Gender equality in the Nordic energy sector

Sofia Elamson, Karina Barnholt Klepper , Rebekka Rún Jóhannesdóttir, Guðjón Norðfjörð, Ragnar O. Rafnsson, Janne Jonhaugen, Aditi Bhasin, Claire Bergaentzlé, Pirjo Jantunen, Kristina Christensen

Research output: Book/ReportReportResearch

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Abstract

Since 2017, Nordic Energy Research has had an increased focus on gender equality and worked to integrate this into the organisation’s main task to facilitate cooperative energy research and policy development in the Nordic region. During the years, Nordic Energy Research has gathered professionals from the industry, academia and authorities in the Nordic energy sector for discussions and knowledge exchange to identify challenges and solutions to reduce the energy sector’s gender gap. The discussions identified the importance of professional networks focusing on women in energy, which led to the establishment of the Nordic Energy Equality Network (NEEN), promoting gender diversity and empowerment of women for an inclusive and equal energy future. This report has been initiated by NEEN and is a contribution to the Nordic vision of a socially sustainable Nordic region. Research has shown a link between gender equality in the workplace and corporate performance. Currently, a growing body of research and scientific literature is also investigating the link between lack of gender equality in leadership positions and the lack of ambitious commitment of companies and administrations in the sector to align their strategy with the climate commitments. The transition to sustainable energy is one of our time’s most critical questions, but there is a risk that carrying on in traditional ways misses the opportunity to add other perspectives that can stimulate innovation and progression. It is a question of engaging all the available brainpower to be able to develop and implement the necessary energy solutions and reach the climate goals in time. The concept of sustainability is not just a one-sided technical or economical one – it must include the aspects of society and ecology too. Otherwise, solutions might fail to become sustainable. Improving gender equality lies at the core of the socially sustainable future. The lack of women in decision-making positions in industry, research groups, and at energy authorities is often identified as the energy sector’s obvious flaw. The Nordic region is often praised for equality and inclusion, but the energy segment seems to fall behind. The purpose of this report is to gather statistics from the Nordic countries and provide an overall status of gender balance and attitudes within energy companies, universities and energy authorities in the region. The intention is to highlight this topic and to stimulate further discussions to make a positive impact on the sector. After all, statistics are only numbers, and it is the people behind them who can make a difference.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherNordic Energy Research
Number of pages69
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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