Greenhouse gas emissions that are linked to energy production play a role as a key contributor to climate change. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, provides a framework for nations to collectively combat climate change in global level. The agreement aims to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Article 4(2) of the Paris Agreement requires its Member States to prepare Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and implement domestic mitigation actions to achieve the Agreement’s climate objectives.  

One critical effort in pursuing the Paris Agreement objective is to involve renewable energy transition into Member States’ NDCs. By transitioning to renewable energy, countries can move closer to achieving their climate targets as renewables generate far lower emissions over its lifecycle than fossil fuels and has minimal impact on air quality and greenhouse gases during operation. Renewable energy enables near-total decarbonisation of electricity generation and significantly reduce emissions from transport, buildings, and industry through renewable energy sources. 

Gender Equality for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition 

To optimise the benefits of renewable energy, it is essential to ensure that the energy transition is just and inclusive, where the transition is socially equitable, inclusive, and gender-just. In detail, gender-just must acknowledge the concept of gender equality, where women and men deserve equal conditions, treatment, and opportunities to reach their full potential, human rights, and same level contribution to economic, social, cultural, and political development. The strategies used must ensure that everyone’s needs and priorities are considered and should be free from gender-based stereotypes and prejudices. This involves addressing gender inequalities, increasing women’s participation, and ensuring equal opportunities, resources, and decision-making roles. To ensure the progress of a just and inclusive energy transition, policymakers hold a crucial role by establishing supportive policies, incentivising investments, and ensuring that the renewable energy transition is not just green but also equitable.  

The inclusion of women in energy remains limited despite their critical contributions as energy consumers and producers. In general, the energy sector has been dominated by men, with women making up only about 32% of the renewable energy workforce. This disparity stems from multiple factors, such as male-dominated social & cultural norms, unequal educational access, low level of employment, uninteresting nature of work, and limited financial access. Addressing this disparity is crucial to promote gender equality and unlock the full potential of a just and inclusive renewable energy transition. 

Prioritising a just and inclusive energy transition can drive improvements in the welfare and well-being of the ASEAN community, leaving no one behind.  On regional level, ASEAN has undertaken significant efforts to incorporate a just and inclusive energy transition into the next cycle of regional energy blueprint, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC). Recognising the need for continued progress, the next APAEC will focus on ‘Advancing Regional Cooperation in Ensuring Energy Security and Accelerating Decarbonisation for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition’. Accelerating the energy transition in ASEAN involves not only tackling technological and financial challenges but also addressing barriers to a people-centred approach for a just and inclusive energy transition. Therefore, to fully realise this, it is crucial to integrate gender equality and inclusivity into ASEAN’s key focus areas to overcome existing barriers in the energy sector. 

Women at the Heart of a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition 

The inclusivity of energy transition decision-making process, including who participates and how, directly impacts its fairness and effectiveness. The shift to renewables must actively involve women as they are disproportionately impacted by energy poverty and policies due to their roles in communities and households. However, policies may not always be neutral. Gender bias may be hidden in government decision-making, which risks exacerbating inequality and discrimination. Energy policies often prioritise technical aspects of energy supply while neglecting demand-side factors like household decision-making, unpaid labour, livelihoods, and caregiving. 

This lack of a gender perspective reflects deeper issues rooted in political ideology, cultural norms, and traditional practices. Given women’s role as primary energy users in households, women’s active participation in designing and implementing sustainable renewable energy systems is essential to ensure their needs and preferences are effectively addressed. Policies that promote women’s involvement in the design and implementation of renewable energy projects can ensure that these projects meet the specific needs of women and their communities. If women are underrepresented in these processes, existing inequalities may persist, and without targeted interventions to address gender concerns, the shift to renewable energy may fail to be truly just and inclusive.  

Studies found that the energy transition advancement in ASEAN is influenced by several factors, including women’s participations in the energy transition. Additionally, gender equality correlates with lower per capita CO2-equivalent emissions. This is because women are more likely to advocate for climate policies, support the transition to renewable energy, and actively participate in environmental activism. According to a report by IPCC, countries with greater women political participation is associated with more stringent climate policies and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.  

For example, at international forums like the Conferences of Parties (COP), women have been instrumental in advocating for gender-responsive policies that align with climate goals and promote equality in the energy sector. At COP 25, Parties approved the five-year enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender along with its Gender Action Plan (GAP). At COP 27, they conducted an interim review of the GAP’s implementation and adopted amendments outlined in the annex (Decision 24/CP.27). During COP 28, Parties decided that the final review of the enhanced Lima Work Programme and its GAP will begin at the sixtieth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation in June 2024, focusing on identifying challenges, gaps, and priorities. At COP29, Parties decided to extend the Enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender for 10 years and called for a new GAP by 2025 to strengthen accountability in climate finance and policy. 

The contributions of marginalised people, including women, who are socially in the position of those who are most affected by climate change and therefore experts on appropriate climate responses, are substantial. Equitable participation by taking into account gender mainstreaming policy in climate policymaking is hence an effective contribution for improving decision-making on climate change mitigation.  

Lessons Learned from Countries with the Best Practices 

Policymaking can serve as a powerful driver of change, breaking down barriers that hinder women’s full participation in the energy sector. A comprehensive approach is necessary to address systemic inequalities at all levels. Governments must incorporate a gender-responsive perspective in energy policymaking by embedding gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) principles into regulations and ensuring legal frameworks promote gender equity. Additionally, setting measurable targets for women’s participation in the workforce, leadership roles, and entrepreneurship within the renewable energy sector is essential to achieve gender equality. This is essential because targets help to track progress and monitor the progress of gender equality.  

For instance, effective policy measures may include quotas or incentives to increase women representation in government and board positions. Research shows that implementing gender quota legislation has a significant impact on women’s participation in decision-making, with more women elected in the parliamentary seats in states with quotas, reaching to 26%, compared to 21% in countries without quotas. For legislatives that are applied to corporate boards, the European Union, Norway, and Iceland have implemented a gender quota law, where listed companies and public enterprises should have at least 40% of each gender on their boards. The Norwegian quota law was effective, since the share of women on company boards increased as projected. The proportion of women on corporate boards in Norway climbed from 6% in 2002 to 9% in 2004, 12% in 2005, 18% in 2006, 25% in 2007, 36% in 2008, and 40% in 2009.  

Beyond employment, educational and training programs in STEM fields is also critical to building a strong pipeline of women professionals in the sector. Additionally, policies enacted to achieve gender equality should address broader gender disparities by promoting flexible work arrangements, accessible childcare, and parental leave to support women’s career progression. Policymakers can further enhance inclusivity through anti-harassment policies, gender-sensitive hiring and retention strategies, and flexible work policies. Creating a safe and supportive workplace by tackling gender-based violence and harassment is vital for fostering a more equitable and thriving energy sector. 

What can ASEAN do to increase women’s participation in the clean energy transition while accelerating growth to the use of renewable energy? 

As ASEAN moves toward a just and inclusive energy transition, integrating gender considerations into policies is essential. The upcoming APAEC cycle presents an opportunity to strengthen gender mainstreaming efforts and ensure that women play an active role in shaping the region’s energy future. In the next APAEC phase, ASEAN can enhance gender mainstreaming in the energy sector by raising awareness and knowledge sharing; developing an energy-gender database; conducting in-depth studies on gender; mainstreaming gender analysis in energy reports; hosting annual multistakeholder dialogues; and implementing a monitoring and evaluation framework. 

First, one of the key steps in this process is raising awareness and knowledge sharing on the intersection of gender and energy. Limited understanding of gender-related energy issues often leads to policies that overlook women’s critical contributions. By enhancing public campaigns, capacity-building programs, and learning exchanges, ASEAN can foster a deeper recognition of how gender dynamics influence energy consumption, decision-making, and sustainability efforts. 

Second, to support informed policymaking, ASEAN must develop an energy-gender database that consolidates disaggregated data. This will require collaboration between energy ministries and national statistics agencies to identify gender-related gaps in energy access, employment, and leadership. Reliable data is crucial for designing effective policies that address existing disparities. 

Third, conducting in-depth studies on the energy-gender nexus will provide valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities women face in the sector. Research on access to clean cooking, electrification, affordability, and land use will help guide policies that improve women’s participation in and benefits from the energy transition. 

Fourth, Mainstreaming gender considerations across policy documents is another vital step. Incorporating gender analysis in energy reports, such as the ASEAN Energy Outlook, will ensure that decision-making processes account for women’s needs and contributions. 

Fifth, to foster collaboration and inclusive dialogue, ASEAN should host annual multistakeholder discussions involving policymakers, private sector actors, local communities, and international organizations. These dialogues can serve as platforms to align gender-responsive energy initiatives, share best practices, and strengthen regional cooperation. 

Finally, implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework will help track progress toward gender equality in the energy transition. By incorporating gender-sensitive indicators, such as participation rates, training opportunities, and project benefits, ASEAN can ensure accountability and continuous improvement in its policies. By taking these steps, ASEAN can move closer to a future where women are not only included in the energy transition but are also empowered to lead and drive meaningful change. 

Haningrum Eka Putri Rahayu is a Research Assistant at the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT).

The views, opinions, and information expressed in this article were compiled from sources believed to be reliable for information and sharing purposes only, and are solely those of the writer/s. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) or the ASEAN Member States. Any use of this article’s content should be by ACE’s permission.