Gender and renewable energy: Policy, analysis, and market implications

Women are the main producers of energy in developing countries and households are the main users of energy. Because gender roles and traditions have been largely ignored in energy, the global potential for renewable energy has been negatively affected. However, microcredit lending could fund sustainable development technology. This paper argues that renewable energy, gender roles, and microfinancing should be inherent parts of sustainable economic development programs. The relevant activities of pertinent development organizations and potential synergies are briefly described, the plans of the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory to explore the gender issue are summarized, and the evolution of gender and energy as a field is addressed.