Energy transition: the effects on women and the need for more inclusivity

A new report by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission shows the need to reduce gender inequalities in the energy transition, in cooperation with 75inQ, the Dutch expert centre on diversity in the energy transition.

The report is a call to address the complex connections between gender, energy poverty and the broader energy transition. It highlights the necessity of inclusive policies in ensuring women's active participation and representation in the energy business, not just as consumers, but also as decision-makers and innovators. It emphasises the importance of breaking down old policy silos, laying the groundwork for a more integrated and comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted causes of energy poverty.

Its findings can influence policy actions and best practices aimed at reducing energy poverty for women, increasing their representation in the energy sector, and enhancing their overall empowerment during the energy transition. This is critical to a European Green Deal that leaves no one behind.

Some of the findings include;

Women in the energy sector - Women accounted for an average of 32% of the global workforce in the renewables sector in 2019.  Political and managerial engagement is needed to ensure equal participation and representation of women in the energy transition.

Women more exposed to energy poverty - The report finds that women are frequently more exposed to energy poverty, often due to lower levels of disposable income and overrepresentation in single-parent households. Mitigating gender inequalities in access to energy services, and breaking silos in policy formulation, are crucial for a fair and inclusive energy transition.

Data collection to track gender-inclusive energy transition activities - The study finds that much of the relevant data is not collected, reported or monitored in a gender-disaggregated manner. This is a missed opportunity to inform policymaking and to monitor policy implementation. Data collection and monitoring methods are needed to track the success of gender-inclusive energy transition activities, enabling informed and targeted interventions at national and European levels.

More on the report