New Delhi: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy organised a high-profile event titled "Women in Renewable Energy: A Dialogue on Policy, Technology, Skilling, and Finance" in New Delhi, said the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy in a statement. The event aimed to recognise and enhance the role of women in the renewable energy sector, driving India's transition towards a net-zero economy.
Addressing the event, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, R K Singh, underscored India's commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement and its achievements in the renewable energy sector. Singh also urged women to increase their participation in the sector, emphasising their potential to lead India's energy transition towards net-zero emissions.
Singh highlighted the significance of women-centric policies and frameworks in the renewable energy sector, emphasising that women play a pivotal role in combating climate change. Their effectiveness in driving change at the grassroots level through community engagement and household-level action was acknowledged. He emphasised the potential for women, particularly in rural areas, to benefit from Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) and gain reliable livelihood opportunities. Additionally, he highlighted the role of women in promoting green cooking practices, a crucial step towards achieving net-zero emissions.
B S Bhalla, Secretary of MNRE, emphasised the increasing opportunities for women in the renewable energy sector and the importance of education, training, and capacity building in the field of renewable energy sources.
The event, held in collaboration with NRDC India (Natural Resources Defense Council India) had objectives like learning from the experiences of women leaders in implementing and utilising renewable energy technologies on the ground, recognising the pivotal role of women in the renewable energy value chain and explore how their increased participation, aided by supportive policies, innovative financial mechanisms, and capacity building, can impact long-term energy security and identifying challenges and potential interventions related to finance, technology, and skill development to scale up the implementation of women-led climate-friendly solutions.
To celebrate the accomplishments of women in the renewable energy sector, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced categories for recognition which include fostering a gender-diverse workplace, outstanding woman entrepreneurs (excluding rural areas and including start-ups), rural women entrepreneurs, NGOs or Civil Society Organisations encouraging women for the use of Renewable Energy and women leading the change for renewable energy in urban and rural areas.
The event witnessed participation from over 180 stakeholders across the value chain, including representatives from union ministries, state departments, multilateral organisations, financiers, technology suppliers, think tanks, and beneficiaries.
(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)