26-06-2025
Milieudefensie has been a member of WO=MEN for a year now, and that deserves some special attention. We spoke with Anouk Strijd, Senior Policy Advisor Climate Justice & Just Energy Transition, about their work and ambitions.
Why did Milieudefensie decide to join WO=MEN?
"When we talk about climate justice — a truly just transition that includes everyone — we must also address the unequal power dynamics embedded in our current system. Gender equality is one of those. Within Milieudefensie, there is certainly the willingness to give this attention, but people do not always know how, and the knowledge that does exist is not yet widely shared across the organisation.”
"Although our international programmes often take a gender‑sensitive, and sometimes even feminist, approach — meaning gender and other forms of difference are naturally taken into account — this work still largely takes place within a silo. My colleagues and I try to share insights internally as much as possible, for example that a just transition must, by definition, be feminist, to raise awareness of how essential this is for international climate justice.”
"Joining WO=MEN is therefore a way for us to gain knowledge, learn from others, and also share our own expertise. In addition, as civil society organisations we need each other — especially in times when civic space is under pressure and climate, environmental and human rights legislation is being weakened by the lobbying of major polluting companies.”
"Working in coalitions makes us stronger and ensures we can create more impact for diverse groups of people at different levels. That is urgently needed. Time is running out if we want to preserve a liveable planet for everyone.”
Why are gender equality and women’s rights important to you?
"The current energy system is built on systemic and historical inequalities that are deeply rooted in our societies and economies. Industrialised countries and their large corporations are responsible for a disproportionately large share of historical CO₂ emissions, while the negative impacts of dangerous climate change (such as extreme weather, drought and flooding) hit the Global South the hardest.”
"Because of existing inequalities, poor communities, migrants, women, LGBTQIA+ people, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), and people with disabilities in low‑emission countries are the most severely affected. Women and girls are often specifically and disproportionately impacted due to gender inequality, and they have the least resources to adapt, which only deepens inequality. If we want a just, fossil‑free and circular energy system, we must take insights about gender inequality (and other inequalities) seriously. The renewable energy system must not replicate existing inequalities or enable new forms of exploitation and abuse.”
How do you hope to make an impact by working with other WO=MEN members?
"Together we are stronger, and the expertise of different members complements each other well. Through and with WO=MEN, we mainly work on making international climate policy more just and putting pressure on companies to comply with the international climate commitments of the Paris Agreement.”
"We advocate at various levels for binding rules for companies on climate, the environment and human rights. For example, the obligation for companies to develop and implement ambitious climate transition plans — but this must, of course, be done in a just way. That is why we also work on integrating the ‘just energy transition’ perspective, in collaboration with international partners. The transition must not come at the expense of local communities, including women and girls, but should instead contribute to sustainability in countries in the global South, improve energy access, and advance broader social justice.”
What expertise can your organisation contribute to the WO=MEN network?
"As Milieudefensie, we can contribute expertise on climate change, climate justice, climate litigation, binding corporate regulation, and specifically the responsibilities companies have to comply with the Paris Agreement. Through our campaigns, we put pressure on 30 major polluters to meet the international climate commitments of Paris, and we advocate for stronger binding rules for companies on climate and a just transition. For example, we are exploring the possibilities for an international climate duty for companies as non‑state actors within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). We also have extensive experience in litigation, mobilising people, and we have a large international network.”
