Learning Brief: Supporting Women to Lead The New Energy Transition
We’re excited to share our latest Case Study: Supporting Women to Lead the New Energy Transition, A Global Comparative Perspective. 🌏
Women remain significantly underrepresented across the energy transition, from access to climate finance to technical and leadership roles. Yet the way entrepreneurs respond to gender inclusion varies considerably across regions, shaped by cultural norms, business environments, and local expectations.
Drawing on cross-regional experience across Latin America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, this Learning Brief explores what these differences mean for how programs can support more inclusive climate entrepreneurship.
Through the Sweef Institute’s work with Indonesian entrepreneurs, we have found a strong willingness to engage with gender inclusion, including among founders operating in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Rather than questioning the case for inclusion, many are interested in exploring practical ways to strengthen their businesses through more inclusive supply chains, partnerships, marketing, and talent pathways.
Indonesia’s receptiveness creates a chance to shift from persuasion to implementation. For businesses, gender inclusion does not have to start with hiring more women into roles where the talent pipeline may still be limited. It can begin with working with women-led suppliers, creating partnerships with women entrepreneurs, improving access to markets, or encouraging more girls and young women to pursue STEM pathways.
Programs can help businesses turn this openness into action by testing different approaches and measuring what works, including strengthening supplier and market access as well as widening the pipeline of women in climate and energy. Over time, these practical steps can strengthen businesses, support stronger innovation, and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient energy transition.
Read the full Learning Brief: Supporting Women to Lead the New Energy Transition: A Global Comparative Perspective, to explore what we can learn from different regional contexts, and why meeting entrepreneurs where they are is essential to advancing gender-inclusive climate entrepreneurship: