I Am WiSER, a global campaign from Masdar's Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform, aims to increase support for women leading the fight against climate change and persuade world leaders to move forward with plans to create a more inclusive and sustainable future.
According to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 5 and 7, which seek to "achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls," and "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all," the campaign encourages policymakers, business leaders, and individuals to take the #IAmWiSER pledge to support women as agents of sustainable change.
According to UN Women, women and girls are particularly affected by climate change on a global scale. This is because it exacerbates already-existing gender disparities and presents particular risks to their livelihoods, health, and safety.
Five influential women who are currently advancing the sustainability agenda on a global scale have endorsed the #IAmWiSER campaign, including Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent UAE Representative to the UN; Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for SEforALL, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy; Peggy Choi, Founder and CEO of global knowledge-sharing platform, Lynk; and Alexandra Palt, Executive Vice-President Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer of L’Oréal and Executive Vice-President of the Fondation L’Oréal.
One of the top renewable energy firms in the world, Masdar, whose CEO is Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, stated: "Masdar has long acknowledged the vital role women must play in creating a sustainable future. We are honoured to invite our partners from all over the world to join us in #IAmWiSER in ensuring that women have an equal voice in our shared transition to clean energy.
Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Masdar Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives, and WiSER Program Director, said: “WiSER recognizes, inspires and empowers women to become leaders and change agents in driving sustainable development for all. The “#IAmWiSER campaign will enable us to reach a broader audience and provide a clear call for action for women and those who support them around the world. We look forward to translating these pledges from policymakers, thought leaders, business experts and engaged individuals around the world into concrete progress.”
Palt said: “#IAmWiSER is about celebrating the achievements of women who have worked tirelessly to build a more sustainable future for their communities and our planet. It is also, just as importantly, about inspiring and empowering future generations to follow in their footsteps. Because women are an extremely powerful engine of change and key to social and ecological progress.”
The #IAmWiser pledge, which states: “I am committed to championing women as agents of sustainable change” is available on the Masdar website. After that, signatories will receive instructions on how to share their promise on social media using an automatically created link.
In November, WiSER will host attendees at its booth in the UAE Pavilion at the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC COP 27), which will be held in Egypt. Visitors will be encouraged to make the #IAmWiser pledge at this location.
