2023 EU Sustainable Energy Week Policy Conference: Eurofound, EIGE and EUI session on Stepping up gender and intersectional perspectives towards a socially fair Just Transition

Location: Martin's Hotel, room Topaz, 1st floor

Date: 21 June 2023

Time: 13:30 - 15:00 CEST

EU Sustainable Energy Week is the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe and comprises a series of activities aimed at building a secure energy future for Europe. Eurofound and the European Gender Institute (EIGE) along with the European University Institute (EUI), have teamed up with COFACE, ACER and the Council of European Energy Regulators to run a session at the 2023 EU Sustainable Energy Week high-level Policy Conference on 21 June which took place in a hybrid format in Brussels and online. As part of a wide and exciting programme, this unique session focused on the gender perspectives in the green transition policies which can lead to more effective and equitable outcomes for all.

The transition to sustainable energy must be both economically viable and socially sustainable for European citizens to accept and embrace it. Monitoring the impact within population and designing strategies that are socially just and include all groups of our societies, even the most vulnerable, is key to ensure the full success of the clean energy transition.

Different skills, possibilities, access, behaviours and attitudes may lead to differentiated experiences in the transition to climate neutral economy for women and men. Women can be more generally affected by the impact of the green transition on employment and living conditions given their different skills, possibilities, and resources to contribute to green economy solutions.

The Eurofound-EIGE-EUI session discussed gender and intersectional perspectives towards a socially fair Just Transition to low-carbon energy systems with particular emphasis on energy poverty, families, and vulnerable energy consumers. Eurofound speakers included Barbara Gerstenberger, Head of Unit, Working Life and Massimiliano Mascherini, Head of Unit, Social Policies.

Watch the video of the session