From global climate advocacy to organizational leadership, gender inclusion drives stronger solutions

International Women’s Day, celebrated every 8 March, is more than a moment of recognition. It is a reminder of the progress achieved by women around the world and of the work that still remains to be done to ensure equal opportunities, representation, and leadership across all sectors.

In the climate sphere, this date holds particular significance. Climate change is not gender neutral. Women and girls are often disproportionately affected by environmental and socio economic vulnerabilities, yet they are also powerful agents of transformation in their communities and beyond.

This perspective is strongly reflected in the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which emphasizes that women are not only impacted by climate change but are essential contributors to climate solutions. From adaptation and mitigation strategies to community resilience, sustainable resource management, and climate governance, women play a central role in shaping a safer and more sustainable future.

The Women’s Empowerment in Climate initiative promoted within the UNFCCC framework underscores the understanding that the climate transition must integrate social and gender justice. Empowering women in climate action is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic requirement for effective decision making and long term sustainability.

Our women-led climate work at 10 Billion Solutions

Our organization is proudly majority women, bringing together professionals who work across communication, sustainability strategy, and climate engagement. At the leadership level, Mariana Castaño Cano, CEO and Founder of 10 Billion Solutions, shapes the direction of our mission.

Under her leadership, the company has been active in international climate forums such as COP conferences and global sustainability platforms. Our collaborations with organizations including energy companies, urban sustainability initiatives, and communication partners reflect a core conviction: climate solutions must be translated into narratives, policies, and actions that people can trust and understand.

Women in our team contribute from multiple perspectives. Some focus on climate storytelling and strategic communication, others on stakeholder engagement, audiovisual production, or policy translation. This diversity is not incidental. It reflects our understanding that climate challenges are complex and require interdisciplinary approaches.

Inspiring stories from our journey

Our work is also documented through reflections and narratives that connect local roots with global climate dialogue.

In From Almeria to the World: Roots, Communication, and Climate Action, we explored how local identity can become a powerful platform for global sustainability conversations. The article highlights how communication is not simply about disseminating information, but about building emotional and cultural bridges that make climate action relevant to communities. Sustainability solutions succeed when they resonate with people’s experiences, heritage, and everyday realities.

Similarly, in Women Leaders in the Fight Against Climate Change, we celebrated the role of women across sectors who are redefining leadership in the climate transition. The piece emphasizes that women are not only participants in climate discussions but are often pioneers in community-based adaptation, scientific research, advocacy networks, and strategic innovation. Visibility matters. When women leaders are highlighted, younger generations can imagine themselves as part of the climate solution ecosystem.

These stories reflect a consistent message across our work: climate communication must move beyond awareness raising. It must contribute to influence, credibility, and real-world change.

Recognizing impact: mariana castaño cano and the premios mia nomination

We are also very proud to share that Mariana Castaño Cano has been nominated for the Mujeres MIA Awards in the category of activism and social impact.

This nomination recognizes efforts to promote meaningful change through communication, advocacy, and community engagement. It is a reflection of the collective work behind 10 Billion Solutions and the broader mission of supporting climate action through strategic messaging and collaboration.

The awards are now open for public voting, and we invite our community, partners, and readers to support this nomination.

You can learn more about Mariana’s profile and cast your vote here:

• Mariana’s profile
• Voting instructions

Moving forward together

International Women’s Day is a reminder that climate action is not only a technological or policy challenge, but also a social and cultural one. Gender inclusion strengthens innovation, improves decision making, and ensures that climate solutions are designed for the people they are meant to serve.

At 10 Billion Solutions, we continue working to amplify women’s voices in climate communication, support individual and organizational capacity building, and contribute to a more equitable sustainability transition.

We believe that the future of climate action must be shaped by diverse leadership, and we are committed to being part of that change.