Women are key players in the circular economy but remain confined to low-value roles. Achieving a just transition requires gender equity in design, innovation, and leadership.
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The transition to a circular economy, which requires a fundamental shift in the world’s production and consumption patterns, cannot be achieved without women’s participation, decision-making, and leadership. Research indicates that women are more inclined towards the principles of the circular economy than men and are more likely to recycle, minimise waste, champion sustainable consumption, and lead community-driven solutions. Studies show they are more sensitive to ecological, environmental, and health concerns. It is fitting that the resurgence of the circular economy movement is attributed to Ellen MacArthur, whose experiences as a sailor exposed her to the devastating impact of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems. These experiences inspired her to found the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which has been pivotal in promoting circular approaches to resource use and waste reduction among governments and businesses globally.
Even though women are at the heart of the circular economy, they are disproportionately represented in low-value-added, informal, and end-of-pipe circular economy activities, such as recycling, reuse, and waste management, due to gender biases and perceived roles of women in society. Women’s participation in higher value-added circular economy activities, including the design and innovation of circular products and the adoption of advanced technologies, has been negligible. However, reports demonstrate that innovative firms tend to be more circular when women hold leadership positions.
The transition to a circular economy, which requires a fundamental shift in the world’s production and consumption patterns, cannot be achieved without women’s participation, decision-making, and leadership.
According to a 2023 survey by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)—which collected data from 607 women across 75 countries on ‘women in the global waste management sector’—women are overrepresented in the lower-value roles in the sector and underrepresented in high-value activities such as design or management of advanced technologies. Most survey respondents reported they face additional challenges in balancing unpaid care responsibilities with paid work, highlighting how gender norms shape women’s participation in the circular economy.
With this year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Combatting Plastic Pollution’, it is crucial to acknowledge the centrality of women in envisioning a just transition to the circular economy. Apart from the environmental concerns, their involvement is a double-edged sword. On one hand, women are dependent on it for their livelihood. On the other hand, they face disproportionate impacts from plastic pollution, including health risks, poor working conditions, and low wages, while remaining largely confined to informal positions.
Therefore, to ensure a just transition is truly ‘just’, it calls for a stronger participation of women across the entire circular economy spectrum and not only in activities associated with the informal sector with low value-added roles.
Although there are strong calls for circularity in combating plastic pollution, locating women at the heart of this transition is imperative. The potential benefits of a circular economy transition are significant. Studies estimate that by 2040, circularity could reduce ocean plastic leakage by 80 percent, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent, create 700,000 jobs, and save US$200 billion annually. However, without gender-specific interventions, these benefits may bypass women and reinforce existing inequalities. Therefore, to ensure a just transition is truly ‘just’, it calls for a stronger participation of women across the entire circular economy spectrum and not only in activities associated with the informal sector with low value-added roles.
Green jobs within circular economies offer a pathway for inclusive economic growth. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that six million new jobs could be generated globally by 2030 through circular economy efforts. Globally, women make up an average of just 32 percent of the clean energy workforce, and it is even lower in some regions, such as India, standing at only 11 percent. Moreover, about two-thirds of the 14 million green jobs are in Asia, with men making up 85 percent of the green workforce. This can be attributed to the lack of investment towards women, which relegates them to low-skilled and low-value roles.
On the contrary, investing in women has far-reaching economic and social benefits. Findings suggest that women reinvest up to 90 percent of their incomes into family and welfare, compared to 35 percent by men. Moreover, a 2023 study suggests closing the gender gap in emerging economies in the Global South could raise global economic activity by over 7 percent, translating into a US$7 trillion boost to the global economy.
Several key actions are essential in ensuring a gender-inclusive circular economy.
Substantial investment is needed to build the capacities of women and girls through education and re-skilling, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, to ensure equitable participation at all levels in the circular economy.
First, investments in education and skill development for women. About 85 percent of green skills training is provided to men, while over 90 percent of women report that social norms limit their participation in such training. Substantial investment is needed to build the capacities of women and girls through education and re-skilling, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, to ensure equitable participation at all levels in the circular economy.
Second, addressing the digital divide in waste management. Pilot projects in Brazil demonstrate that extending women’s access to such technologies have a positive impact on women in recycling co-operatives.. Formulating policies that enable women to access and use advanced technologies will help them transition from low-skill informal roles to higher-value positions within the circular economy and tackle waste management more effectively.
Third, the lack of gender-disaggregated data in circular economy planning leads policies to overlook women’s specific health risks and economic contributions. Mandating the collection and use of gender-disaggregated data will ensure that interventions are better tailored to meet women’s needs, while leveraging their vital roles in the just transition.
Fourth, gender-responsive climate finance accounts for only 2 percent of total climate finance flows, despite being critical to supporting women’s participation in the circular economy. Integrating gender budgeting and tracking systems and adopting a gender-responsive co-financing approach will improve gender outcomes across sectors.
Finally, women’s participation in decision-making and governance must be mainstreamed in the circular economy design. This includes integrating gender perspectives into policy design, implementation, monitoring frameworks, and ensuring women’s representation in governance bodies and advisory panels.
Sunaina Kumar is a Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.
Sharon Sarah Thawaney is the Executive Assistant to the Director of Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata and CNED, Nilanjan Ghosh.
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Sunaina Kumar is Director - CNED and Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. She previously served as Executive Director at Think20 India Secretariat under ...
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Sharon Sarah Thawaney is the Executive Assistant to the Director - ORF Kolkata and CNED, Dr. Nilanjan Ghosh. She holds a Master of Social Work ...
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