Background and Rationale
Pakistan ranks among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, facing escalating challenges such as floods, droughts, water scarcity, extreme heat, and food insecurity. These impacts disproportionately affect women and girls due to systemic gender inequalities, limited access to resources, and exclusion from decision-making processes.
Despite these challenges, women across Pakistan are at the forefront of climate action — restoring ecosystems, advancing sustainable agriculture, strengthening community resilience, and shaping climate policy and advocacy. Yet, their leadership and contributions often remain underrepresented in mainstream discourse and national policy frameworks.
Recognizing this gap, the Gender Climate Award 2026 – Pakistan seeks to celebrate, amplify, and support the voices and achievements of women who are driving transformative change in response to the climate crisis.
The Gender Climate Award 2026, implemented by the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change and supported by the Embassy of France in Pakistan, UNDP Pakistan, UN Women, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, and The Agha Khan Development Network, seeks to shine light on women and recognize their contributions as equal partners in change.
The dynamic women of Pakistan are working in diverse fields that range from civil society, academia, scientific enquiry, to media, technology, innovation, public policy, and beyond. The purpose of the award is to give an opportunity to women to showcase their contributions and share their achievements with a wider audience. Award Objective
The Gender Climate Award- 2026 aims to:
• Recognize outstanding contributions by women addressing climate change and environmental challenges across Pakistan.
• Promote inclusive and gender-responsive climate solutions at local, provincial, and national levels.
• Encourage women’s participation and leadership in climate policy, planning, and governance.
• Showcase inspiring success stories to foster learning, action, and replication across sectors.
• Contribute to national commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) — and Pakistan’s Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP).Climate Leadership Categories for GCA 2026 Award
1. Women in Community Climate Action
Recognizing grassroots women leaders implementing impactful climate adaptation or mitigation initiatives within their communities.
2. Climate Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship
Highlighting women who are driving scientific, technological, or research-based solutions to address climate and environmental challenges.
3. Women in Climate Policy and Governance
Honoring women who have played a significant role in shaping climate-related policies, frameworks, or institutional strategies in government, academia, or civil society.
4. Youth Climate Champion (Under 30)
Celebrating young women who have demonstrated innovation, activism, or leadership in advancing climate justice, sustainability, or environmental stewardship.
5. Media and Storytelling for Climate Advocacy
Recognizing women using journalism, film, digital platforms, or creative arts to raise awareness, influence behavior, and promote gender-inclusive climate action.
Evaluation Criteria
- Impact: Demonstrated positive environmental, social, economic, and policy impact.
- Inclusion: Promotion of women, girls, diversity, and disability.
- Innovation: Use of creative, scientific, or novel approaches.
- Scalability: Potential for replication and expansion of the initiative.
- Sustainability: long-term viability of the initiative.
Selection Criteria
Eligibility Criteria for the Climate Leadership Gender Award 2026:
- Open to all women playing a role in climate leadership
- Experience: The applicant should have a history of minimum five years of demonstrated work and documented impact.
- Nationwide Eligibility: The Gender Climate Award 2026 is open only to women living and working in Pakistan, aiming to foster a diverse and inclusive representation of climate and gender initiatives nationwide.
Not Eligible
- Governmental Initiatives: Initiatives led by local, provincial, or national governments are not eligible.
- Previous Winners: Previous winners of the Gender Climate Award are Not Eligible for consideration.
Prize Money
- The Gender Climate Award 2026 will honor two outstanding winners, each receiving a cash prize of PKR 1 million
- Winners will be asked to share a roadmap for utilizing the award money and providing activity updates that demonstrate the optimal use of the award money in supporting and deepening their role as agents of change.
