6 questions to better understand the place of women in energy

According to Catherine MacGregor, CEO of ENGIE, “professional equality between women and men is strategic for our Group, and indeed for all companies, whatever their business.”

1. Why are women at the heart of the fight against climate change?

Women are the first victims of climate change and account for almost 80% of climate refugees. This is because a very large majority of women in developing countries depend on local natural resources for food. These women, who are responsible for fetching water and for collecting cooking and heating fuel, also ensure their community’s subsistence by growing fruit, vegetables and grains, and by raising livestock for personal consumption. They therefore bear the full force of drought, flooding and extreme climate events caused by global warming. According to the United Nations, women in Mediterranean countries, western Asia, many parts of South America, Africa, and northeast Asia, are particularly exposed.

2. What role do women play in the decision-making authorities regulating climate and energy transition issues?

Although they are harder hit by the consequences of climate change, women are less well represented in the decision-making bodies working to fight climate change. Of course, equality is getting closer. While men accounted for an average of 88% of delegations at the first COP, the average delegation present at COP26 was made up of 65% men and 35% women*. When it comes to governments, however, only 12% are led by women, while the proportion of women in national parliaments stands at 25.5%**.

3. And in the energy sector?

The energy sector is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Still being predominantly dependent on fossil energy sources – with highly contrasting situations from one region to another – the sector is currently the largest emitter of CO2. It must step up the transition to renewable energy to decarbonise heat, cooling and power generation. A captivating challenge that could create up to 42 million jobs worldwide by 2050 according to the 2020 report by Irena (International Renewable Energy Agency). However, the sector lacks diversity with just 27.2% women in electricity and gas industries in France. One of the reasons behind this lack of diversity is that, generally speaking, fewer women choose the scientific and technical disciplines that provide training for the key energy professions, as revealed by statistics from the International Labour Organization.