GWNET: Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition

✨🌍 Last week, GWNET had the pleasure of welcoming Celine Strufe and Katrin Harvey from Foundations Platform F20 as guest speakers for a special webinar dedicated to #COP29. In the GWNET members-only event, our speakers shared their experiences in Baku, including their key takeaways from the global climate conference as well as how the event highlighted the role of women in climate action. Our moderator, GWNET Executive Director, Christine Lins, also asked Celine and Katrin about their advice on staying informed amidst the often overwhelming COP discourse and how they maintain hope and positivity in the face of climate challenges.💚 🎥A recording of the webinar will be available exclusively for GWNET members later this month. Look out for it in our private members LinkedIn group and the Members' Digest. If you are not GWNET Member, you can sign up for free here: https://lnkd.in/djTsDgEn #GWNET #WomenInEnergy #ClimateAction #COP29

🌊🙌 Championing Gender Equality in Hydropower Last month, GWNET Co-founder and Board Member, Barbara Fischer-Aupperle moderated a panel discussion on "Diversity in Hydropower - from Facts to Action" at Viennahydro. The speakers - all women hydro professionals of different disciplines - discussed their experiences working in a male-dominated sector as well as findings from a ESMAP-World Bank Study. The 2023 study, which was based on research by research by GWNET and the International Hydropower Association (IHA), reports that women make up only 25% of the hydropower workforce.   The panellists discussed the current status of women working in hydropower and barriers they face in the sector. Likewise, the speakers also shared recommendations to improve diversity and inclusion. According to Barbara, one key solution to improving the share of women in the sector and working towards full equity in the sector lies in the development of networks for women in hydropower all over the world. This includes the #WomeninSustainableHydropower network- also known as #WISH - #womeninhydropowermentoring, Wasserkraft. Frauen. Netzwerk. and  #femTUme. Fernanda Smith Bastian Brunetto Theresa Obernhuber Maria Collins Dr. ANDRITZ Hydro Tanja Janisch VERBUND Babette Schwarz Voith Hydro Susanna Jungmeister Vienna University of Technology Susanne Thum Hydro Consulting GmbH

🙌 🌍 Calling all women working in the clean cooking sectors of Africa, Asia or Haiti. Don't miss your chance to be part of this impactful mentoring programme. Apply here by December 13th: https://lnkd.in/dWZS8S46 https://lnkd.in/dRPUv3TF #cleancooking #sustainableenergy #WomenInEnergy

Join Our Virtual Launch Event: Energising Women to Advance the Energy Transition in SADC Region🙌🚀 Following the postponement of the SADC Sustainable Energy Week, we will now host an online event for this exciting new project, which focuses on empowering SADC women in the energy transition. This online event is open to everyone! Feel free to share with colleagues or contacts who may be interested. 🌍💚 Event Highlights: - Keynote speakers from SACREEE, ADA, GWNET as well as a special address by H.E. Ambassador Romana Königsbrun. The discussion will be moderated by GWNET co-founder and senior advisor Irene Giner-Reichl. - Introduction to the Mentorship Programme! Learn about the Energising Women to Advance the Energy Transition in SADC Region Mentorship Programme, which will officially open for applications following the webinar. (Application details which be shared after the event). 📅Date: Thursday, 5th of December 🕰️ Time: 9-10 AM Central Africa Time (CAT); 8 – 9 AM Central European Time (CET)   Save the Date & Register Now! For more details and to register, see this link: https://lnkd.in/dTmC5KJR This initiative is led by GWNET: Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC). Christine Lins Eva Hauser Nandini Venkata Maria van Veldhuizen Natalia Weber SELMA FESTUS Kornelia Iipinge-Silishebo Kudakwashe (Kuda) Ndhlukula Nokokure Kangootui #EnergyTransition #WomenInEnergy #SADC #RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #MentoringProgramme

Last week GWNET hosted its final mentor networking session of 2024.🎉🤩 We were honoured to be joined by GWNET Board Member, Victoria Healey, as our keynote speaker. Victoria shared key lessons and insights gained over her career, which includes more than two decades in renewable energy. Thank you to all of you who attended the session. It is always such a pleasure to organise these online networking events for our mentors from across the globe. Stay tuned for the 2025 dates of our mentor networking sessions. If you are interested in becoming a GWNET Mentor (which involves approx. 1 – 1.5 hours of engagement per month plus optional participation in knowledge-transfer webinars), you can register here: https://lnkd.in/dZraxxgh #GWNET #Mentoring #WomenInEnergy #WomenInRenewables #GWNETMentors #FemaleEmpowerment

In late October, we held the second Knowledge Transfer Webinar for the Empowering Central Asian Women in Renewable Energy Mentoring Programme. The session, "Accelerating the Energy Transition: Aligning with Climate Targets," featured expert insights from Gianluca Sambucini (GERE / UNECE) and Rana Adib (REN21). The webinar offered a comprehensive overview of the technical challenges and innovations shaping the transition to a low-carbon future. Rana examined the topic through a global lens, meanwhile Gianluca provided a regional perspective. The Empowering Central Asian Women in Renewable Energy Mentoring Programme is jointly organised by GWNET and the OSCE. See here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dxTepcnn #GenderEquality #WomenInEnergy #WomenInRenewables #EnergyTransition #CentralAsia

GWNET at COP29 - Women in Energy Transitions Baku Dialogue 2024 Last week, Christine Lins, our Executive Director, participated virtually in the Women in Energy Transitions Baku Dialogue 2024 as a member of the Women in Renewables Alliance 2024 Steering Committee. In her pre-recorded message, Christine highlighted GWNET’s ongoing initiatives to empower women and promote gender equity in the global energy transition. A special thanks to the organisers for including us in this important event, which brought together women leaders and male allies from around the globe to share insights, exchange practical experiences, and champion innovation and diversity in the energy sector. #WomenInEnergy #COP29 #WomenAtCOP29 #EnergyTransition #Inclusivity #Leadership https://lnkd.in/dpbMWKQG

GWNET was proud to co-organise a session at COP29’s Gender Day, alongside International Solar Alliance , International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and International Solar Energy Society ISES. At the session, "Women in Energy: Empowering Change and Driving Innovation," Christine Lins, our Executive Director, delivered a virtual inaugural address, where she emphasised women’s critical role in the global energy transition. The event highlighted successful initiatives to uplift women in energy and climate action, and also addressed barriers to women’s participation in this area. We hope this session can give rise to relevant collaborative efforts to further support women working in energy. #WomenInEnergy #COP29 #GenderDay #ClimateAction

GWNET Member Spotlight: Aruzhan Mominbayeva 🙌 We are proud to announce that GWNET Member, Aruzhan, has been recognised with a prestigious award for her commitment to advancing gender equality in climate action. In November, she won in the individual category at the CAREC Gender Climate Awards 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The awards honour individuals and organisations promoting gender equality through impactful actions in local communities, as well as at national and regional levels. Aruzhan has been working in renewable energy since 2017, and is currently a participant in the 2024 Empowering Central Asian Women in Renewable Energy mentoring programme, which is co-led by GWNET and the OSCE. At work, Aruzhan leads renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, focusing on the development of multiple solar power plants and the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) module production facility in Kazakhstan. She also is committed to developing sustainable solutions to combat desertification in the region, whilst also contributing to a greentech solution that forecasts renewable energy generation in order to ensure the stable operation of national electric grids. According to Aruzhan, the award does not only signify a personal honour, but also reflects on the collective efforts of countless individuals and organisations driving climate action, and are all contributing towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. We extend our congratulations to Aruzhan on her well-deserved achievement and wish her continued success in her inspiring journey. 🎉 --- ✨ Are you a woman working in energy and looking for career growth opportunities? Sign up for GWNET membership—it's free! You'll gain access to valuable resources (upcoming events, training opportunities, job vacancy announcements etc) and can learn about our upcoming mentoring programmes. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dMnYDtJ6 #GWNET #WomenInEnergy #OSCE #Sustainability #ClimateAction #CARECGenderClimateAwards2024

Earlier this month, GWNET supported a panel discussion on gender equity in energy storage at the ESP Stakeholders Forum in Marrakesh, Morocco. Panellists included GWNET Project Manager Natalia Weber alongside Hawa R. and Khushbakht Munir, two alumnae of our 2022 Women in Energy Storage mentoring programme. Moderated by ESMAP Gender Specialist Nathyeli Acuna, the event underscored the transformative impact of mentoring programmes in driving diversity in the sector. Now in its third edition, the Women in Energy Storage mentoring programme is organised by GWNET in partnership with the Secretariat of the Energy Storage Partnership, hosted by the World Bank's ESMAP - Energy Sector Management Assistance Program. #WomenInEnergy #CleanEnergy #EnergyStorage