The global energy transition, driven by the utilisation of renewables, presents opportunities for greater gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the energy sector, where under-representation of women, is even more acute than in other fields. 

Despite accounting for 48% of the global labour force, females only account for 22% of the labour force in the oil and gas sector and 32% in renewables, according to a 2019 report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

According to a 2017 report from the International Energy Agency, (IEA), in terms of energy innovation, female founders are listed in less than 11% of patent applications associated with the energy sector, and just over 15% for climate change mitigation technologies. 

Furthermore, despite a growing number of energy related startups, female founders only represent around 11% in comparison to 20% across all sectors. 

On International Women's Day, we celebrate the women who are driving change in the energy sector and beyond, across the globe, and highlight the opportunities for attracting and retaining more women in the renewable energy sector, in the years ahead. 

Sources:

IEA, Percentage of female employees in the energy sector in the European Union, 2011-2017, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/percentage-of-female-employees-in-the-energy-sector-in-the-european-union-2011-2017

IRENA (2019) Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective. https://www.irena.org/newsroom/articles/2019/Jan/Gender-equality-for-an-inclusive-energy-transition