Opportunity cost of the gender gap in the energy transition
The ClosingAP report “Opportunity cost of the gender gap in the energy transition”, promoted by Enagás and prepared by Afi, analyzes from an economic and social perspective the impact of gender inequality on one of the most strategic sectors for the future of the Spanish economy: the energy transition.
The study focuses both on existing gender gaps in employment linked to the energy transition and in energy consumption, as well as on the role that public policies play in reducing these inequalities.
Some of the main findings of the study are:
- Strong female underrepresentation in the sector. Only 24% of employment linked to the energy transition is occupied by women, a gap that remains practically constant even among the new generations.
- High economic cost of inequality. Closing the gender gap in employment in the energy sector could contribute more than 122 billion euros per year to Spanish GDP, equivalent to 7.7% of the national GDP.
- Better working conditions, but persistence of glass ceilings. Although employment in the energy transition offers greater stability and better salaries than the average economy, women continue to be underrepresented in positions of greater responsibility and leadership.
- Training does not guarantee employment. Despite the fact that more and more women are completing studies related to the energy transition, only 11% access jobs in the sector, compared to 23% of men, making employment one of the main bottlenecks for an inclusive transition.
- Risk of perpetuating inequality over time. At the current rate, equality in employment in the sector would not be achieved until 2061; even under a scenario of active policies, parity would not come before 2043.
- Greater vulnerability in energy consumption. Households headed by women, especially single-parent households and those made up of women pensioners, have a higher incidence of energy poverty.
- Greater female commitment to the energy transition. Women, especially younger women, show higher levels of concern about climate change and greater support for renewable energy and public policies associated with the energy transition.
