Equality, diversity and inclusion and gendered analysis for place-based hydrogen solutions

Abstract

A global endeavour to accelerate reduction of the carbon dioxide emissions (‘decarbonisation’) of the economy and to encourage the use of diverse non-fossil-fuel energy vectors, including hydrogen, is underway. Hydrogen transitions are mainly driven by technological specifications and centred on the adoption of new specialised skills. Limited attention is given to other social aspects such as workforce diversity and existing local skills sets, which are also critical to enabling such transitions. There is strong evidence that the energy sector is male-dominated. However, there is growing consensus that gender diversity in energy sector workforces can bring about socio-economic and environmental benefits. Place is also increasingly gaining recognition as a key driver of social, economic and environmental benefits from energy transition. This paper reviews 26 national and regional hydrogen strategies, through a gendered analysis and a place-based perspective, to evaluate the extent to which developing hydrogen solutions in a range of locations is furthering equality, diversity and inclusion towards a just transition – a fair distribution of benefits and opportunities across genders. The paper aims to open up a discussion with engineers, decision makers and hydrogen industry professionals about applying gendered and place-specific analysis to emerging decarbonisation technologies.