Renewable Energy Employment Gender Gap

Renewable energy is seen as avant-garde and a pathway towards a more sustainable future. This modern and growing sector is often perceived as progressive and conducive to a more democratic and inclusive society. In the context of the SDG 8, our paper sets out to examine this claim and to assess opportunities for gender inclusion and equality in the renewable energy workforce. We examine the rationale for equity and inclusion under SDG 8 and evaluate how gender is reflected in its targets and indicators, as well as how they are related to SDG 5 and SDG 7. We then employ mixed methods research to examine the gender gap in the renewable energy workforce and discuss specific challenges and good practices in the sector. We found that the socio-economic progress deriving from renewable energy does not necessarily extend to gender diversity in its workforce. We argue that gender diversity can be compatible with economic growth when the benefits of economic growth and those of gender parity are mutually reinforcing. Inclusive growth in the renewable energy transition is possible when women are empowered to participate fully, effectively and competitively in their career.