Bridging the Gap: Unlocking the Synergy Between Gender and Climate Action in Central Asia 

By Binbin Wang, Holly Huo, C Force Lab, Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Peking University

In November 2025 in Bishkek, the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program’s Women’s Business Forum (WBF) highlighted a pressing reality: in Central Asia, the fight against climate change is deeply intertwined with the pursuit of gender equality. The discussions revealed both persistent barriers and emerging opportunities at the intersection of policy, business, and grassroots action, offering a roadmap for the region’s sustainable future.

Despite strong commitments, several challenges continue to hinder progress. A staggering data gap makes the gendered impacts of climate change largely invisible. According to a 2025 UNFPA and UN Women report, no country globally has comprehensive data on all gender-specific indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals. In Central Asia, information on women’s unpaid care work, economic participation in green sectors, and climate-related gender-based violence is inconsistent, leaving policymakers without the insights needed for targeted, effective interventions.

Women entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas, face substantial barriers to scaling green businesses. Initiatives such as Kyrgyz Republic’s Ishker-Aiym credit and “social contract” scheme have made progress, yet traditional financial institutions often perceive climate-tech ventures as high-risk. For women-led businesses, this bias compounds the challenge.

While high-level pledges are made, including a joint commitment by five Central Asian countries to advance gender equality in February 2025, translating them into coordinated, on-the-ground action is slow. Climate policy is often designed in an environmental silo, while gender equality is seen as a social issue. This lack of integration means that climate adaptation programs might be rolled out without considering women’s specific vulnerabilities and knowledge, rendering them less effective.

Despite these hurdles, Central Asia is well-positioned to lead in gender-responsive climate action. Political will is on the rise. The CAREC Gender and Green Innovation Awards 2025 highlighted innovative solutions that integrate green technology with gender equality. Kyrgyz Republic’s landmark law in January 2025 that legally defines and recognizes women’s entrepreneurship is a game-changer, paving the way for more targeted support mechanisms.

The narrative around women is also shifting. They are increasingly recognized as agents of change, not merely victims of climate impacts. Training programs in the Kyrgyz Republic, where women now comprise 45 percent of climate-responsive water management trainees, show how women’s participation enhances resource negotiation and conflict resolution.

Digital tools and fintech present further opportunities to overcome structural barriers. Mobile banking and fintech solutions tailored for women-led green SMEs provide new avenues for access to finance and markets, promising to accelerate climate resilience.

Effective solutions require coordinated efforts across policymakers, businesses, and international actors. Governments can mandate gender-responsive climate budgeting to ensure national funds directly benefit women and integrate gender perspectives across sectors, following models like climate-responsive, gender-sensitive basin management projects.

Businesses and investors can establish green-gender investment funds to support women-led sustainability ventures while leveraging corporate procurement to prioritize women-owned suppliers aligned with green and circular economy principles.

International actors and NGOs play a critical role in closing the data gap through initiatives like the regional program “Empowering Equality,” which strengthens gender data systems. They can also facilitate cross-border knowledge sharing among women eco-entrepreneurs to build a robust regional community of practice.

The CAREC Women’s Business Forum underscored a crucial insight: addressing gender and climate separately leads to incomplete solutions. By empowering women with finance, tools, and policy support, Central Asia can harness one of its most underutilized resources in the fight against climate change. With national programs and regional commitments gaining traction, bridging the gap between ambition and action is critical. The future of the region, and the effectiveness of its climate response, depends on this synergy.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the CAREC Program or its partner organizations.