CT2023-09 Gender Balance in the Renewable Energy Sector

Description

Chwarae Teg’s vision is a fairer Wales where women achieve and prosper. We have been working with women, businesses, educators and decision-makers since 1992 to tackle the barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential. Chwarae Teg’s work is focused around three main objectives; women in the economy; women at risk and women represented. Through our programme delivery, research and influencing work we aim to ensure that women achieve and prosper across all sectors and at all levels in the economy, are visible and influential across all sectors of the economy, society and in public life, and are empowered to achieve their potential, regardless of their background, social status, or geographic location. Chwarae Teg is the leading expert on gender equality in Wales and works with influencers and decision makers to deliver lasting change, shaping the debate to empower women to achieve their potential. Research is a key part of Chwarae Teg’s work to build the evidence-base, spark debate and develop practical recommendations for change. In this research project we would like to explore women’s representation and experience in the renewable energy sector. The forecasted growth in the sector as we tackle the climate emergency will see significant investment from government and industry and new employment and training opportunities. To ensure that our transition to a green economy is a just one, we must ensure that women are able to take advantage of these new opportunities. Our labour market is still segregated on the basis of gender. Women continue to be under-represented in senior positions in many sectors and are much less likely to be working in sectors traditionally seen as “male”, including STEM sectors. STEM occupations remain heavily dominated by men, a situation that, without intervention, will likely continue to be replicated in the renewable energy sector. This research aims to understand women’s representation within the renewable energy sector, explore the experiences of those working in the sector and identify the necessary enabling factors to ensure that women are able to enter, remain and progress within the renewable energy sector. The main objective of this research is to understand the current picture of women’s representation among the renewable energy sector in Wales and the enabling factors for ensuring gender balance in the sector moving forward.