Gendered Narratives on a Just Energy Transition at the Renew Our Power Gathering

by Princess Avianne Charles

Communities around the world are advocating and working towards a just energy transition. At 350’s Renew Our Power Gathering, this is evident, with participants from 70 countries around the world in attendance, advocating for resources, finances, and support of renewable energy systems. Renewable energy is in greater demand, with grassroots organizations working to make a just energy shift a reality. Urging leaders to redirect their focus from the fossil fuel industry has become paramount, with a heightened sense of inclusivity and autonomy within communities. Advocacy to decenter the fossil fuel industry is worldwide, tackling the many ways that vulnerable communities are drastically impacted, such as young girls and women. For these groups, a just energy transition isn’t a gendered win as much as it is climate.

The Renew Our Power Gathering creates a space for collective learning, action, and reflection on the impacts of the fossil fuel industry. Feminist and gender-responsive perspectives were welcomed, with women highlighting the connections of gender inequality, climate injustice, and inaccessibility to sustainable energy sources within the communities. During a panel session on decentralizing energy as resistance, attendees heard different perspectives on renewable energy from women. This created a space where intersectionality played a pivotal role in understanding the nuanced perspectives of their experiences and what inspires them in this line of work. Ireen Twongirwe, Executive Director and co-founder of the Women from Green Economy Movement in Uganda, emphasized the importance of empowering women and girls to speak up and know their environmental and land rights.

In speaking further with Twongirwe on the intersections of gender and equitable energy systems, she explained, “As women, we cannot run away from energy. We use energy for cooking. We use energy for breastfeeding. We use energy for lighting. We use energy for any other domestic work.” She expressed that in her community, women are still facing the challenges of energy poverty. There are instances where women must walk long distances to fetch firewood, water, and perform other domestic work, with distinct connections to unpaid care work. For Twongirwe in Uganda, creating awareness for inclusive, community-based renewable energy systems is crucial for dismantling existing gender and energy barriers in place. 

“As women, we cannot run away from energy. We use energy for cooking. We use energy for breastfeeding. We use energy for lighting. We use energy for any other domestic work.”

Women’s representation at the gathering reinforced the importance of feminist-led action in the energy transition process. Throughout the gathering, women took to the center stage to make urgent demands for inclusivity, policy, and resources for renewable energy systems in their communities. Through these sessions, it’s clear that communities owning their power is a necessity. For girls and women, owning their power tackles energy and gendered inequities, placing their energy and sustainability needs at the forefront. This also accounts for the intersectionality of their identities and how fighting to own and shape one’s power is significant. 

During the panel session, “The Power in Movement: From Warriors to World Builders”, Indigenous representation was evident. One of the panelists, Luene Karipuna, is the Executive Coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Amapá and Northern Pará. Her work pushes back against oil exploration in the Amazon, with the support of her fellow Indigenous members. Luene reflected on childhood memories and how the fossil fuel industry can drastically alter her family’s future. For Luene and many others in the space, decentering the fossil fuel industry is a fight for the world today and the future of tomorrow. Through their dedication and collective action, they affirm the importance of representation, accounting for how vulnerable groups such as girls and women are at heightened climate and environmental risks. 

Energia das Mulheres da Terra is a network of renewable energy and water resources projects, formed by women family farmers and their organizations, in the state of Goiás. They led a practical demonstration of their experiences on empowering women through solar energy in small farming lands. 

During the session, they shared that a key goal is to prioritize forming groups of women who can learn how to use solar technology and navigate its management. They work to implement water pumps to supply water for six families, with a team of women who organize to build, install, and maintain these systems. Women family farmers in Goiás experience challenges with energy systems due to excessive rainfall, and the lengthy distance for women to access the technology. They’ve shared that a solution for this is to provide opportunities for women to become technicians to support their networks and supply solar kits. Through their collective work, they’ve installed more than 20 kits of solar pumps. It was emphasized that their networks are made by women, and that is their energy and power. 

Gender inequality does not exist in isolation. Working towards gender justice must factor in how climate and environmental impacts lead to unsafe environments and conditions for girls and women. With an energy shift in greater demand, including girls and women in the discussions, actions, and policy-making processes ensures that they own their power in a way that best suits their needs. 

About the Author

Princess Avianne Charles is a Trinbagonian writer with articles in the fields of human rights, labour laws, and occupational safety and health. She is an advocate for labour rights, mental health, disability rights, and climate justice. With a degree in Occupational Safety and Health, she centres her work on providing safer spaces and risk-reduction strategies for communities and the environment.