Women remain under-represented in renewable energy leadership: IRENA

A new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) finds that while women comprise nearly one-third of the global renewable energy workforce, significant under-representation persists in technical and leadership positions, posing a challenge for the sector’s equitable expansion.

The report, Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective, states that women hold 32% of full-time jobs in the sector. This participation rate exceeds that in the oil and gas (23%) and nuclear (25%) industries but remains below the global workforce average of 43.4%. IRENA estimates the renewable energy workforce numbered 16.2 million in 2023 and could grow to approximately 30 million by 2030 under a Paris Agreement-aligned pathway, requiring large-scale recruitment.

Employment patterns show considerable variation by role. Women occupy 45% of administrative and 36% of non-science, technology, engineering and mathematics (non-STEM) technical roles. Their share declines to 28% in STEM technical positions and 22% in medium-skilled technical jobs like installation. Representation drops further in leadership, with women holding 26% of middle management and 19% of senior management and board positions.

The analysis is based on a global survey covering 119 countries. Respondents identified key barriers including workplace recruitment bias, limited advancement opportunities, inflexible work arrangements, and a lack of family-support policies. Nearly 45% of female respondents reported experiencing gender-based discrimination, with most cases going unreported due to concerns over ineffective systems or retaliation.

Regional disparities in female participation were minimal, with Africa and Asia-Pacific at 33% and Europe and North America at 27%. Organisation size also influenced composition, with smaller entities reporting higher female participation than larger manufacturing-focused companies.

IRENA emphasises that improving gender diversity is crucial for meeting future labour demand. Recommended measures include equal pay regulations, gender-disaggregated data collection, workplace flexibility policies, and targeted training programs. The agency notes that a successful energy transition requires the full participation of all segments of society.

Image Credit: Renewable energy: A gender perspective (Second edition), IRENA.