Report on "Energy Transition and Gender Equality: Opportunities for Spanish Youth"
One of the main findings of the study showed that 72% of young people have a high level of awareness of the importance of caring for the environment, with this figure being slightly higher among young women (74%) than among young men (70%). Regarding the latter, the study reveals that the higher the income and level of education, the more environmentally aware young men are, while young women always show the same level of awareness, regardless of their level of education or income.
The analysis also highlights that one in three young people consider working in fields related to the environment and new energies. Sustainability is an aspect that increases the appeal of companies to young people. In the same vein, half of young people would like to play a more active role in the design of climate policies.
The report suggests that there is a high degree of unfamiliarity among young people about gender equality issues in the field of energy transition. In response, the study proposes raising awareness among young people and frames the ecological transition as a major opportunity to attract more women to higher-growth energy sectors (renewables) and reduce the gender gap in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
"With studies like this one together with the IE Foundation and with our work at the Just Transition Observatory, we want to promote active listening among the public and the public and private sectors to offer joint proposals for the future. Together we must ensure that the ecological transition is fair and reduces the existing gaps," says Teresa Mañueco, Vice President of Fundación Cepsa. "One of the main results of this study together with IE Foundation highlights the need to raise awareness among young people about this opportunity to promote gender equality through the energy transition. If one in three young people are considering working in fields related to the environment and new energy, as this report has shown, we must focus efforts on promoting gender-equitable careers in the sector in the future," she adds.
The authors of the report, Custodia Cabanas, Patricia Gabaldón, and Konstantina Valogianni, professors at IE University, noted in the report the need to understand and promote the connection between sustainability, energy transition, and gender equality to address global challenges. Understanding the link between gender equality and the energy sector is critical to ensure a just and equitable transition to more sustainable energy, promoting opportunities for equality.
The analysis provides other recommendations such as the opportunity presented by the inclusion of women, most of whom are more environmentally conscious, in management positions in the sector to improve the competitiveness of companies, which are increasingly interested in focusing their management on ESG criteria. It also analyzes the integration of young women into STEM careers to overcome the educational inequality and promote their education for the jobs of the future.
The report was presented in Madrid by two of its authors: Custodia Cabanas (Professor and Vice Dean of Internal Faculty at IE University) and Patricia Gabaldón (Professor of Economics at IE University). The presentation of the conclusions was followed by a round table discussion with Andrea González (President of the Spanish Youth Council), Isabela del Alcázar (Chief Sustainability Officer at IE University), Mónica Chao (President of Women Action Sustainability), and Ramón Pueyo, (Partner and Head of Sustainability and Corporate Governance Services at KPMG Spain), and chaired by journalist Pilar García de la Granja. Teresa Mañueco (Vice President of Fundación Cepsa) and Gonzalo Garland (Executive Vice President of the IE Foundation) opened the event.
- The IE Foundation and Fundación Cepsa presented today in Madrid their report entitled "Energy Transition and Gender Equality: Opportunities for Spanish Youth," which states that one in three young people is interested in working in areas related to the environment and sustainable energy
- The report found that most young people have a high level of awareness of the importance of caring for the environment and that they would prioritize working in companies that put sustainability among their strategic pillars
- The study highlights the opportunity that the energy transition can bring to improving gender equality, an impact that is currently unknown to most young people.
- Full report: download
One of the main findings of the study showed that 72% of young people have a high level of awareness of the importance of caring for the environment, with this figure being slightly higher among young women (74%) than among young men (70%). Regarding the latter, the study reveals that the higher the income and level of education, the more environmentally aware young men are, while young women always show the same level of awareness, regardless of their level of education or income.
The analysis also highlights that one in three young people consider working in fields related to the environment and new energies. Sustainability is an aspect that increases the appeal of companies to young people. In the same vein, half of young people would like to play a more active role in the design of climate policies.
The report suggests that there is a high degree of unfamiliarity among young people about gender equality issues in the field of energy transition. In response, the study proposes raising awareness among young people and frames the ecological transition as a major opportunity to attract more women to higher-growth energy sectors (renewables) and reduce the gender gap in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
"With studies like this one together with the IE Foundation and with our work at the Just Transition Observatory, we want to promote active listening among the public and the public and private sectors to offer joint proposals for the future. Together we must ensure that the ecological transition is fair and reduces the existing gaps," says Teresa Mañueco, Vice President of Fundación Cepsa. "One of the main results of this study together with IE Foundation highlights the need to raise awareness among young people about this opportunity to promote gender equality through the energy transition. If one in three young people are considering working in fields related to the environment and new energy, as this report has shown, we must focus efforts on promoting gender-equitable careers in the sector in the future," she adds.
The authors of the report, Custodia Cabanas, Patricia Gabaldón, and Konstantina Valogianni, professors at IE University, noted in the report the need to understand and promote the connection between sustainability, energy transition, and gender equality to address global challenges. Understanding the link between gender equality and the energy sector is critical to ensure a just and equitable transition to more sustainable energy, promoting opportunities for equality.
The analysis provides other recommendations such as the opportunity presented by the inclusion of women, most of whom are more environmentally conscious, in management positions in the sector to improve the competitiveness of companies, which are increasingly interested in focusing their management on ESG criteria. It also analyzes the integration of young women into STEM careers to overcome the educational inequality and promote their education for the jobs of the future.
The report was presented in Madrid by two of its authors: Custodia Cabanas (Professor and Vice Dean of Internal Faculty at IE University) and Patricia Gabaldón (Professor of Economics at IE University). The presentation of the conclusions was followed by a round table discussion with Andrea González (President of the Spanish Youth Council), Isabela del Alcázar (Chief Sustainability Officer at IE University), Mónica Chao (President of Women Action Sustainability), and Ramón Pueyo, (Partner and Head of Sustainability and Corporate Governance Services at KPMG Spain), and chaired by journalist Pilar García de la Granja. Teresa Mañueco (Vice President of Fundación Cepsa) and Gonzalo Garland (Executive Vice President of the IE Foundation) opened the event.
