Until recently, successive governments have overlooked a valuable resource in planning and executing development-focused programmes in the industry: the inclusion of women. Failure to avail women of opportunities in the utility industries deprives the system of a touch of diversity, sacrosanct for innovation. This article presents the various roles of women in the transition to clean energy.
Going from the narrative of women as household managers, they have more sustainable consumption choices and ideas. Moreover, women tend to have a substantial say in household energy decisions. Hence, the design, production, sales and distribution of sustainable energy technologies would benefit from having women shape the clean energy value chain.
Renewable energy and clean energy drivers need to include more women in the sector as they have a huge influence on energy decisions in the workplace and household. For instance, women decide on lighting, heating and air conditioning, and electrical appliances, including the time and duration of use. In addition, women often spearhead the purchase of goods and services that may be more or less energy-intensive.
It is a well-known fact that the energy sector continues to be male-dominated. The International Renewable Agency reported that the RE sector employs an estimated value of 32 per cent women and a lesser 22 per cent in the oil and gas sector. While women perform better in the renewable space, their share of employment falls below average. They are particularly underrepresented in STEM-related jobs (28 per cent), a much lower share than in administrative jobs (45 per cent).
It is high time women are allowed to be the drivers of clean energy transitions by allowing more women with the knowledge in the energy space to bring up solutions and innovations. Governing bodies and organisations should adopt and implement policies that would include more women in the energy space.
I completely agree with the writer of this article.
Thank you for your response Kenneth Osanebi