Women’s role in the high-integrity voluntary carbon market

In recent years, gender has rightfully received more attention as a critical topic in the context of the voluntary carbon market (VCM). As the market grows, so does the need to ensure that it not only addresses environmental goals but also promotes social equity. Social safeguards – practices that ensure projects ‘Do No Harm’ and benefit the most vulnerable stakeholders – are now recognised as essential to the integrity of the VCM.

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also crucial for a Just Transition to net zero, and a key pillar of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Integrating gender equity into the VCM in the form of actions and policies that enable women to participate, benefit and lead can amplify both the effectiveness and social impact of projects.

Why Does Gender Matter in the VCM?

Women are disproportionately impacted by climate change, yet they are essential actors in climate mitigation and adaptation, with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to drive more effective and sustainable climate solutions. In rural and Indigenous communities especially, women play a vital role in natural resource management. However, disparities in access to land, decision-making and finances often leave them sidelined from carbon markets.

The UNREDD Program identifies significant socio-economic and cultural barriers that limit women’s participation in the forestry sector, leading to their underrepresentation in capacity-building initiatives tied to carbon crediting projects. Gender inequalities in land tenure and ownership further perpetuate disparities, particularly in benefit-sharing schemes for carbon projects.

This gender gap not only undermines the success of carbon projects but also exacerbates global inequalities, creating a cycle that jeopardises both environmental and social outcomes.

Recent global dialogues and research stress the importance of integrating gender equity into carbon markets to achieve stronger climate outcomes. We must actively involve women as key actors and leaders in governance, standards-setting, and verification processes.

Recent Work in Gender and the VCM

Awareness of the importance of gender equality within the VCM has significantly increased, and multiple actors are now working to integrate gender into the market’s frameworks and projects.

Bodies such as the W+ Standard from WOCAN (Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management) provide gender-responsive certification by measuring the impact of projects on women’s empowerment in sectors like agriculture and forestry. This approach ensures that carbon projects go further than “Do No Harm,” by actively contributing to women’s economic independence and social inclusion.

Collaborative efforts have also led to the creation of tools and guides for project developers. For instance, the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) program, in partnership with UK Aid and PwC, launched the Practical Guidance for Project Developers in the VCM. This guide offers clear steps, activities, and resources to support developers in delivering carbon credits that benefit all genders, emphasising the integration of gender equity into all project stages and showcasing best practice through case studies.

Organisations like UNREDD’s Gender Group work to ensure that gender-responsive approaches are integrated into forest governance and REDD+ projects. Their focus on breaking down barriers to information access and decision-making for women is crucial for creating more inclusive projects in forestry and land-use sectors, where many nature-based carbon initiatives are centred.

Innovative tools like the WOCAN Buyers Guide are also connecting gender-responsive projects with investors who prioritise social impacts, creating pathways for women-led or gender-equitable projects to gain visibility and financial support within the VCM.

Efforts by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other standards bodies are helping to elevate the role of women in the climate finance ecosystem, creating greater opportunities for women-led businesses and projects to access carbon markets.

These examples demonstrate not only the critical relevance of gender in climate action but also the wealth of knowledge and resources that exist to foster meaningful change, offering hope for a more equitable future for the VCM.

Our work on Gender in the VCM

The Integrity Council recognises that gender equality is fundamental to the integrity and success of the VCM. In its commitment to this goal, the Integrity Council has embedded gender-responsive practices into its standards. Within the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs), gender equality is specifically outlined as a key criterion (7.8) under the Sustainable Development and Safeguards principle. This ensures CCP-eligible and CCP-approved credits uphold gender integrity, sending a clear signal to the carbon market: gender equity practices are non-negotiable.

The recent Continuous Improvement Work Program on Sustainable Development and Safeguards has prioritised discussions on enhancing existing criteria within the Assessment Framework, with gender being a focal point. This commitment underscores the Integrity Council’s recognition of gender equality as a critical component of effective climate action, and our dedication to continually improving our understanding of the barriers to gender equality and opportunities to empower women within the carbon market.

The Integrity Council is committed to working closely with gender experts to foster a VCM that goes beyond safeguarding women, actively empowering them. By championing initiatives led by accomplished professionals and promoting gender-responsive actions, the Integrity Council aims to create an ethical and scalable carbon market, driving long-term positive impact for everyone.

Our Learnings from key initiatives

Recent work we been involved in, including the WOW guidelines and the Integrity Council’s gender-focused event at NYCW, offers valuable insights into gender equity and its role in fostering sustainable carbon projects.

Key takeaways include:

Gender Equity as a Driver of Effectiveness

Including women and marginalized groups in decision-making and resource management directly enhances the success of carbon projects. Empowering women through direct access to carbon finance and acknowledging their expertise in natural resource management strengthens projects and communities, enhancing the resilience of carbon markets.

Co-Benefits of Gender Inclusivity

Integrating gender considerations into the VCM yields numerous co-benefits, supporting multiple SDGs, including gender equality (SDG 5), poverty reduction (SDG 1), and climate action (SDG 13). Gender-inclusive projects can mitigate emissions while promoting social and economic well-being. Such projects attract responsible investments, as buyers increasingly seek assurance that their credits support socially impactful initiatives. This integration fosters buyer confidence, ensuring meaningful contributions to climate and social justice.

Shifting the Narrative

The conversation around women in the VCM is evolving. Harnessing the full potential of the VCM means moving beyond principles of “Do No Harm”, to active empowerment. The focus is on how to actively benefit and support women as leaders in climate action. By fostering an environment where women are not just protected, but positioned as leaders, the carbon market can unlock more sustainable, impactful and effective solutions that advance both social and climate goals.

The Future of Gender in the VCM

As the VCM evolves, addressing gender issues must remain a central focus to ensure fair, inclusive, and effective climate action. Although progress has been made in integrating gender considerations into carbon credit standards and project design, much work still lies ahead.

Ongoing challenges in the VCM include the need for greater representation of women across all levels, including project developers, buyers, policymakers, and other decision-makers. Women often face limited access to financial resources for leading climate initiatives, a challenge further compounded for women and minorities within Indigenous and/or local communities. Empowering women through tailored capacity-building programs—particularly in STEM fields and climate finance—is essential for their active participation. Additionally, there is a need for more data and research to understand the specific barriers women face in the VCM and to create gender-and community-responsive solutions to address these gaps.

The future of gender equality in the VCM will likely be shaped by equity-led, stronger policy frameworks and continued advocacy. Market actors must prioritise gender inclusivity not as an optional add-on but as an integral part of carbon markets, unlocking co-benefits that enhance the sustainability, resilience, and impact of climate initiatives.

Unlocking the Full Potential of the VCM

Gender equality is not only a social imperative but also vital for the success of the VCM.

The path forward for inclusive, equal, and gender-aware carbon markets require collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to integrity. By working together to ensure gender is integrated at every stage of the VCM, we can build a system that not only drives climate action but also uplifts the communities most affected by the climate crisis. The future of the VCM depends on our ability to harness its full power—women’s leadership is the key to unlock it.