WSDS 2025 Thematic Track- Putting Gender at the Heart of India’s Clean Energy Transition
A study conducted by the International Energy Agency across 29 countries in 2019, found that on average, there are 76% fewer women than men working in the energy sector. The numbers showed a substantial difference from the average 8% gap seen in the total workforce, according to data from the previous year. Women can play a vital role in the energy sector as entrepreneurs, innovators, decision-makers, and advocates for a cleaner energy transition, but remain significantly underrepresented across the energy value chain. In the Indian context, empowering women toparticipate on an equal footing with men will add USD $2.9 trillion to the nation’s economy by 2025 according to a study by McKinsey Global Institute. Yet, women represent a mere 11% of the workforce in India’s renewable energy sector, significantly lower than the global average of 32%.
Women’s participation in the Renewable Energy (RE) sector plays a significant role in India achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 5 (gender equality). India is at a crucial juncture in its RE journey and has risen to the demand for energy transition, with strong policy and regulatory frameworks, and initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, PM KUSUM, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The transition has the potential to be equitable, when India works towards unlocking the full potential of women’s engagement in the RE sector.
Women in rural India are playing a catalytic role in accelerating adoption of Distributed Renewable Energy and other climate-friendly solutions across India’s villages; showcasing climate entrepreneurship and becoming agents of change. However, to scale these efforts, overcome socio-economic barriers, and address climate solutions more holistically it is essential to develop women-centric policies, develop accessible financial mechanisms, skilling and capacity building programs and implementation frameworks. Together, these have the potential to unleash a cascade of positive changes across the lives and livelihoods of women and communities including better energy access, improved health, economic empowerment, reduced inequality, enhanced resource governance and community resilience.
This year, in the lead up to the International Women’s Day, Natural Resources Defense Council with partners Self Employed Women’s Association and Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is organizing a dialogue on ‘Putting Gender at the Heart of India’s Clean Energy Transition’.
The event will bring women leaders and stakeholders from across government, grassroot organizations and civil society, to deliberate on key levers to unlock economic development in India that is gender-balanced and climate-proof. The session will also showcase success stories from the field and discuss solutions to tap into the opportunities for an inclusive, clean-energy transition in India.