Integrating the Gender Component into Energy Policies Across the G20 Countries

Keywords: Gender equality and inclusion, Energy policies, Women empowerement, G20 countries, Political Representation | Study published: November 2024

The G20's shift towards sustainable energy must address gender inequalities for a just transition. Gender disparities in both energy access and representation remain prevalent in G20 nations, making it challenging to achieve the broader sustainable development goals (SDGs). Women continue to face systematic disadvantages due to inadequate energy policies. To achieve SDG 5 and 7, effective strategies must include gender-transformative policies that actively promote equality.

This study provides a detailed analysis of the strategies adopted by G20 countries to incorporate gender considerations into their energy policies and sectors. It identifies best practices, as well as the challenges and opportunities for improvement. The research focuses on three key areas: the labour market, political representation, and energy poverty. Based on interviews with experts, a literature review and policy analysis, the study identifies significant progress in several countries and emphasises promising initiatives that promote a more gender-inclusive energy transition.

The study produced a robust database revealing major gender disparities across the G20, as well as a comparative analysis of the countries' initiatives culminating in a classification system ranking countries by one of four levels of gender integration, ranging from 'Gender-Informative' (the least advanced) to 'Gender-Transformative' (the most advanced). Notably, only three G20 countries achieved the highest classification. The findings suggest that although there is increasing awareness of the need to integrate gender perspectives into energy policies, implementation is inconsistent and often hindered by limited institutional commitment. 

While there is a growing recognition of the importance of integrating gender perspectives into energy policies, the implementation of these strategies remains uneven and often lacks adequate institutional support.