On 12 November 2021, GI-ESCR and Oxfam México in collaboration with ProDESC, AIDA and the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre convened a panel discussion with a group of activists and experts to explore the interlinkages between renewable energy and gender justice. This important conversation was held in light of the publication of the Renewable Energy and Gender Justice briefing paper (in Spanish) by GI-ESCR and Oxfam Mexico, which provides an overview of the nexus between renewable energy and gender justice, drawing out several of the most significant opportunities and risks that the clean energy transition presents for women’s rights.

The participants were: GI-ESCR’s executive director, Magdalena Sepúlveda, Executive Director of OXFAM Mexico, Alexandra Haas, and Executive Director of ProDESC, Alejandra Ancheita, three experts who have actively advocated for a gender-just transition to renewable energy in Latin America. The conversation was moderated by Mexican journalist Galia Garcia.

During the event, Magdalena highlighted that the energy transition is not only about a technical transition but should lead to much broader changes in the way we produce and consume energy. Since the energy sector tends to be male-dominated and women are systemically discriminated against, the transition needs to use the opportunity to break through gender stereotypes and discrimination to ensure an inclusive and just transition for all.

Alexandra from Oxfam Mexico highlighted that we cannot expect a transition to work if we stick to the same models that we used beforehand. Especially the current economic system reinforces sexism, racism and other forms of structural discrimination. The way we take decision is inherently influenced by these underlying dynamics. Thus, to reshape our energy systems, we must rethink the ways decisions are being taken and ensure that often marginalized voices are heard and taken into consideration in the development of just and sustainable societies.

Alejandra from ProDESC agreed with these key messages, adding that especially the role of indigenous populations and indigenous women are key to any green transition given that they protect approximately 80% of the planet’s biodiversity. Especially corporations must do better to ensure the right to participation of indigenous peoples as the case of Union Hidalgo, where the development of a large-scale wind farm is having sever human rights implications for the local indigenous population. This leads to a broader understanding of how we need to rethink our energy systems, highlighted Alejandra. The path ahead lies within energy democracy rather than having decision-making power limited to a few powerful corporations and countries.

All speakers agreed that there remains hope if social movements keep the pressure up and collaborate with each other and with other stakeholders such as workers, energy enterprises and the energy sector. Nevertheless, especially in Latin America, challenges remain about gender stereotypes around care work and the lack of political representation of women. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reallocation of resources towards the recovery of the pandemic. Thus, the region will have to go through essential tax reforms in order to ensure that a just transition to renewable energy moves forward despite the ongoing health crisis.

Magdalena ended her intervention with a positive note mentioning that 10 years ago several of the measures now espoused as the way forward to ensure social justice were considered too technical and politically impossible to implement and now many key stakeholders are pushing for global and national progressive tax reforms. There is hope that a just energy transition will also become part of the agenda for social, gender and environmental justice.

This engaging discussion between the three experts allowed to continue developing a collective analysis on the women’s rights implications of the energy transition and to build momentum to advance a gender-just transition toward sustainable and just societies in the Latin American region.

You may watch the recording of the conversation here

You may also download the briefing paper in Spanish and in English