Gender equality and nature-positive development are deeply interconnected and progress on one accelerates progress on the other. As countries confront the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation, there is growing recognition that sustainable solutions must also address the structural inequalities shaping people’s access to resources, decision-making, finance, technology, and opportunities.

Drawing on lessons and promising practices from UNDP’s nature portfolio across Asia and the Pacific, this Reference Note offers practitioners a practical roadmap for integrating gender equality into environmental action in ways that are strategic, transformative, and results-oriented. It moves beyond viewing women solely as a vulnerable group, highlighting instead their vital roles as environmental stewards, innovators, leaders, and agents of change whose knowledge, leadership, and contributions are critical to achieving nature-positive outcomes.

The publication explores how gender-responsive approaches strengthen environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, sustainable finance, resilient livelihoods, digital transformation, and community-led action. By positioning gender equality as a core development accelerator rather than an afterthought, it offers concrete pathways for delivering more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable outcomes for both people and planet.