Doing gender in energy communities: A gendered perspective on barriers and motivators
Melanie Vogel, Celina Kacperski, Mona Bielig, Florian Kutzner
Abstract
• Equitable renewable energy strategies must prioritize inclusivity and address energy poverty among marginalized groups. • Dismantling barriers and disrupting gendered structures are essential for ensuring equal opportunities. • Due to lack of equality, doing gender based on male superior and female subordinate can take place in energy communities. • Implementing targeted initiatives promotes gender equality and diversification within energy communities. • Policymakers should embed diversity into policies to support and enhance inclusivity within energy cooperatives. In the transition to a renewable energy system, the European Union champions community-based initiatives like energy communities to promote decarbonization as well as broader societal benefits. Despite these goals, there is a marked underrepresentation of women in energy communities. In 15 qualitative interviews with experts in community-led energy organizations mainly from Germany, our study addresses women specific barriers for participation. The modal organizational setup poses barriers in terms of existing male overrepresentation, technical knowledge as entry requirement, a focus on financial investment, heavy and inflexible time requirements, and the lack of social integration of energy communities. Organizational realities align little with women`s motivators for participation, which encompass environmental enthusiasm and social engagement. The nature of the discovered barriers is compatible with the concept of "doing gender", where malleable, socially constructed organizational arrangements perpetuate traditional gender roles and thereby hierarchies.