Posted on September, 18 2023

EU offshore renewable energy capacity is anticipated to grow by 625% between 2022 and 2030. Despite being the fastest-growing renewable energy source in the EU and a burgeoning maritime industry, the offshore renewables sector has yet to equally and equitably include women. 

Historically entrenched, the energy sector's gender imbalance remains evident: in the EU energy sector, the gender-disparity of wages is nearly 20% and women only occupy up to 20% of senior roles. In the global wind energy sector (both on- and offshore), women make up just 21% of the workforce.

This underrepresentation of women extends to decision-making, with only four women sitting in the European Council; in the European Parliament, less than 10% of climate and energy legislative files are led by women, despite 40% female Parliament membership. Equal representation of both men and women is essential in the development and implementation of legal frameworks for our energy systems, as they ultimately affect all citizens, regardless of gender.

The sidelining of women from the energy transition is a gross misstep, as studies show that companies with a minimum 30% women in senior positions perform more effectively across the board. In addition, with women constituting half of all EU university graduates, their integration in the industry can both spur innovation and alleviate the sector's escalating skills shortage.

By weaving gender equality into every facet of renewable energy policy development and implementation, the EU can better address broader social challenges that are amplified by human-induced climate change.

In its transition to low-carbon energy systems, WWF calls on the EU to dramatically improve gender balance in the rapidly-expanding offshore renewables sector. This will not only attract the additional talent urgently needed, it will help eliminate the socio-demographic inequalities women currently face.

The EU and its Member State policymakers must uphold gender equality as a foundational EU principle and fully execute the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025. This entails crafting gender-responsive initiatives that empower women as active participants in the energy transition, fostering a just, inclusive and sustainable future.