California lawmaker introduces bill that would require gender to be considered in planning for climate emergencies

Accounting for the needs and contributions of women, girls, and gender-diverse people has been largely absent from state-level climate emergency planning and strategies in the U.S. Now, California Senate Bill 10 — or SB 10 — seeks to change that.

The bill, introduced by State Senator Steve Padilla of San Diego last month, aims to strengthen emergency preparedness and protections for vulnerable communities by explicitly accounting for and providing guidance on how climate shocks and extreme weather events can affect different groups, including women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people.

SB 10 was introduced in May and was referred to the Natural Resources Committee for consideration. A committee hearing appears to be scheduled for June 8.

"By requiring a gender analysis in our climate plans, we can better understand who is most at risk and ensure our policies protect those who are too often overlooked," Padilla said in a press release announcing the measure. "This approach leads to smarter, more equitable solutions that strengthen the resilience of entire communities."

Padilla's proposal is consistent with a well-established body of research documenting the disproportionate impacts of climate change across populations. Air pollution, for example, can increase risks during pregnancy, while saltwater intrusion can affect menstrual health, and extreme heat can worsen gender dysphoria.

The bill also aligns with other countries' efforts to track and advance gender-responsive climate policies. Around the world, experts, advocates, and those on the frontline of climate change have found that women, girls, and gender-diverse people are not only disproportionately affected by climate change — they are also key contributors to resilience, adaptation, and community-led solutions. 

More than half of U.S. states, including California, already "authorize agencies ... to consider environmental justice implications in decision-making and budget-setting," according to the Environmental Defense Fund. To date, most of these frameworks have addressed considerations including race, ethnicity, income, and disability. 

SB 10 builds on recent recognition in California of gender as part of the definition of "vulnerable populations" and follows earlier legislation to account for the needs of LGBTQ+ communities in disaster response planning.

The bill is being considered as experts warn of El Niño events, including extreme heat waves, drought, and hurricanes in the coming months, following a broader pattern of rising temperatures prompted by costly human-induced climate change. 

In 2025 alone, the U.S. recorded 23 weather and climate disasters that each caused more than $1 billion in damages.

The introduction of SB 10 also coincides with significant shifts in U.S. federal climate policy and resulting expansions in state and local emergency responsibilities. 

California has long been considered a leader in climate and environmental policy and could inspire more cities and states to incorporate a gender lens into mitigation, adaptation, and disaster planning.

Gracie Leavitt contributed to the editing of this article.