The challenges for gender diversity and inclusion in the wind energy industry and the ESG perspective of organizations

Abstract

Context: Gender Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) has been a challenge for the energy and renewable energy industry. The wind energy industry has carried out a series of practices and initiatives to fulfil ESG criteria - environmental, social and governance, however the topic of D&I is still a paradigm for sector organizations. Objective: This paper aims to present how the wind industry can promote D&I to meet ESG criteria, specifically, mapping industry challenges to promote D&I practices. Method: The research methodology is a qualitative case study with 10 semi-structured interviews from different executive and managerial positions in organizations in the wind energy sector. Results: The results demonstrated that there are a series of challenges and some ongoing practices, but the gap between these practices and initiatives and the culture of organizations is still a sectoral bottleneck. Contribution: The scientific and practical contribution of the research lies in presenting a kaleidoscope with 5 main challenges for continuing the discussion of D&I in companies, as well as 10 practices reported by interviewees that unfold into a roadmap for the global wind sector.