(Commonwealth)_ On the eve of the upcoming Summit on the Future of Energy Security, the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), convened a high-level roundtable at Marlborough House in London to explore the intersection of gender and energy security. The event brought together a diverse group of approximately 30 participants, including economists, academics, private sector leaders, civil society advocates, and international development experts. The aim: to examine how women can be empowered to contribute to and benefit from the ongoing global energy transition.
Held under the Chatham House Rule to encourage open dialogue, the roundtable delved into the challenges and opportunities for creating a more inclusive and just energy landscape. Delegates emphasized that gender must be a core consideration in energy policy, particularly when addressing the global shift to cleaner, more sustainable sources of power.
One of the most urgent topics raised was the continued reliance on traditional fuels for cooking. It was noted that around 2.5 billion people globally, nearly equivalent to the population of the entire Commonwealth, still depend on wood, charcoal, and other traditional fuels. This outdated practice disproportionately impacts women and girls, who typically bear the burden of cooking and are thus exposed to severe health risks such as respiratory illnesses caused by indoor air pollution.
Several participants highlighted successful clean cooking initiatives that have transformed communities by improving indoor air quality, reducing health risks, and enabling children to study under solar-powered lights instead of dim, unsafe candles. These examples demonstrated the potential of small-scale, women-led energy interventions. However, there was also frustration that, despite decades of advocacy and pilot programs, clean cooking solutions have not been scaled sufficiently to create widespread, lasting impact.
Participants raised the issue of the “Energy Trilemma,” which underscores the perceived tensions between achieving energy security, sustainability, and equity. It was argued that focusing solely on technical or economic outcomes often sidelines personal and gendered dimensions of energy policy. One delegate from the Commonwealth Secretariat urged that personal safety, particularly for women, must be recognized as part of the broader energy security framework. For instance, the simple act of installing street lighting can significantly improve women’s safety and mobility in underserved communities.
Another focal point of the discussion was the use and distribution of carbon credits in development programs. Delegates stressed the importance of improving scientific clarity and ensuring data is gender-disaggregated. Merely distributing clean cooking equipment is not enough, participants argued; what matters is whether it meaningfully improves the lives of women and their families. Without clear evidence and contextual understanding, projects risk falling short of their development goals.
The policies of Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) were also scrutinized. Some delegates pointed out that stringent restrictions, such as the exclusion of all fossil fuels, can sometimes hinder progress toward scalable, transitional energy solutions. Rather than pushing for immediate end goals, programs should be designed as progressive steps in a broader energy evolution, especially in contexts where infrastructure is still developing.
Representatives from a wide array of organizations contributed to the discussion, including the Royal Commonwealth Society, OECD, KPMG C-Suite Leadership Programme, POWERful Women, Shell, BP, Women in Carbon, Energy UK, and National Grid. The broad expertise around the table underscored the complexity of building energy systems that are not only resilient and sustainable but also equitable and inclusive. This roundtable marks a significant step in ensuring that gender remains central to energy policy debates. As the global community gears up for the Summit on the Future of Energy Security, the message from Marlborough House is clear: sustainable energy transitions must include and be shaped by the voices and needs of women.
