Redefining India-EU Cooperation: Women, Resilience and Climate Change

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• July 26, 2025
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Khushboo Sen Dhuruv[1]

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[1] PhD Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

Title:	Redefining India-EU Cooperation: Women, Resilience and Climate Change
Author(s):	Khushboo Sen Dhuruv
Keywords:	Climate Change, Women leadership, Climate resilience, India-EU collaboration
Issue Date:	25 July 2025
Publisher:	IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute
Abstract:	Climate change is a global issue that impacts the entire world. However, due to various vulnerability factors, its effects are not equally distributed. Women are disproportionately affected by climate change, facing heightened threats to their well-being and overall development. These challenges often lead to increased exposure to gender-based violence. Generally, women are primary responders to climate adversity, and their role in helping communities recover and rebuild after disasters makes them the backbone of climate resilience. Therefore, Women’s active participation in discussion, decision-making making and policy shaping on climate change is crucial to achieve effective and inclusive outcomes. In India, where the intersection of gender and environmental vulnerability is profound, rural women bear the brunt of climate impacts. At the same time, the European Union is recognized as a global leader in promoting gender equality and implementing climate action programs. In this context, India-EU bilateral collaboration on climate action presents a meaningful opportunity to promote gender- gender-responsive approach. Such cooperation can actively encourage women’s partnership and leadership in building climate resilience and addressing climate challenges effectively.
Page(s):	16-25
URL:	https://iprr.impriindia.com/redefining-india-eu-cooperation-women-resilience-and-climate-change/
ISSN:	2583-3464 (Online)
PDF Link:	https://iprr.impriindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PP2-Redefining-India-EU-Cooperation_-Khushboo-Sen-IPRR-V4I1-Jan-June-2025.pdf

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Introduction

As the most populous country in the World, India’s economy is heavily reliant on the agriculture sector. According to the Economic Survey 2022–23 conducted by the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs, 65% of the population lives in rural areas, and 47% depend on agriculture for their livelihood (PIB, GOI 2023). Approximately two-thirds of India’s population resides in rural areas, and 80 % of rural women are entirely dependent on agricultural resources.

The agriculture sector, however, is heavily dependent on monsoon patterns. Climate change has disrupted these rainfall patterns, resulting in increased instances of droughts and floods across the country. These environmental transitions have raised serious concerns about food security and sustainability. While also exacerbating complexities for women. Moreover, they have intensified the challenges faced by women, particularly rural women, who are already at the margins of access to resources, decision-making, and support systems. In India, women are affected differently by climate crises depending on their geographical location. The devastating effects of climate change have unevenly impacted women, especially those who live in rural areas.

Gender norms assign different roles and responsibilities for women within households, making them primarily responsible for securing food, fuel, and water for their families. To fulfil these duties, women often travel to distant areas and sometimes cross the unfamiliar territory, increasing their risk of gender-based violence. Rural women’s reliance on natural resources further threatens their quality of life, as these resources become limited due to climate change.

From Climate Change to Crises: Women on the Frontlines

The climate crisis has significantly increased threats to women’s health, safety, and security. During extreme weather conditions, such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, women spend longer hours working in the field, yielding crops, collecting and securing essential resources to prepare food for their families. This heavy workload leads to both physical and mental stress. According to the United Nation’s ‘When extreme weather disasters strike, women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men, mostly due to limited access to information, limited mobility, decision-making, and resources’ (UN Climate Action, n.d.).

Water scarcity is a serious global concern. India, the world’s largest population country with an estimated 1.4 billion people, possesses only 4 % of global water resources and struggles with access to safe drinking water. Around 35 million people lack access to safe water, and 678 million people lack access to safe toilets and sanitation (Water.org n.d.). In most households, women are primarily responsible for collecting and carrying water. Due to persistent water scarcity in rural areas, they travel long distances to fetch water for drinking and cooking, and cleaning purposes. This task not only consumes significant time and energy but also exposes them to health risks. Biologically, women are more prone to be affected by waterborne diseases, and according to CSIS research 21 % of communicable diseases in India are directly linked to unsafe water (CSIS 2024).

Urban and rural women are disproportionately affected by excessive heat due to its physical, social, and financial impacts. Approximately 60 % of India’s population relies on traditional sources of energy. In rural areas, traditional cooking practices using such as firewood, coal, and cow-dung cakes traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, and cow-dung cakes expose women to harmful smoke and excessive heat, posing serious health risks, including respiratory issues and heat-related illnesses. Moreover, limited access to basic amenities such as electricity, fans, and refrigerators in rural regions further increases women’s vulnerability to extreme heat. These conditions severely compromise their health, safety, and overall well-being (World Bank Blog, 2024).

In gender- gender-biased societal structure, women are already at risk, which jeopardizes their equality, security, and integrity. Women are the victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment, and their vulnerability is exaggerated during severe climate crises, which expose them to increased physical and mental stress. In addition, due to extreme poverty and their dependency on agriculture, women in rural areas often suffer from malnutrition and are susceptible to infections and diseases. This is largely a result of the lack of basic essentials and healthcare services in remote regions. As women are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, facing its effects and leading many community-based responses and therefore their active participation is essential for effectively addressing and mitigating these challenges.

 The Government of India has made several efforts through national-level flagship initiatives to address these challenges and mitigate their impact to some extent. The Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana, launched under the Clean Cooking Scheme, aims to provide ‘deposit-free LPG connections to women from poor households’ (MPNG, GOI n.d.). This initiative is a significant step toward reducing women’s exposure to harmful gases by using traditional methods of cooking. To tackle issues related to water scarcity and sanitation, the implementation of Jal Shakti Abhiyan, with the tagline “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls,” encourages women’s participation in water conservation efforts. (Ministry of Jal Shakti, GOI n.d.).

Furthermore, to address persistent issues in rural areas, such as a lack of proper toilets, inadequate menstrual hygiene, and limited access to sanitary essentials, the government launched the Clean India Mission (Swachh Bharat Abhiyan) in 2014. The mission focuses on creating women-friendly toilets, promoting menstrual hygiene, and providing subsidized sanitary napkins in rural India under the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS, 2016). Climate change poses significant challenges for the government in establishing gender inclusive policies that bring women into the mainstream structure of climate resilience. However, the integrated-national level initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to empowering women by addressing the impact of climate change on their health, sanitation, and resource management. Therefore, placing women at the center of policymaking is crucial for building an inclusive and effective approach to climate resilience.

Empowering Women: Leadership for Climate Resilience

The term climate resilience is defined as ‘the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate. Improving climate resilience involves assessing how climate change will create new, or alter current, climate-related risks, and taking steps to better cope with these risks (C2ES, n.d.).

The concept of resilience is often used interchangeably with climate mitigation and climate adaptation, though they each serve distinct roles. Climate mitigation emphasizes reducing the causes and impact of climate change, such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Climate adaptation focuses on understanding the adverse effects of climate change and taking proactive steps to prepare for and minimize those effects. In contrast, resilience refers to the building of ‘actual capacity to prepare for these effects, particularly the capacity to “bounce back” from dangerous climate-related events’ (DLA Piper, 2023).

The question arises, why is women’s leadership important in climate resilience? Because women play various roles in society as “farmers, workers, consumers, household managers, activists, leaders, and entrepreneurs”. Their multiple roles make them true leaders of climate action, particularly because they are the ones who are disproportionately affected by climate adversities and face increased vulnerabilities due to entrenched gendered social dynamics.

There is a direct link between gender equality and leadership in climate resilience. Climate challenges impact not only women’s household responsibilities but also their health, education, and quality of life. Women are often the first responders in times of crisis, and their involvement in recovery and rebuilding efforts positions them as key leaders in resilience and women’s empowerment.  Yet, despite their diverse and vital contributions to national development and economic growth, women’s voices have been systematically ignored in decision-making structures (United Nations, n.d.).

Women are widely regarded as effective leaders in climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation, and because of their collective and community-oriented nature, they are still underrepresented in mainstream climate discourse. With traditional knowledge and strong adaptability, women serve as “innovators and guardians of India’s ecological heritage” (Down to Earth, 2023). Despite their diverse roles and invaluable contribution to nation-building, and their leadership in “post-disaster recovery,” women continued to ‘excluded from mainstream discussion on climate resilience and disaster management. Their limited involvement in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of climate policies highlights the urgent need for “feminist climate justice,” an intersectional framework that is based on four dimensions (UN Women, 2024, p. 4). Why are women the backbone of climate resilience? Women’s leadership fosters empowerment among other women through mentorship, collaboration, and shared experience. As the best leaders in management, women provide guidance and critical support, helping other women navigate the complexities of climate challenges.

Women’s leadership in shaping climate resilience policies plays a pivotal role in encouraging other women’s participation and passing gender-sensitive laws and policies to build capacity to reduce the gendered impacts of climate crises. Women hold a significant role as “consumers, workers, political and business leaders,” influencing sustainable behaviors and promoting resilience through eco-conscious attitudes.

As key agents of sustainability across various sectors. Women significantly influence consumer purchasing decisions, often favoring eco-friendly options and sustainable lifestyles, which directly contributes to environmental protection.

Politically, countries with higher female representation in parliament tend to adopt more effective climate change policies and empower women to confront environmental challenges. In the corporate sector, women help to bridge gaps in gender diversity, climate performance, and innovation, particularly in renewable energy and energy efficiency, with a strong presence in advancing solar energy solutions (UN, n.d.). Thus, to drive a meaningful change in society, 30 % women’s leadership is important for influencing any decision-making processes. Therefore, building for a sustainable future depends on women women-inclusive, climate-resilient approach that recognizes women not just as beneficiaries, but as key agents and leaders in addressing climate challenges.

Climate change poses a significant challenge for the government in establishing gender inclusive policies that effectively bring women into the mainstream structure of climate resilience. Women, who are among the most adversely affected by climate change, have different needs and preferences. Therefore, their inclusion in climate resilience governance is essential, not only to promote women’s empowerment but also to strengthen their leadership in shaping climate change and energy policies.  The Government of India provides the provision of seats for women in Rural and Urban local governance within the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. Under the provision, 50% of seats are reserved for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal bodies.

This reservation promotes women’s empowerment by increasing political awareness and involvement in decision-making and policymaking in the administration. Integrating a climate resilience approach into local governance structures, also with promoting training programs to women and girls in key focus areas such as water harvesting, sanitation awareness, effective use of energy, and pre-disaster preparedness, can help to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change to some extent. Therefore, inclusive and locally relevant efforts are essential for promoting adaptation and building resilience to the climate crisis in both rural and urban regions.

However, there remains a critical need for a broader policy framework that directly addresses the gendered impacts of the climate crisis. Climate change not only produces vulnerabilities for women but also increases intersectional disparities based on caste, class, and sexuality (LGBTIQ+ identities), which influence their socio-economic status. Within the existing social inequalities, caste-based discrimination, particularly against marginalized and Dalit communities, lowered their adaptive capacities and heightened societal vulnerability.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive approach and strong gender-responsive commitment that addresses the gender-differentiated effects of climate change across diverse groups. In this context, India’s collaboration with the European Union (EU) offers a broader scope to adopt and implement gender gender-inclusive approach in climate resilience. Such cooperation can promote gender equality in climate action initiatives for sustainable and effective outcomes through inclusive policy platforms and shared commitments.

India-EU Collaboration: Current Landscape and Future Prospects

Two major global actors and strategic partners, India and the EU, are strong advocates of the shared commitments underlying the principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. Despite of geographical distance and cultural differences, their active engagement in the discussion of environmental issues, reflects a deepening collaboration. Both partners are closely working together on climate related issues, strengthening bilateral ties and their expanding cooperation to advance a sustainable development agenda for the future.

The relationship between India and the EU began in the early 1960s with India establishing formal ties with the European Economic Community (now the EU) in 1962. Since then, the relationship has expanded and undergone a significant transformation following the creation of the European Union in 1993. A more substantial phase of engagement emerged with the launch of the EU-India Strategic Partnership in 2004, which marked a turning point in their bilateral relations. This strategic partnership recognized the importance of discussion on environmental issues and increasingly favored a gender inclusive approach to addressing the climate change crisis.

The EU supports India’s flagship initiatives, including Clean India, river development and Ganga Rejuvenation, and Make in India. This support has expanded into broader cooperation through a joint working Group on the environment and a multi-stakeholder forum focusing on the key areas such as clean water, air, waste management, and urbanization. The India-EU bilateral partnership on “climate and clean energy” emphasizes the objective of ‘ensuring a secure, clean, affordable and reliable energy supply for all, as required for sustainable economic growth, and of mitigating and adapting to climate change’ (Council of European Union, 2016). The partnership promotes cooperation in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, smart grids, and clean coal technologies to enhance energy security (European Council 2016).

Additionally, under the EU Horizon 2020 Research Project, the EU has supported seven research projects in India, particularly focused on the water sector. Through these initiatives, India is receiving financial and technological support from the EU in areas of wastewater treatment, sharing technology on safe drinking water, and monitoring and control systems of water distribution (EEAS, 2019). As two committed partners, India and the EU share a mutual understanding and play a central role in international efforts to tackle climate change. Their bilateral cooperation on climate action provides an opportunity for further advancing their relations by integrating gender perspectives into climate strategies and by bringing women into the core of climate discussions and collaborative efforts.

The EU is regarded as a champion of gender equality and climate action programs. Therefore, India’s cooperation with the EU presents a platform to promote a gender-responsive approach in addressing the challenges of climate change by incorporating women’s participation and encouraging leadership in climate policy and action. Within the framework of their bilateral partnership, promoting women’s participation in areas of “connectivity, clean energy and climate, water, smart and sustainable urbanization, and disaster management” can significantly build women’s capacity to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from the adverse impacts of climate change. Moreover, intensifying cooperation in emerging areas such as green hydrogen, offshore wind, solar energy, sustainable urban mobility, aviation, and railway will further create opportunities for women to engage in innovative solutions and become central to climate resilience and energy transition strategies (European Commission, 2025, p. 11).

Therefore, this is a pressing need of the time to redefine India-EU collaboration by incorporating women in the Clean Energy and Climate Partnership, International Solar Alliance, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Integrating women into such key areas will not only create a gender just framework but also significantly enhance women’s leadership in climate resilience. There is substantial scope for expanding India’s collaboration with the EU by placing women at the center of ongoing and future initiatives, including offshore wind energy, the Green Hydrogen Forum, cGanga, the Water Resources Group, and global platforms like COP28. Incorporating gender perspectives into these projects will open up opportunities to address existing policy gaps and promote more inclusive, effective, and equitable climate solutions.

Accordingly, the EU should increase collaboration and funding for organizations such as “Self-Employed Women Association (SEWA)”, a women-led initiative that promotes sustainable farming, contributes to clean energy, and empowers rural women in disaster risk reduction. Similarly, India and the EU must expand their cooperation on initiatives like Women in Solar Energy (WISE), which encourages and empowers women to take on leadership roles in the renewable energy sector.

To address the gender gap in climate governance, the India-EU partnership needs more focused projects that bridge the gender gap and strengthen women’s leadership in climate resilience. It This high time for a committed gender-inclusive climate action approach from both sides that prioritizes women’s participation and leadership roles in all stages of formulation, implementation, and evaluation of climate resilience. Thus, “empowering women to participate in climate action is not just an ethical imperative, it is a strategic necessity for building a resilient and sustainable” (AVPN, 2024).

Conclusion

Women are crucial leaders in shaping a climate-resilient and sustainable future. Their leadership in mainstream decision-making on climate resilience not only brings diverse perspectives but also inspires rural women by promoting more laws and policies to build the capacity to reduce the gender-specific impact of climate crises. Including women at the core of climate change policymaking creates opportunities to strengthen their leadership in climate action and promote equitable, sustainable climate solutions to address the gender-specific impacts of climate change and advance equitable, sustainable solutions. These efforts directly address how climate change affects women differently, particularly in vulnerable communities.

A women-centric approach in climate resilience policies and governance is essential, not merely because women are sensitive to climate effects, but because women are powerful agents of change. Through their leadership, women can drive transformation within communities, contribute to national development, and represent a voice on international platforms, ensuring no one is left behind. 

EU-India collaboration on gender equality and climate must focus on implementing programs, projects, and initiatives that train women, promote their active participation, and support their ideas. Providing financial assistance and resources is vital to empowering women in addressing gender-biased climate challenges. Expanding women’s roles in shaping climate policies can have a transformative impact on a larger scale. Women leaders empower other women by building community resilience, promoting knowledge-sharing, and preparing collectively for the adverse effects of climate change. Now is the time to mainstream women’s involvement in the climate and energy sectors, especially in renewable energy.

This has to understand that integrating gender equality into climate action is not just a matter of justice, but a necessity for effective and lasting climate solutions. Thus, strengthening India-EU cooperation on climate action must prioritize gender-responsive strategies that focus on prevention, mitigation, and preparedness for climate-related adversities affecting women.

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