C-Suite Virtual Dialogue: Energy sector gender diversity and inclusion

Gender diversity and inclusion in the energy sector is a timely discussion as decision-makers all over the globe are taking action now to build back better from the health emergency and economic shock spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic. The IEA made the first calls to put clean energy transitions at the heart of sustainable and inclusive recoveries, and that means empowering women in an effort to create a diverse and inclusive workforce equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a future-ready sector that meets our global clean energy goals.

This C-Suite dialogue is co-hosted by the IEA Gender Initiative and C3E.

By bringing together top energy leaders from industry and government, specialists on workforce development, talent management and strategy, the objective of this virtual dialogue is examining ways to accelerate workplace gender diversity and inclusion in the rapidly transforming energy sector. The dialogue will share practical insights on what matters to deliver results for more gender diverse and inclusive organisations.

• Elbia Gannoum, CEO of ABEEólica (the Brazilian Wind Energy Association)
• Laura McGee, Founder and CEO, Diversio
• Lyu Fang, Senior Engineer & Secretary-General, Electrical Engineering Institute C3E International China Ambassador &, Chinese Academy of Science, China
• Joel Couse, Special Advisor to the International Energy Agency
• Donna-Jean Nicholson (Moderator), IEA Gender Diversity Taskforce & Deputy Communications and Digital Office

The IEA is mandated “to build up and share knowledge to help tackle issues related to future human capacity needs, including equal opportunities for women and men in the energy sector” in accordance with the 2019 Ministerial Meeting Communique.

To deliver this mandate, the IEA Executive Director reinvigorated the Task Force on Gender. The Task Force is advancing the IEA Gender Initiative, which aims to strengthen data and analysis of the gender gaps in the energy sector, and develop recommendations for decision-makers on the conditions for addressing imbalances. This includes accepting the invitation to be the coordinator for the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) International Initiative, part of the Technology Collaboration Partnership work stream on knowledge and data collection, and supporting the Equal by 30 campaign.

The C3E International Initiative is a Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP), jointly under the IEA and the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). C3E International aims to advance the transition to a low carbon economy through advancing women’s participation in clean energy and closing the gender gap in the energy sector.

The C3E International Initiative is a governmental network with currently 11 member countries. C3E International works on the improvement of gender disaggregated data in the energy sector in C3E member countries and beyond. C3E International offers an award’s program and an ambassadors program, to honor women in leadership roles and showcase role models in the clean energy sector. Furthermore networking opportunities and information exchange is organised through regional and international events with the aim to raise awareness and illustrate good practice examples of policies and activities. C3E International has initiated the Campaign with a substantial number of companies and research institutions as signatories.