Female leaders act as accelerators, able to help companies tap into sustainable economy opportunities.

Women's leadership is key for global companies looking to tap into $12 trillion worth of new opportunities linked to the sustainable economy, according to a new report.

The Better Leadership, Better World: Women Leading for the Global Goals report released on Monday by WomenRising2030, an initiative launched by the Business and Sustainable Development Commission, argues that companies risk losing out on significant economic value by not having female leaders on board.

“We are at a tipping point when it comes to equality in the workplace,” said Marisa Drew, the chief executive of Credit Suisse’s impact advisory and finance department and one of 25 senior women leaders interviewed for the study.

She added that the report provides a business case for gender-balanced leadership. “Business benefits when all employees have a shared vision of the future – one that is fairer, more inclusive and sustainable.”

WomenRising2030’s study - a call to action for companies to build gender-balanced teams - describes women leaders as "accelerators" that are able to help companies unlock the $12tn “economic prize” as sociated with pursuing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - 17 objectives set out by world leaders to end hunger, poverty, and inequality and effectively tackle climate change and resource degradation by 2030.

The $12tn figure was identified last year by the Business and Sustainable Development Commission’s flagship report, Better Business, Better World, which found a compelling financial incentive for pursuing sustainable business models, which could create up to 380 million jobs by 2030.

WomenRising2030’s report found that companies with more women on their boards are more likely to invest in renewable power generation, low-carbon products, and energy efficiency. The study also found evidence that businesses with more women in high-level management positions, particularly on directorial boards, are better able to shift their business’s focus from maximising short-term profit to achieving longer-term growth goals.

"Women’s leadership cannot be a ‘nice-to-have’ for business. Companies that continue to have male-dominated leadership will miss out on business opportunities unlocked by gender-balanced teams,” said Paul Polman, chief executive of Unilever and a commissioner for the Business Commission, adding that at the current pace it will take 217 years to achieve gender equality. “That’s bad news for economy and society.”

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