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Jul 25 2025
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Gender Power: The energy transition through a gender lens

By Publications

EN (French Version below):

Gender often remains a blind spot in energy policies of the European Union and its Member States. Yet, our relationships to energy are deeply gendered. Women are, for example, disproportionately affected by energy poverty and climate change, while remaining underrepresented in the energy sector and its governance. These inequalities are rooted in our society’s dependence on fossil fuels and the patriarchal systems that sustain them.

How can we move away from fossil fuels and carry out a socially just energy transition while reducing gender inequalities? In her new essay, Gender Power, Barbara Nicoloso explores the deep historical links between gender and energy and skillfully outlines a path toward an equitable and just energy transition.

About

This essay is divided into three chapters, which take stock of gender inequalities in Europe, analyse the links between fossil fuel energy systems and gender inequalities, and then identify ways of avoiding their reproduction in a model based on sufficiency, efficiency and renewable energy. The aim is also to show how transition policies, and in particular energy sufficiency policies, can be levers for reducing gender inequalities. Finally, we will set out the political conditions necessary for the fight to preserve the environment and the societal fight for gender equality to go hand in hand.

The aims of this essay are in line with those of the Green European Foundation: to move the political and public debate forward, towards a more social and sustainable Europe;
to support elected representatives and local actors in implementing a just transition; to promote inclusive policies to achieve Europe’s climate and energy objectives; and to ensure that the energy transition does not amplify social, ethnic and gender inequalities and can, on the contrary, help to reduce them. The essay is based on the available scientific and institutional literature on the subject, as well as interviews conducted with stakeholders with field actors as part of a Knowledge Community composed of representatives from associations, research centres, local governments, and elected officials. This group met from September 2023 to April 2024 to discuss the gender dimension of the energy transition in both the French and European contexts. This Knowledge Community also led to the publication of the policy brief “Putting Gender at the Heart of the EU Energy Transition”, co-authored by Barbara Nicoloso, which you can find by clicking here.

Author

  • Barbara Nicoloso is the director of Virage Énergie and a lecturer at Sciences Po Lille.

 

EN Publication Link

 

FR:

La question du genre est un angle mort des politiques énergétiques et climatiques actuellement engagées par les États membres de l’Union européenne. Pourtant, les femmes sont plus impactées que les hommes par la précarité, vivent davantage dans des logements de mauvaise qualité, utilisent plus les transports en commun… Tout en étant sous-représentées dans les métiers de l’énergie. 

Comment sortir des énergies fossiles et mener une transition énergétique socialement juste en réduisant les inégalités de genre ? Dans son nouvel essai, « Gender Power », Barbara Nicoloso explore les liens historiques profonds entre le genre et l’énergie, et esquisse habilement la voie à suivre pour parvenir à une transition énergétique équitable et juste. 

A propos

Cet essai est construit autour de trois chapitres permettant de dresser l’état des lieux des inégalités de genre en Europe, d’analyser les liens entre un modèle énergétique carboné basé sur les combustibles fossiles et les inégalités de genre, pour ensuite identifier la façon d’éviter leur reproduction dans un modèle reposant sur la sobriété et les énergies renouvelables. Il s’agira également de montrer comment les politiques de transition, et en particulier les politiques de sobriété énergétique, peuvent être des leviers pour réduire les inégalités de genre. Enfin, nous exposerons les conditions politiques nécessaires pour que la lutte pour la préservation de l’environnement et la lutte sociétale pour l’égalité de genre aillent de pair. 

L’objectif de cet essai rejoint ceux poursuivis par la Green European Foundation, à savoir, faire avancer les débats politiques et publics vers une Europe plus sociale et durable, accompagner les élus et acteurs locaux dans la mise en place d’une transition juste, promouvoir des politiques inclusives pour atteindre les objectifs climatiques et énergétiques européens et s’assurer que la transition énergétique n’amplifie pas les inégalités sociales, ethniques, et de genre et peut au contraire contribuer à les réduire. Il se base sur la littérature scientifique et institutionnelle disponible sur le sujet ainsi que sur des entretiens réalisés avec des actrices et acteurs de terrain dans le cadre d’une Knowledge Community (Communauté de connaissances) composée de représentant.es d’associations, de centres de recherche, de collectivités locales, d’élu.es qui se sont réunies de septembre 2023 à avril 2024 pour discuter de la dimension genrée de la transition énergétique dans le contexte français et européen. 

Cette communauté de connaissances a également donné lieu au policy brief « Le genre au cœur de la transition énergétique de l’UE », co-écrite par Barbara Nicoloso, que vous pouvez trouver en cliquant ici .

Autrice

  • Barbara Nicoloso est directrice de Virage Énergie et enseignante à Sciences Po Lille.

FR publication link

Published by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Parliament.  

Jun 14 2024
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Enough – Thriving Societies Beyond Growth

By Publications

The ecological crisis shows that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible. Meanwhile, the current economic system fails to secure livelihoods and exacerbates inequalities. There is an alternative to this self-destructive system: an economy of enough, which would provide for everyone’s basic needs while addressing greed and overconsumption.

The EU has the potential to lead the ecological transition. Although the Green Deal was a significant step forward, it remains entrenched in a growth-addicted economy centered on competition within a single market, and it does not sufficiently address social inequality. We need to envision a different European economy, rooted in a new paradigm, before we can build it.

In this essay, the authors build on the work of visionaries, both past and present, recognising that Earth is on loan to us from future generations. They explore how societies can thrive without depending on economic growth. The essay presents a compelling vision: fewer private jets, less inequality, fewer burnouts, and reduced waste, alongside more quality of life, more time for each other, more sustainable products, and a healthier planet. In other words, this essay provides the keys to imagining a different Europe – one that ensures a good life for everyone within the planet’s limits.

The ecological crisis in its entirety, including climate change, biodiversity loss and all its other facets, is without doubt the greatest challenge of our lifetime. […] For this reason, grand projects like the European Green Deal have begun to address social dimensions to guarantee that the transition is a just one.

About the authors

  • Dirk Holemans is director of Think Tank Oikos and former co-president of the Green European Foundation.
  • Lara Ferrante is a staff member at Oikos and wrote a master’s thesis on degrowth.
  • Elze Vermaas is a staff member at Oikos and former vice-chair of the Dutch young green think tank Jong Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks.

 

Endorsements

“Have you ever wondered how our social, economic and ecological crises are connected, and what we could do about them? This short and perfect book demonstrates how a ‘Wellbeing Economy For All’ addresses the interconnected crises of our time, and imaginatively motivates us to be part of its realization.” — Julia Steinberger

 

“For too long, the planetary crisis has loomed as a monstrous inevitability. But what if we dared to imagine otherwise? Enough paints a vibrant picture of a society that has transcended the limitations of endless growth, prioritising ecological well-being and human connection. It takes on the difficult task of envisioning a future where societies can thrive beyond the shackles of constant expansion and in harmony with the natural world.” — Amitav Ghosh

 

“This book does crucial work in offering vision, delivering hope and providing a way forward from a world where we are trashing the planet while creating miserable societies. It works towards a model for living within the limits of this fragile planet while allowing humans to thrive in a healthy future.” — Natalie Bennett

 

“Enough is a brilliant combination of imaginative vision, conceptual clarity and concrete proposals. A necessary handbook for an ecological civilisation.” — Roman Krznaric

 

“Enough challenges us to look beyond the current economic models that form the root cause of the climate crisis. If our human society is to survive this century, fundamental change is inescapable. This means embracing enough, coupled with a profound decolonisation of current world relations and building true democracy.” — Anuna De Wever

 

Book tour

With book tour events across Belgium, Croatia, Ireland, the UK, Finland, and Sweden, GEF is using this book to spark conversations across the continent on how Europe can reconcile social and ecological justice in a wellbeing project for all. You can watch the recordings here. 

 

This publication has been realised with the support of Oikos Think Tank and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Feb 15 2022
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Dare to Care: Ecofeminism as a source of inspiration

By Uncategorized

Context

The concept of care has become increasingly important as COVID-19 continues to make its way through populations worldwide. However, care extends beyond the strictly medical: it encompasses everything we do to preserve and restore our planet. The erosion of the welfare state, the continued plundering of the Global South, the lack of solidarity, and the persistent crossing of planetary boundaries is alarming to say the least. We can only turn the tide if we leave the instrumental view of nature and humans behind and radically care for all earthlings.

Can care offer us a fresh start based on interconnectedness, and generosity? How can care, as an emancipatory principle, underpin politics and the economy?

 

Objectives

In this booklet, we offer you a crash course in ecofeminism and invite you to get inspired by different people and movements across the world. Ultimately, these lessons, which relate to the many challenges we face today, aim to encourage us all to question ourselves about what truly means to build an “economy of care” in Europe and beyond.

 

Translations

Available in Polish.

Available in Turkish.

Available in Greek.

Available in Serbian.

Available in E-Reader format or to order in German.

 

 

About the authors

Dirk Holemans is the coordinator of Oikos think tank and co-president of the Green European Foundation (GEF). He is a researcher, lecturer and the author of Freedom & Security (EPO, 2016).

Philsan Osman studies African languages and cultures at the University of Ghent, Belgium and is a writer, activist and community builder.

Marie-Monique Franssen is staff member of Oikos think tank and co-author of The Ecological Compass (EPO, 2020). She has a master’s degree in cultural anthropology.

These translations have been realised with the support of Oikos, FREDA, and Strefa Zieleni and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.