Pedi Obani of the University of Benin outlines three emerging narratives on the prospects for women and girls in Africa’s low-carbon transition, which could provide opportunities for improvements in gender equality across the continent.
The idea of low-carbon transitions and the heightened risk of hydrocarbon assets becoming stranded is one that has occupied policy discourse in recent times, particularly in the context of Africa’s significant oil, gas and coal deposits, and heavy dependence on oil and gas for energy and revenue.
On the basis of the concept of creative destruction, notwithstanding the stranding of hydrocarbon assets and destruction of value under various low-carbon transition scenarios, opportunities still abound for the creation of value through a dynamic interplay of competition, innovation and economic growth. Ultimately, there will be winners and losers, with a disproportionate burden on marginalized regions and groups if the transition is not strategically governed to address power asymmetries and to produce inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
It is against this background that UNU-INRA has explored the risks and opportunities posed to Africa’s development by stranded hydrocarbon assets, building on scholarly knowledge and empirical findings from eight country studies.
An important point of entry for the enquiry is the just transitions discourse. Just transition is gaining increasing momentum as a metaphor for the protection of the welfare, dignity and livelihoods of workers in the hydrocarbon sector, as well as protection of the interests of host communities who have been historically impacted by the exploration and production of hydrocarbons. However, the discussions remain mainly technocratic, largely focused on job savings or reskilling, mitigation and adaptation with reference to renewable energy technologies. Beyond this, the transition from carbon-intensive energy systems to renewable energy systems also portends both wins and gains, with the inherent risk of entrenchment of power asymmetries to the detriment of marginalized actors, such as women and girls. This post focuses on the gender dimensions of low-carbon transitions in Africa.
Three distinct narratives are emerging on the prospects for women and girls in Africa’s low-carbon transition.
One narrative is cynical, in connection with jobs, poverty and access to alternative energy systems. From this perspective, the direct implications of a low-carbon transition transverse for gender equity are evident in the women’s poor representation in the workforce/space within the hydrocarbon sector and a general lack of skills and equal opportunities to benefit from a green economy, compared to men. Recent estimates indicate that women represent around 32% of the full-time workforce in the renewable energy sector, mostly in administrative positions as against science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) positions; an increase of 10% compared to the oil and gas industry. So far, employment in the renewable energy sector in Africa remains limited, and women and girls are poorly represented in manufacturing and other professions that are expected to thrive in low-carbon futures. Women also face structural challenges to harnessing entrepreneurial opportunities in low-carbon transitions. Furthermore, existing power asymmetries and high levels of poverty among women also increase the likelihood of exclusion from accessing (new) renewable energy infrastructure, just as the low recognition of gender differences in the energy policies of countries may exacerbate the inequalities in low-carbon energy systems.
A second narrative is that low-carbon transitions hold the promise of minimizing negative environmental impacts. The recent lockdowns and economic slowdowns related to the current coronavirus pandemic, coupled with geopolitics and a sharp decline in oil prices, already induced temporary stranding of hydrocarbons with improvements in air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Consistent reductions and total elimination of negative environmental impacts from hydrocarbons exploration and production activities would contribute to improved health outcomes and access to quality ecosystem services for women’s and girl’s survival and well-being. The decentralization of energy systems resulting from low-carbon transitions also presents opportunities for greater participatory governance and positive outcomes, especially where emphasis is placed on inclusion and capacity building for marginalized groups such as women and girls.
A third narrative is that the gender dimensions of a low-carbon transition remain indeterminate and will be determined by the mainstreaming of gender equality, not only in energy policies and governance systems, but across multiple sectors which also affect the outcomes of energy systems – from education to natural resources (including land and water) management. For instance, a recent International Labour Organization (ILO) report suggests that extant energy sector occupational gender stereotypes are likely to persist in low-carbon scenarios without deliberate measures to ensure that women have the needed skills in the new scenarios. It is this third narrative that seems the most likely given the low emphasis on gender equality in national energy systems at present. The essential nature of energy for human survival, well-being and economic activities, as well as for the regulation of anthropogenic climate change, demands the prioritization of universal access to affordable and clean energy as a public good. This would require special attention to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Low-carbon transitions occur within a predominantly masculine landscape, without explicit reference to the gender dimensions of education, innovation and energy systems governance. Overall, the transition discourse remains largely driven by powerful actors – mostly male and from the global North.
Notwithstanding, the creative destruction related to Africa’s low-carbon transition could provide opportunities for improvements in gender equality across the continent through jobs creation, improvements in environmental quality, and decentralized governance of energy systems. On the flip side, women and girls have been historically underrepresented in energy systems governance, suffered unequal access to energy and other resources required for resilience, and been poorly represented in the sectors that are critical for low-carbon transitions. There is a real danger that these inequities could persist in some low-carbon scenarios.
Failure to take advantage of the opportunities presented for addressing gender inequities in low-carbon transitions will likely worsen health, environmental, educational and economic outcomes, not just for women but also for the wider society. The difference will result from ensuring the effective participation of women and girls in the arenas and niches where the deliberations, policies, education and skills acquisition, innovations and governance processes underpinning the low-carbon transitions evolve.
Pedi Obani, Senior Lecturer, Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Benin, Nigeria.
The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the GGKP or its Partners.