Female Political Leadership in Climate Change? Topic Modelling in the EU

• In Event: Women as Politicians

Abstract

This paper investigates how female political leadership differs from that of male counterparts in addressing climate change issues. Previous studies have indicated that female citizens in wealthier countries often express greater concerns about climate change than men. This is primarily due to economic considerations and the perception that women will face more costs as a result of climate change. Such trend is also observed in the representation of women in national parliaments across European countries, and this correlation has resulted in more stringent climate change policies and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
However, there is limited knowledge about female political leadership specifically on climate change issues within the European Union, which significantly influences the global green transition and the implementation of the EU regulations across its member states.

This research is conducted against this backdrop to investigate the intersection of gender and climate change. It employs empirical testing through topic modeling using R programming language and visualization to highlight gendered differences in political leadership. The study aims to identify both similarities and differences in the concerns raised by male and female legislators in their parliamentary speeches related to regulations central to the Fit for 55 Package in the European Parliament.

This research makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing debates surrounding the interplay between the environment and gender in advanced democracies. By focusing on the EU, a pivotal player in shaping global environmental policies, the study aims to shed light on the distinct contributions of female political leaders in addressing climate change. The analysis will be centered on parliamentary discussions, specifically related to regulations within the Fit for 55 Package, providing insights into the gendered aspects of political discourse on crucial climate change policies.

This research seeks to enhance our understanding of the nuanced role that women leaders play in shaping climate change policies in the EU. By employing advanced analytical tools such as topic modeling, the study aims to unravel gender-specific patterns in parliamentary speeches related to key environmental regulations. The findings hold the potential to inform future policy making and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between gender and political leadership in the context of climate change.

Author

• Nagyeong Kang, Seoul National University