5 minute read
Women In Sustainability and Green Energy
Going Green: Women Powering Change
By Jessie Taylor
Various research has shown that women, especially in Africa, are disproportionately impacted by climate change. However, some women champion a greener future through their work in the sustainability and green energy fields.
Across Africa, many women rely primarily on climate-sensitive livelihoods, such as small-scale farming and manual labour. This makes them vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising temperatures. The long-term risks are food insecurity, deepening poverty, and increased exposure to violence and displacement, according to a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The UNDP stated that while progress has been made toward gender equality worldwide, we still need more effective and lasting solutions to address how climate change uniquely affects women.
But, there are several ways in which Africa is leading the change in addressing this inequality. For example, of the 41 African countries that submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), 40 included gender considerations. Several African countries have strengthened their policy and institutional frameworks to ensure gender-responsive climate action.
Other progress can be seen in how women are being empowered to become climate activists. Many women in African countries are playing a pivotal role in spearheading climate action through advocacy, community engagement and innovative solutions.
Among some of these inspiring climate change and sustainability champions are the following women:
Catherine Wijnberg
Catherine Wijnberg is the CEO of Fetola, a multifaceted business that aims to nurture the growth and sustainability of African companies and entrepreneurs. Fetola specialises in accelerating the green sector, sustainability and circular economy initiatives and works towards creating inclusive economic growth, social wellbeing, and job creation through its programmes.
Among the programmes run by Fetola is the Circular Economy Accelerator, a business growth and leadership development programme that empowers entrepreneurs to succeed as thriving, profitable SMEs operating in the sustainability and circular economy space.
She has also created the Fetola Foundation, an organisation committed to making a lasting sustainable difference in South Africa by stimulating and supporting the success of sustainability-focused initiatives. The Foundation focuses on high-impact initiatives that significantly improve the country and offers support to small businesses led by youth, women and persons from traditionally marginalised communities.
Catherine started Fetola in 2006 with a vision to contribute to transforming the South African economy by growing the small business sector. She has a wealth of experience to share with entrepreneurs, having launched successful businesses in five different sectors across three countries.
Dr. Rebecca Maserumule
Dr. Rebecca Maserumule holds the Chief Science and Technology Representative position at the National Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in South Africa. Her role is to implement the National Energy Science Technology and Innovation Plan that includes DSI energy flagship programmes of Hydrogen South Africa, Energy Storage RDI Programme, Renewable Energy Hubs and Spokes and the Coal CO2 to X RDI Programme.
The Energy Science Technology and Innovation Plan aims to support South Africa towards a just and inclusive net zero carbon economic growth for societal well being by 2050.
The plan looks at how implementing policies in partnership with stakeholders can reduce South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. It also aims to contribute to a more diverse and sustainable energy mix by enabling the widespread commercialisation of battery, fuel cell, renewable and net zero carbon technologies based on publicly funded intellectual property rights.
Dr. Maserumule believes that South Africans need to create a future in which renewables can play a role. She holds a Doctorate in Mathematics with a focus on computational fluid dynamics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Her early working career was spent as a senior researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, where she focused on using models to analyse the impact of climate change on water resources.
Ayanda Noah
Ayanda Noah is a professional engineer with around three decades of experience in the energy sector. Today, she holds the position of chairperson of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and is also Managing Director of engineering consultancy AN DUKE Solutions.
The CEF is responsible for the country’s strategic fuel supply and storage facilities. The company is tasked with acquiring the resources needed to power the country. In her role as Chairperson, Ms Noah lobbies for gender diversity and inclusivity within the energy sector.
She has been vocal about women stepping beyond their mental barriers and a lack of confidence and has called on women entrepreneurs to seize the multitude of business opportunities within the CEF’s R67-billion projects pipeline. She believes women especially have a role to play in renewable energy projects, such RedstoneSouth Africa’s largest renewable energy project. The CEF partnered with ACWA Power, a leading Saudi-based power generation technology provider, on the project.
Ayanda has also stressed the importance of supporting mentorship initiatives to empower women in the industry. She has previously served at Eskom as Group Executive for Distribution & Customer Services Division and holds an MBA from the International Management Centre, an Executive Development Programme from WITS, an Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School and a BSc (Electrical Engineering) from UCT.
Female leaders can play a critical role in climate action and creating a more sustainable future. Not only do these women lobby for a cleaner, greener future, but they are also paving the way for other women to take up roles in the energy and sustainability sectors.
