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Women Political Leaders as Agents of Environmental Change

Author

Listed:
  • Berniell, Inés

    (University of La Plata)

  • Marchionni, Mariana

    (Universidad Nacional de la Plata)

  • Pedrazzi, Julián

    (Universidad Nacional de la Plata)

  • Viollaz, Mariana

    (CEDLAS-UNLP)

Abstract

This paper explores how female political leaders impact environmental outcomes and climate change policy actions using data from mixed-gender mayoral races in Brazil. Using a Regression Discontinuity design, we find that, compared to male mayors, female mayors significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This effect is driven by a reduction in emissions intensity (CO2e/GDP) in the Land Use sector, without changes in municipal economic activity. Part of the reduction in emissions in the Land Use sector is attributable to a decline in deforestation. We examine potential mechanisms that could explain the positive environmental impact of narrowly electing a female mayor over a male counterpart and find that in Amazon municipalities, female elected mayors allocate more space to the environment in their government proposals and are more likely to invest in environmental initiatives. Differences in the enforcement of environmental regulations do not explain the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Berniell, Inés & Marchionni, Mariana & Pedrazzi, Julián & Viollaz, Mariana, 2025. "Women Political Leaders as Agents of Environmental Change," IZA Discussion Papers 17920, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17920
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sonia Bhalotra & Irma Clots-Figueras, 2014. "Health and the Political Agency of Women," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 6(2), pages 164-197, May.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Brazil; Amazon; mayoral elections; climate change; gender; Latin America;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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