Unlocking Her Climate Capital - Financing women-led climate solutions

About this event

What if the women building climate solutions weren’t seen as risky—but as the investment opportunity? Across South and Southeast Asia, women are building businesses that strengthen communities and respond to climate challenges. Yet too many struggle to access the finance, markets, networks, and policies needed to scale. This session brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and ecosystem leaders to ask a critical question: How do we de-risk the entrepreneur, de-risk the investment, and unlock the opportunity? Expect bold perspectives, practical solutions, and young women’s voices on the future of green jobs and climate entrepreneurship. Together, we will explore how catalytic capital, blended finance, markets and smarter policy can turn women-led climate solutions into scalable engines of inclusive climate action. For those registering for the event please enter from 8:30 am to 10 am through the Lift at Gate North G. Agenda 8:30 -9:30 am Registration 9:30 – 9:45 am Welcome and Context setting and introduction to WCI Bhagyashri Dengle – Founder Director WCI 9:50 – 10:05 Key Note - Promoting economic growth through women’s participation in the circular economy Ranga Pallawala Climate Change & Circular Economy Policy Expert European Union’s SWITCH -Asia 10:05 – 10:25 am Lightning talks What women climate entrepreneurs and ecosystem actors achieve when women-led enterprises are supported and funded. Meena Narula – Country Director Plan International on wooden toy project from Myanmar Tomoko – Youth for climate, Thailand Labisha Uprety - Stockholm Environment Institute 10:25 – 11:00 Gender and climate – how can we de-risk women enterprises Bridges study to examine why finance does not adequately reach women-led enterprises, particularly at the intersection of climate resilience Moderator – Sonali Khan Joyita Ambett – Director, Gender Equality Platform, AVPN Sara D Anzeo – Gender Action Lab UN Women Asia Pacific Region Suryaprabha Sadasivan – Managing Principal, Chase Advisors 11:00 – 11:45 Changing the narrative Emerging models to bring more resources women entrepreneur, investor perspectives and role ecosystem enablers Rachana Chandrashekhar – Asso. Director and Head of Accelerator Upaya Social Ventures Pasinee Tangsuriyapaisna – Founder, Enable Earth Riya Shahane – Founder, CIBOS Lieselotte Heederik – Founder, Nazava Water Filters Ram Kishan - Regional Director Asia Pacific, Plan International Rajarshi Barua – Associate Partner, Micro Save Consulting 11:45 am Summing up and vote of thanks Arnelit Mani Associate Gender and Financial Inclusion, Accion Advisory Sonali Khan and Nextopia (venue sponsor)