How Women are Shaping the Future of Sustainability

Women are at the forefront of sustainability, translating ambition into action across climate, circularity and community impact. 

Together, women can offer an honest look at the realities of leading in a fast-evolving field, where science-based targets meet operational constraints and near-term results must align with long-term resilience.

Women in sustainability can show why diverse perspectives are indispensable in solving complex global challenges, from supply chain transformation to the decarbonisation of travel and logistics.

Why women’s leadership matters

Women leaders are advancing sustainability through systems thinking and inclusive, data-driven execution. 

They navigate barriers, representation gaps, legacy models and fragmented value chains, by building coalitions, elevating transparency and turning circularity and regeneration into business-as-usual. 

The result is faster adoption of clean energy, responsible sourcing and product innovation; stronger supplier engagement and accountability; and cultures that move from pledges to measurable progress. 

The United Nations (UN) states that, in wealthier societies, women drive 70-80% of all consumer purchasing decisions, leading the transition to more sustainable lifestyles. 

Data from the UN also shows that women are more likely to recycle, minimise waste, buy organic food and eco-labelled products and save water and energy in the household – leading behaviour change and consumer attitudes to drive change across sectors.

“At the political level, research shows clear linkages between women’s leadership and action to tackle climate change, “ says the UN.

“For example, studies have found that countries with higher proportions of women in parliament are more likely to ratify international environmental treaties and have stricter climate policies.”

In short, when women lead, sustainability sticks, embedded in products, policies, partnerships and everyday decisions.

A women’s panel discussion

At Sustainability LIVE Climate Week NYC, 22 September 2025, a Women in Sustainability panel discussion will be taking place, bringing together diverse leaders who are driving sustainability and innovation.

Mary de Wysocki, Chief Sustainability Officer, Cisco Systems aims to bring a blueprint for value‑chain net zero by 2040, decarbonising networks, buildings and data centres.

Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer, Colgate-Palmolive can discuss scaled execution on circular packaging and environmental and consumer impact.

Ayla Bajwa, Senior Vice President, Sustainability, DP World could explain logistics and ports' lens to deep decarbonisation across global trade hubs.

Kate Heiny, Vice President of Sustainability, Booking Holdings aims to explain platform‑level influence to make sustainable travel choices easier and more transparent.

Sheri Hinish, Founder, Supply Chain Queen, Supply Chain Revolution brings the discussion on disruptive systems‑level leadership, circular economies, ESG and “new school” supply chains. 

Sophie Beckham, Chief Sustainability Officer, International Paper aims to explain nature‑positive, fibre‑based circularity to advance responsible forest stewardship, low‑carbon manufacturing and sustainable packaging at scale.

To attend this panel and many more at Sustainability LIVE Climate Week NYC 2025, get your tickets now here: https://sustainabilitymag.com/events/sustainability-live/sustainability-live-climate-week-nyc-2025/in-person-tickets 

Companies turning ambition into impact

Across their organisations, the outcomes are tangible.

Cisco’s Plan for Possible targets net zero across its value chain by 2040, aims for 100% of new products and packaging to follow Circular Design Principles by 2025.

Cisco is also aiming to commit US$100m through the Cisco Foundation to climate solutions, while decarbonising data centres, smart buildings and network infrastructure. 

Colgate-Palmolive reports 93% of packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable; a VPPA expected to cover roughly 60% of Europe-based operational electricity; recyclable toothpaste tubes in 70+ countries and a transition to paper-based toothbrush packaging beginning in 2025. 

The company’s aim is to link healthier people and pets with a smaller environmental footprint by cutting emissions, eliminating waste, reducing plastic, saving water and conserving resources.

DP World’s Our World, Our Future strategy is driving trade to net zero, with a 13% emissions reduction since its 2022 baseline and SBTi-validated targets to cut emissions 42% by 2030.

The company also has initiatives to enhance education, water and community resilience. 

Booking Holdings’ three-pillar strategy, Sustainable Operations, More Sustainable Travel and a Sustainable Industry, includes SBTi-validated targets and a 2040 net zero ambition, helping millions make more sustainable travel choices.

The Supply Chain Revolution equips practitioners to redesign “take-make-waste” systems through a global community and podcast focused on circularity and inclusive leadership. 

International Paper’s Vision 2030 advances forest stewardship, climate and water action and renewable fiber-based solutions for a circular economy, an effort strengthened by the 2025 addition of DS Smith. 

Together, these leaders and companies demonstrate how inclusive leadership converts sustainability from strategy into sustained impact.