CLIMATE CHANGE THE GENDER-ENERGY NEXUS
women to use the internet, a gap that widens to 52% in the least developed countries. Women’s limited access to digital technologies and connectivity restricts their ability to engage with and benefit from AI applications. This divide is particularly pronounced in regions with poor energy infrastructure, where unreliable or unavailable electricity further limits access to digital tools. The result is a cycle of exclusion, where women are unable to participate in the digital and energy transitions that are shaping the future. Despite these challenges, AI offers unprecedented opportunities to address gender and energy inequities. Its ability to process complex data can help close the gender data gap, a critical barrier to developing effective policies and technologies. By integrating sex-disaggregated data into AI systems, policymakers and developers can create solutions that better address the specific needs and experiences of women. For example, AI-driven models can map energy access needs in underserved communities, forecast demand, and design cost-effective solutions In addition to closing data gaps, AI can play a transformative role in enhancing energy planning and management. Smart grids powered by AI enable more efficient use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, by matching supply with demand in real time. These technologies not only improve energy efficiency but also reduce costs, making clean energy more accessible to communities that need it most. AI can also be employed in optimising the design and deployment of off-grid solutions, such as mini-grids, which are essential for electrifying rural areas. By tailoring these systems to local needs, AI ensures energy access initiatives are both equitable and sustainable. The integration of gender equity into AI and energy projects is crucial for maximising their impact. Diverse and inclusive teams are better equipped to identify and address biases in data and algorithms, ensuring that technologies serve all users equitably. Representation in these fields must go beyond tokenism to actively include women in decision-making roles and technical positions. Such inclusion not only enhances the quality of solutions but also ensures that women’s perspectives inform the development and implementation of policies and projects. A moral imperative and an economic opportunity Investing in gender-sensitive approaches to energy and AI is not just a moral imperative; that prioritise inclusivity. AI in energy planning
The gender-energy nexus highlights a critical gap in energy access that disproportionate- ly impacts women. Current trends suggest that by 2030, an estimated 341 million women and girls will still lack access to electricity, with the majority in Sub-Saharan Africa. Women’s limited access to modern energy services, such as electricity and clean cooking technologies, significantly affects their health, education, and economic opportunities. Additionally, the burden of energy poverty often falls on women, who are typically responsible for household energy management in many cultures. The reliance on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking not only harms women’s health but also consumes their time, limiting their ability to pursue education, employment, or entrepreneurial ventures. Exacerbating the challenges At the same time, women’s underrepresenta- tion in the energy and AI sectors exacerbates these challenges. In the energy sector, women account for only 32% of the renewable energy workforce and occupy just 11% of ministerial roles related to energy. Similarly, in AI development, women are significantly underrepresented, particularly in technical and decision-making roles. Even when women manage to break into the field, companies founded by women receive, on average, six times less funding than those led by men, highlighting a stark funding disparity. This underrepresentation and lack of financial support lead results in the exclusion of women’s perspectives and needs in the design and implementation of technologies and policies. The lack of gender-sensitive approaches in AI further reinforces biases and limits the effectiveness of solutions aimed at promoting energy equity. The digital gender divide compounds these issues. Globally, men are 21% more likely than The gender-energy nexus highlights a critical gap in energy access that disproportionately impacts women “
32 % of the renewable energy workforce and occupy just 11% of ministerial roles Ài>Ìi`ÌiiÀ}Þ° In the energy sector, women account for only
21 % more likely than women to use the internet, a gap that Ü`iÃÌxÓ¯ the least developed VÕÌÀið Globally, men are
136
THE FUTURE OF ENERGY
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker