A global NGO that protects women in climate-vulnerable communities has been recognised for pioneering insurance solutions that cushion women from the economic impact of extreme heat.
Climate Resilience for All (CRA) has received the inaugural Climate Innovation Leadership Award from California insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, during the global sustainable insurance summit held in Los Angeles on May 19.
The award honours CRA’s women’s climate shock insurance and livelihoods initiative — a parametric insurance programme designed to safeguard the livelihoods of informal women workers most exposed to rising temperatures.
“This award galvanises CRA’s commitment to accelerating innovative heat solutions with and for women on the frontlines of the climate crisis,” said CRA CEO, Kathy Baughman McLeod, who received the award. “It’s about building opportunity where it’s needed most.”
Launched in India in 2024, the initiative reached 50,000 women through a partnership with the self-employed women’s association (SEWA). More than 90% of participants received insurance payouts that helped cover essentials such as food, health care, and school fees. For many, it also restored financial dignity and improved access to credit.
In 2025, CRA has enrolled over 225,000 women in the programme, an increase of 350% from its first year. The expansion continues in Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Thailand, and Ghana, with CRA aiming to extend climate adaptation and income protection to more communities where heat poses a growing threat.
CRA’s model combines direct cash payments triggered by extreme heat events with proactive measures like early warning systems and heat health education.
Extreme heat is one of the most profound and underestimated effects of climate change in Africa. Across the continent, informal workers, especially women, bear the brunt of its consequences, from income loss to long-term health risks.
In response to this growing threat, CRA has also delivered training for African journalists, equipping them with tools to report more effectively on extreme heat and amplify the stories of those most affected.
CRA is currently the only global NGO solely focused on protecting women in vulnerable communities from the growing dangers of extreme heat. Its work reflects a broader shift in climate adaptation efforts toward precision, equity, and locally led solutions.
