As the world races to combat climate change, one of the most powerful solutions lies in unlocking the potential of women and youth. On the sidelines of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 69th session, a groundbreaking event titled “Powering Change: Women, Youth, and the Clean Energy Revolution” will shed light on how these groups are pivotal in driving the global clean energy transition.
The event is set to be a powerful platform for showcasing the integral role of these often underrepresented groups in reshaping the energy landscape.
Women and youth have long been at the forefront of innovative solutions to global challenges, and their contributions to clean energy are no exception. Women bring unique leadership and perspectives to the table, offering fresh solutions and insights that can transform the energy sector. Youth, on the other hand, are often driving the demand for new technologies, sustainable practices, and ambitious policies.
Both groups face significant barriers to participation in the energy sector, but they also possess immense potential to reshape the future of energy systems. Empowering women and youth not only creates more equitable opportunities but also strengthens the overall resilience of energy systems. As the world grapples with the realities of climate change, it is essential that the voices of women and youth are heard, their talents recognized, and their leadership supported.
Photo by Axel Fassio/CIFOR
The Powering Change event comes at a pivotal moment for the global energy transition. As nations work toward meeting climate goals, women and youth are too often left out of decision-making processes. However, the inclusion of these groups in the energy sector is vital for achieving both social justice and environmental sustainability. By empowering women and youth, we can create a more inclusive and diverse energy workforce that drives lasting change.
The clean energy transition is not just about reducing carbon emissions; it’s also about economic growth, job creation, and social justice. However, to fully unlock its potential, the transition must be gender-sensitive and inclusive.
Without proper training, financial support, and employment pathways, many women and young people will miss out on opportunities in the sector. This could slow economic development and make it harder for countries to meet global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bipasha Baruah, Professor & Canada Research Chair in Global Women’s Issues.
This is event is in-person only and for anyone who is attending The Commission on the Status for Women 2025 (UNCSW).
Location: CCUN, 10th floor
Time: 4:30 to 6:00 pm EST
In the face of climate change and its disproportionate impact on agriculture, finding sustainable solutions for smallholder farmers is more critical than ever. With agriculture being the backbone of many Sub-Saharan African economies, adopting low-carbon technologies in this sector offers immense potential to drive inclusive economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Recently, a ground-breaking field experiment on low-carbon agricultural technology was launched under the leadership of our research team at Makerere University. This initiative is part of a collaborative effort involving the Environment for Development (EfD), the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada.
The research, conducted with key partners such as the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Musa Body Machinery Uganda, and SunCulture Uganda Limited, seeks to identify and address the barriers to adopting renewable energy solutions in agriculture. This work builds on the objectives of the Clean Energy for Development Call to Action (CEDCA) initiative, which strives for a just and inclusive energy transition.
Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is predominantly small-scale, with many farmers lacking access to affordable and sustainable energy solutions. Diesel-powered irrigation systems and inefficient farming methods are still common, increasing costs and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Low-carbon technologies such as solar irrigation systems and renewable energy-powered machinery can transform agricultural practices. SunCulture Uganda Limited, one of the key collaborators, with its partners, provides solar irrigation kits that are not only affordable but also easy to maintain. By adopting such technologies, smallholder farmers can improve yields, reduce operational costs, and build climate resilience.
Our field experiment focuses on understanding the systemic barriers preventing widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions in agriculture. These include high upfront costs, lack of financing options for small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and limited technical knowledge among farmers.
Through this research, we also aim to identify opportunities for scaling renewable energy technologies. Collaboration with local stakeholders, such as Musa Body Machinery Uganda, ensures that these solutions are contextually relevant and accessible.
Credit: Aisha Nanyiti, PEP
For sustainable solutions to have a lasting impact, research needs to influence policy. The involvement of Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in this project ensures that findings from the field experiment are integrated into national clean energy strategies. This collaboration will provide actionable recommendations to policymakers, emphasising the importance of investing in renewable energy for agriculture to achieve both economic and environmental goals.
The project highlights the critical role of MSMEs in driving the clean energy transition. As engines of local economic growth, these enterprises are key to delivering energy solutions to underserved communities. However, many MSMEs struggle to access financing and markets, limiting their ability to scale innovative solutions.
By partnering with organisations like PEP, which specialises in evidence-based policy research, this initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs to deliver renewable energy technologies. Moreover, the field experiment directly engages smallholder farmers, ensuring that their voices and experiences shape the design and implementation of these solutions.
The broader goal of this initiative aligns with the CEDCA vision of creating inclusive, low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. Renewable energy solutions for agriculture are not just about reducing emissions—they are about empowering communities, enhancing food security, and creating green jobs.
The collaboration between EfD, PEP, and IDRC demonstrates the power of partnerships in tackling complex challenges. By bringing together researchers, policymakers, and private sector actors, this initiative lays the foundation for a cleaner, more equitable future for agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa.
As field experiments progress, the findings will provide valuable insights into how renewable energy solutions can be scaled to benefit smallholder farmers and rural communities. The hope is that these efforts will serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across Africa and beyond, demonstrating that a just clean energy transition is not only possible but also transformative.
Today, on the International Day of Clean Energy, we highlight the urgent need for an inclusive and equitable energy transition, aligned the 7th sustainable development goal; Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
The Clean Energy for Development Call to Action (CEDCA), supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), is a step towards ensuring that clean energy solutions benefit all, particularly marginalised groups who are often left out of global climate initiatives.
The transition to clean energy is not just about reducing carbon emissions—it’s about rethinking who benefits from the transition. For too long, marginalized communities have faced energy poverty while wealthier nations and corporations shape the agenda. Without proactive interventions, the shift to low-carbon economies could deepen existing inequalities.
“We see clean energy as the golden thread between economic development, social inclusion, and environmental protection,” says Erin Tansey, Director of Sustainable Inclusive Economies at IDRC. This means that investing in clean energy must also mean investing in communities, jobs, and justice.
CEDCA takes a systems-level approach to clean energy development by integrating research, policy engagement, and financial innovation. With 12 research projects spanning 27 countries, the initiative seeks to ensure that clean energy solutions advance sustainable energy access, promote green jobs, and enhance gender equality in the energy transition.
One of the key pillars of CEDCA’s work is generating evidence to inform policies and investments. This includes:
Access to clean energy is not just about sustainability; it is about economic empowerment. Millions of people in low-income communities still rely on expensive and polluting energy sources, limiting their economic opportunities. Clean energy solutions, such as solar microgrids, energy-efficient cookstoves, and wind power, can transform livelihoods, improve health, and create new job markets.
A major focus of CEDCA is the promotion of clean energy enterprises led by women and youth. By fostering financial inclusion, capacity-building, and entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector, CEDCA ensures that these groups are not just passive beneficiaries but active contributors to the green economy.
One of the significant barriers to clean energy adoption in developing regions is financing. Many small businesses and households struggle to access credit for renewable energy solutions due to high upfront costs. CEDCA is working to address this by developing innovative financing models, such as microfinance, pay-as-you-go solar models, and blended finance mechanisms that reduce investment risks.
Moreover, policy coherence is essential to scaling up clean energy access. Many countries still lack regulatory frameworks that incentivize clean energy adoption. CEDCA collaborates with policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to create evidence-based policies that encourage investment in sustainable energy solutions.;
“By ensuring better-aligned policies and investments, we can accelerate the transition to low-carbon economies that work for everyone,” says Duggan.
One of CEDCA’s key contributions is fostering South-South collaboration. Many successful clean energy initiatives have emerged in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and sharing knowledge across these regions is crucial for scaling up solutions. Through research networks, policy dialogues, and cross-country learning exchanges, CEDCA ensures that best practices are widely shared and implemented.
One of the critical gaps in climate research has been the disconnect between policymakers, investors, and communities on the ground. CEDCA seeks to bridge this gap by fostering dialogue between these stakeholders;
“Often, research provides recommendations for national policymakers or investors, but we rarely see them in conversation with each other,” Duggan explains. By creating spaces for these discussions, CEDCA helps translate research into actionable policies and investments that drive a just energy transition.
A major focus is on developing financing mechanisms that de-risk investments in clean energy initiatives. By working with policymakers, CEDCA is advocating for regulatory frameworks that incentivize sustainable energy investments and ensure they benefit local economies.
As we mark the International Day of Clean Energy, the message is clear: clean energy must be accessible, inclusive, and just. Initiatives like CEDCA demonstrate that meaningful change is possible when research, policy, and community voices come together. Watch this video to learn more about IDRC’s aspirations for the CEDCA initiative.
2X Global, in collaboration with Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) and supported by Canada’s International Development Research Center (IDRC), is launching an innovative research project seeking to improve the outcomes for women-led clean energy enterprises through applied research. This applied research will focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific.
We are looking for local and women-led fund managers across these markets with an investment thesis and strategy that has a gender and climate lens and seeks to contribute to a low carbon energy transition. 2X Global, with its 2X Ignite initiative and regional research leads, will be selecting 10-20 gender- smart fund managers who will receive support to develop case studies that demonstrate the impact potential at the nexus of gender and climate, enabling a clean energy transition.
We will be selecting local, women-led fund managers who are originally from and operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, or Asia-Pacific with an investment thesis and strategy that has a gender and climate lens, and seeks to contribute to a low carbon energy transition. Emerging and first-time fund managers, evergreen vehicles and non-traditional fund structures are welcome. It is desirable for the fund manager to have made some investments under its thesis but these can be early track record deals.
The project is expected to run over a period of 12-24 months during which we will co-create a new or enhance an existing Impact Management & Measurement System (IMM), and collect impact data over a meaningful time period. The fund manager must consent to share key metrics of the IMM and agree for a case study to be published open access on the 2X Global website and research publications for academic and practitioner audiences. Confidential information can be defined collaboratively and removed from publication. To learn more about the project, please contact us.
If you are interested in contributing to this research project, please complete the Expression of Interest form on the 2x Global website here. 2x Global will be accepting and reviewing expressions of interest on a rolling basis and encourage early submissions. Fund managers will be selected by year end 2024.
The CC Facility Learning Hub is seeking to build upon the knowledge within its inaugural report on gender-responsive blended climate finance transactions in the energy sector, through engaging with a local institute to collaborate on the design and implementation of a research project (“the project”).
The project will inform key data gaps in the gender-climate nexus, specifically within the blended climate finance market.
Growing evidence points to women playing a critical role in achieving climate goals, acting as benefit-multipliers and important agents of change at all levels of society. There is thus an urgent need to leverage their roles as consumers, workers, borrowers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders and increase investments into transactions that incorporate both gender and climate considerations.
Yet, mainstreaming gender in climate vehicles often encounters a myriad of barriers. This is apparent in the blended finance market, where out of the 551 climate blended finance deals in Convergence’s Historical Deals Database (HDD), only 22% were gender-responsive, a considerably lower proportion than the overall trend in the blended finance market where 31% of the deals were gender-responsive.
The project will therefore consist of conducting research with the goal of helping to mobilize higher levels of private sector capital into gender responsive climate transactions.
Click here to view the Request for Proposal (RFP) for details.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) 2024, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, featured a pivotal session on “Women Entrepreneurs in the Clean Energy Sector: Challenges and Opportunities.” This session provided an invaluable platform to discuss gender inclusivity in energy transitions, highlight innovative projects, and drive momentum for policies fostering gender equity.
The ECOWAS region faces pressing energy challenges, with only 57% of its 420 million people having access to electricity and 20% to clean cooking fuels according to the ECOWAS Directorate of Energy and Mines (DEM). Against this backdrop, ESEF 2024 focused on advancing sustainable energy policies, with gender equity being central to achieving these goals.
The ECOWAS Policy for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access (2017) and directives such as the Gender Impact Assessment in Energy Projects have laid a foundation for integrating women into the energy transition (ESEF-2024-Concept-Note). However, systemic challenges persist, necessitating platforms like ESEF to spotlight transformative solutions.
The Women and Clean Energy in West Africa (WOCEWA) project, initiated in February 2024, was highlighted during ESEF as a vital initiative under the Centre for Energy for Development: A Call for Action Initiative(CEDCA). Aligned with the ECOWAS Policy for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access, WOCEWA collaborates with energy-sector small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to empower women and address gender-specific challenges within their operations.
Key Components of WOCEWA:
WOCEWA’s mission embodies the transformative potential of gender-inclusive energy strategies, equipping women with the tools, skills, and opportunities needed to excel in renewable energy
Their contributions exemplified the breadth of female expertise in West Africa’s energy landscape.
Bipasha Barua, CEDCA’s Gender Equality and Inclusion Adviser, provides essential insights into systemic barriers women face in clean energy transitions:
Bipasha’s assertion that “energy is power” reinforces the urgency to dismantle gender hierarchies and integrate gender-sensitive approaches in energy policies and projects. Her work with CEDCA aligns perfectly with WOCEWA’s mission, emphasising targeted education, inclusive policies, and proactive measures to ensure equitable access.
Despite challenges, the clean energy sector offers immense potential for women entrepreneurs:
ESEF 2024 illuminated the indispensable role of women in achieving ECOWAS’s sustainable energy targets. Initiatives like WOCEWA and insights from experts like Bipasha Barua underscore the transformative potential of a gender-inclusive approach to energy transitions.
CEDCA remains committed to championing these efforts, ensuring that women across West Africa not only participate in but lead the region’s clean energy revolution.
As COP29 concludes in Baku, Azerbaijan, global leaders and stakeholders reflect on the progress made in addressing the climate crisis. With its focus on sustainable energy transitions, equitable climate finance, and inclusive policymaking, this year’s conference highlighted the critical role of clean energy in achieving climate resilience. These themes resonate strongly with the priorities of CEDCA (Clean Energy for Development: Call to Action), which emphasizes knowledge translation, community-led solutions, and gender-inclusive strategies for clean energy development.
COP29 reinforced the urgency of transitioning to clean energy to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The energy sector remains the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 75% of global emissions according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Discussions at the conference stressed the need for rapid decarbonization and increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
CEDCA’s initiatives align with these goals, advocating for knowledge-driven, scalable energy solutions tailored to local contexts. Its projects focus on bridging research and practice to ensure energy transitions are sustainable and inclusive.
One of COP29’s key takeaways is the importance of localized, context-specific approaches to clean energy. Global solutions must be adaptable to the unique needs of communities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). CEDCA’s projects emphasize this principle, advocating for community-driven initiatives such as solar microgrids and clean cooking technologies.
For example, decentralized renewable energy systems have been transformative in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, providing reliable and affordable energy to communities previously reliant on fossil fuels. These systems align with COP29’s push for technologies that not only reduce emissions but also empower local populations.
COP29 also underscored the critical role of climate finance in accelerating energy transitions. A renewed pledge to mobilize $100 billion annually for climate action highlighted the urgency of channelling funds toward clean energy projects. However, equitable allocation remains a challenge.
CEDCA advocates for innovative financing models, such as blended finance and community contributions, to ensure resources reach underserved areas. These models are essential for scaling renewable energy projects while fostering local ownership and sustainability.
Gender equity was a major focus at COP29, particularly in discussions on climate adaptation and resilience. Women, especially in LMICs, face systemic barriers to accessing clean energy and participating in decision-making processes. Yet, they play a critical role in driving community-based solutions.
CEDCA’s projects align with this emphasis, advocating for gender-responsive approaches to clean energy. For instance, initiatives promoting women’s leadership in renewable energy sectors have demonstrated significant benefits, from increased adoption rates to enhanced social trust. These findings echo COP29’s call for inclusive policies that prioritize the voices and needs of marginalized groups.
A central theme at COP29 was the need to turn research into actionable solutions. CEDCA’s projects address this gap by providing tools and strategies for effectively bridging the divide between academic findings and real-world applications.
Key priorities include:
These approaches are essential for ensuring that clean energy transitions are not only scientifically robust but also practical and impactful.
As COP29 draws to a close, the message is clear: clean energy is not just a technological challenge but a social and economic imperative. By integrating insights from COP29 and CEDCA’s initiatives, we can advance sustainable, equitable energy transitions that benefit all.
Explore our latest findings and insights in the publication Clean Energy for Development: A Call to Action on IDS OpenDocs.
Powering Bolivia: Decentralised Renewables for Economic Growth and a Just Transition
The GENERIS-Bolivia project aims to develop policy guidelines to promote an energy transition that will strengthen Bolivia’s productive structure, with special emphasis on the role of decentralised renewable energies in the economic performance of micro- ,small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and in job creation.
South American countries have made international commitments to energy transition within the framework of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), posing multiple challenges. These challenges require coordinated actions among national actors to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate their impacts without compromising development. In Bolivia, as in other countries in the region, these challenges arise not only at the macroeconomic level but also at the sectoral level, placing pressure on the energy sector’s ability to meet the conditions necessary for inclusive development.
Currently, Bolivia’s energy mix is predominantly composed of fossil fuels: 80% natural gas and 12.9% oil. Yet the country has access to a diverse range of renewable energy sources, particularly solar, in a large part of the national territory. This would allow it to transition to cleaner sources of energy. Thus, the NDCs proposed by the country propose to increase the production of energy from renewable sources in the primary mix. However, natural gas and electricity generated mostly with fossil resources are an essential source of foreign exchange for the country. Between 2019 and 2023, fossil fuels accounted for a quarter of the value of exports. As a result, Bolivia’s macroeconomic stability rests in the short and medium term, at least partially, on an export basket in which fossil fuel commodities are essential.
The energy transition can create opportunities in the domestic market by increasing household and corporate access to high-quality energy while reducing dependence on exportable primary fossil fuels and certain imported fossil derivatives. Currently, 99.2% of urban households and 81.5% of rural households in Bolivia are connected to the power grid. However, in the Beni and Pando districts, rural access drops to 70%, leaving approximately 200,000 families nationwide without reliable electricity service. Among urban micro and small production units in the industrial sector, 98% are connected to the power grid, but only 6% have access to natural gas, with LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) usage (22%) largely offsetting this limitation. In rural areas, while electricity is widely available, access to natural gas and even LPG is even more limited among households and agricultural and forestry production units.
However, energy access numbers obscure other energy, economic, and cultural factors that influence the level and way productive units consume energy and, consequently, their economic performance and ability to create quality employment. These factors include power outages, voltage drops, high energy costs, and lack of access to natural gas, among others. These challenges impede the performance of productive units, primarily rural and family-based enterprises, which are crucial for meeting domestic food market demands and preserving Bolivia’s food sovereignty. These enterprises also have the potential to integrate into global agrifood value chains, where environmental sustainability—through green certifications required by developed countries—is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, providing these productive units with access to renewable energy sources and incorporating distributed energy systems could enhance the quality and reliability of energy access, resulting in numerous benefits:
Fish farming is a great example of how adopting Distributed Renewable Energy Access (DREA) systems can support an energy transition aligned with sustainable development goals. These systems can be used by agricultural and forestry productive units, as well as MSMEs that process these resources. River fish farming involves more than 1,500 productive units in Bolivia. Although these units have access to electricity, it is typically provided under a residential tariff structure, as productive activities are integrated into the home. However, this electricity supply comes with high periodic bills when usage is intensive, creating challenges for producer families due to their inconsistent cash flow.
Because of these conditions, gasoline is the primary fuel used by production units to oxygenate the pools, clear weeds from the edges, transport feed, and empty the pools for annual cleaning. However, accessing this can be difficult: its relative price is high and there are monthly quotas limiting the amount that can be purchased. This forces households to endure long lines to obtain it, and even then, the quota often falls short of meeting their productive needs.
In this context, DREA offer a viable solution to generate the electricity required for the various activities involved in fish farming. These systems not only improve the economic performance of production units but also affect the organisation of time for the families managing them by reshaping how time is allocated.
This replicable model highlights the positive impact DREA systems can have on the economic performance of rural MSMEs, the well-being of their members, and their contribution to Bolivia’s energy transition.
Growing evidence suggests that women play a critical role in achieving climate goals; both as leaders in advancing climate solutions, as well as beneficiaries. There is therefore an urgent need for more investments into transactions that incorporate both gender and climate considerations.
Yet, mainstreaming gender within climate vehicles often encounters a myriad of barriers. This is apparent in the blended finance market, where out of the 551 climate blended finance deals in Convergence’s Historical Deals Database (HDD), only 22% were gender-responsive, a considerably lower proportion than the overall trend in the blended finance market where 31% of the deals were gender-responsive. Recognizing this, the Catalytic Climate Finance Facility (CC Facility) Learning Hub recently released its inaugural report on gender-responsive blended climate finance transactions in the energy sector. The report provides an analysis of the data behind these transactions and highlights case study examples. It also explores the challenges to successfully launching gender-energy blended transactions and suggests recommendations for investors and practitioners to help increase their effectiveness in implementing these deals.
A commonly discussed challenge was simultaneously addressing climate and gender objectives within the same transaction. Often, investors approach each in a silo, understanding one of the objectives but failing to be proficient in the other. This is especially the case for smaller funds that do not possess large technical assistance (TA) facilities, or for institutions with limited resources that must prioritize impact measurement and monitoring for a single or small set of objectives.
A lack of standardized frameworks and metrics for these dual objectives further complicates efforts. While climate metrics, especially those for mitigation, are more established, investors and practitioners repeatedly signaled the lack of standardization in gender-related metrics as a significant challenge for structuring and investing in gender-responsive climate transactions. Moreover, limited or non-disaggregated data can also make globally recognized metrics and criteria neither useful nor relevant.
The report suggests several ways of overcoming these challenges to integrate both gender and climate within a transaction. One is through monetizing the gender co-benefits of climate vehicles through gender credits. Co-benefits are advantages that climate solutions provide above and beyond helping to fight climate change. Tacking gender co-benefits onto a climate transaction can be strategic since it capitalizes on investor demand for climate while adding a premium for gender equality. The second method is by using TA and financial incentives simultaneously to hit gender key performance indicators (KPIs) within climate transactions.
Two cases demonstrate how gender co-benefits can be monetized through the sale of gender credits.
The first is the Clean Impact Bond (CIB), launched by Sistema.bio in 2022. The CIB is a type of development impact bond that contributes to the broader use of clean cooking technologies by increasing access to clean appliances for low-income customers across Africa. It does this by drawing on upfront funding for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that manufacture and distribute these appliances. The outcome buyer will purchase the health and gender co-benefits generated from the use of these appliances, as a type of credit. Considering women are largely the demographic positively affected by clean cooking, gender co-benefits can play an important role in such a vehicle.
The CIB demonstrates that there is a viable way to monetize gender co-benefits in the climate finance market by accomplishing two crucial outcomes: i) it provides data-driven metrics for quantifying the impact and monetary value of gender and health, and ii) it demonstrates the existence of willing buyers for gender and health co-benefits. In this way, the CIB offers a starting point for determining a revenue stream for gender credits, as well as identifying the presence of outcome funders.
The second case that exemplifies the use of gender credits is the W+ Standard issued by WOCAN. The W+ Standard allows projects to certify quantifiable contributions to women’s empowerment and emissions reduction. For example, carbon emissions reduction projects that deliver benefits to women can add the W+ Standard to their existing projects, which can then be sold for a premium price to carbon buyers seeking co-benefits for gender equality/women’s empowerment, or to address SDG 5 (Gender Equality). One credit is equivalent to a 10% improvement in the lives of women in the project community.1 The W+ Standard requires that at least 20% of the price of the sold credit is provided to women of the project community, to support their self-determined goals. In general, incorporating gender credits into a transaction can encourage more rigorous tracking and reporting on gender-related outcomes, leading to greater transparency and accountability in how investments impact women and gender equality.
A further recommendation within the report for incorporating a gender-lens in climate transactions is to deploy TA and financial incentives together. One barrier to incorporating a gender-lens is the lack of knowledge of how to do so; TA can provide the necessary training to help a deal sponsor develop and measure gender outcomes. Financial incentives can then be an important tool to encourage companies to follow-through and meet these established goals.
An example of a transaction that has done this is the Beyond Finance Asia-Pacific Facility, a blended finance initiative that aims to enhance women’s access to funding and essential services in the Asia-Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa regions. Beyond Finance uses TA to help incorporate a gender-lens in the development of climate adaptation products. When KPIs are achieved, it triggers the provision of interest rate reductions for investees.
Meanwhile, Deetken Impact, a fund manager, uses TA to improve the gender scores of its portfolio companies. As part of its due diligence process, Deetken devised a gender scorecard that covers five main principles: women in leadership and governance; workplace equity; professional development programs for women; value chain and advocacy; and community engagement. Through their TA training programs, they have been able to improve outcomes across each of these focus areas, deepening impacts and moving beyond simple headcounts. Deetken also uses TA to improve gender outcomes within large-scale solar projects while partnering with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Invest, which provides financial incentives in the form of lower interest rates to encourage a transaction to hit its climate and gender milestones.
These cases demonstrates that while financial incentives can be a powerful motivator for prioritizing gender outcomes, TA-enabled advisory support is a necessary precursor to creating and reaching reasonable and customized targets.
Whether a transaction uses gender credits to monetize the co-benefits of gender in climate transactions or incentivizes gender-lens investing through deploying financial instruments and TA simultaneously, there are opportunities for blended finance deal sponsors to break down silos to achieve dual social goals. Gender credits can help create a scalable, standardized framework for investors to understand the impacts of gender-lens investing. Meanwhile, gender advisory support can help transactions meet KPIs, and even unlock financial incentives such as reduced interest rates, that create momentum for reaching gender goals. By adopting these strategies, investors can more effectively align their financial goals with broader social and environmental impacts, driving progress towards a just and resilient transition.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural communities face a myriad of challenges that hinder productivity and sustainability. Dr. Ferdinand Tornyie, a Research Fellow at the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa, sheds light on a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionising agricultural practices through clean energy-powered technologies. The “Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies” (INFoCAT) project seeks to eliminate drudgery in agricultural value chains and empower women, who are often the backbone of rural economies.
Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is labour-intensive and time-consuming. Harvesting and processing crops such as peanuts (groundnuts) require extensive manual labour. Farmers, particularly women, spend countless hours on these activities, often involving their children and diverting them from education. Dr. Tornyie highlights a specific example where women spend up to five hours plucking peanut pods—a task that could be completed in just ten minutes with appropriate machinery. This inefficiency not only hampers productivity but also affects the quality of life and economic prospects of these communities.
The INFoCAT project aims to introduce clean agricultural machinery designed to reduce the physical labour involved in such tasks. By doing so, it not only boosts the productivity and incomes of smallholder rural farmers but also ensures that children can stay in school, contributing to the long-term socio-economic development of the region.
A core component of the project is the integration of clean energy sources. The global agenda on energy transition underscores the importance of moving away from fossil fuels and biomass burning, which are prevalent in rural farming communities. These traditional energy sources are hazardous to health and contribute to environmental degradation. For example, using firewood for food processing exposes women to harmful smoke and pollutants, while collecting firewood depletes forests and consumes valuable time.
By adopting clean energy solutions like solar power, the project aims to create a sustainable and healthy environment for farmers. Solar-powered machinery not only reduces the health risks associated with traditional practices but also offers a cost-effective and long-term solution for energy needs in agriculture. This shift is crucial for maintaining environmental integrity and ensuring the health and well-being of rural populations.
The “Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies” project employs a holistic approach that involves all stakeholders from the outset. Policymakers, green entrepreneurs, women’s groups, and experts collaborate to design and implement these technologies. This inclusive methodology ensures that the technologies developed are tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by the communities.
Smallholder farmers and agro-processors, who are the primary users of these technologies, actively participate in the co-design process. Their input is invaluable in creating solutions that are practical and effective in reducing labour-intensive tasks. By involving policymakers from the beginning, the project ensures that the technologies developed are aligned with national development goals and policies, facilitating smoother adoption and scaling.
One of the significant aims of the project is to generate evidence that can influence policy and drive broader adoption of clean agricultural technologies. Demonstrating the benefits of these technologies from both an economic and environmental perspective is crucial. By showing how clean energy solutions can enhance productivity, improve health outcomes, and contribute to environmental sustainability, the project aims to create a compelling case for policymakers.
This evidence-based approach not only facilitates the adoption of these technologies at a local level but also informs national policies on energy and agriculture. By showcasing successful implementations, the project hopes to inspire similar initiatives across the region, driving a widespread transition towards clean energy in agriculture.
The project’s success is made possible through the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Their sponsorship and commitment to funding innovative solutions in food, agriculture, and energy are instrumental in bringing these ideas to fruition. The backing from IDRC not only facilitates the development and implementation of clean agricultural technologies but also supports efforts to scale these innovations, ensuring they reach more communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The “Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies” (INFoCAT) project represents a significant step towards transforming agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. By addressing the drudgery in agricultural practices, integrating clean energy solutions, and fostering inclusive development, the project aims to create sustainable livelihoods and empower women in rural communities. As the project progresses, it holds the promise of not only improving agricultural productivity but also contributing to the broader goals of environmental sustainability and socio-economic development in the region.