This book posits that women’s political leadership is vital for transitions to a sustainable future. It investigates the unsustainability of the current social order, offers strategies for achieving sustainable development, and explores the structure and agency variables that enable women political leaders to successfully drive political innovations for a greater societal transformation.

This book sheds light on the genesis of the current capitalist social order, the transformational role of the state, political leadership, political innovations, and particularly women leaders in driving sustainable development. The book analyses three case studies of women leaders who have successfully implemented political innovations for sustainable statehood and development on national, regional, and local governance levels: Jacinda Ardern, Carole Delga, and Valérie Plante. From these case studies, the author demonstrates which agency and structural prerequisites are crucial for women political leaders to become a driving force behind creating the conditions needed for a sustainable future.

Taking both a theoretical and an empirical approach, this is key reading for graduate students and researchers interested in political leadership, gender and politics, political innovations, sustainability sciences, and transition research. It will also be of interest to political leaders, and those advising them, looking to understand the leadership styles, skills, and strategies needed to successfully drive progressive political agendas for sustainable statehood and development.