Baku, Azerbaijan – November 16, 2024 – During the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), the Women in Renewables Alliance (WiRA) successfully hosted the “Women in Energy Transitions: Baku Dialogue” event. The conference focused on the critical role of women in driving the global energy transition and explored how impact investments can promote gender equality and innovation in sustainable energy.
Participants of the "Women in Energy Transitions: Baku Dialogue" Event
The Women in Renewables Alliance (WiRA) is a global platform dedicated to addressing gender gaps in the clean energy sector. WiRA’s mission is to advocate for greater gender equality and diversity in clean energy transitions. Through investments in training programs, scholarships, and infrastructure development, WiRA provides women with clear pathways for career advancement, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for women in renewables.
Ms. Wang Ju, Secretary General of the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), was invited to join the leadership panel discussion titled “Impact Investments, Gender Equality, and Sustainable Energy: Enabling More Women for More Energy Innovations.” During the discussion, Ms. Wang shared insights from IHFCA’s Global Environment Facility project, “China Green Hydrogen: From Production to Hard-to-Abate End Uses.” She emphasized the project’s commitment to advancing hydrogen innovation while ensuring at least 30% of participants are women. Ms. Wang highlighted the vital roles women play in research, policy development, project management, and impact assessments, showcasing their unique abilities to address energy challenges. She reiterated IHFCA’s dedication to promoting gender inclusion and empowering women in the hydrogen sector.
Ms. Ju Wang, Secretary General of IHFCA, Shares Insights During the Panel Discussion
Following the panel discussion, Ms. Wang was honored with the prestigious “2024 Impact Ambassador Award” in recognition of her outstanding contributions to advancing clean energy technologies and promoting gender equality. As the sole East Asian recipient of this year’s award, Ms. Wang joined other awardees from Europe and the Middle East in showcasing the global influence of women in renewable energy.
Other awardees included:
- Irina Gorbounova , Vice President of M&A and Head of XCarb Innovation Fund, ArcelorMittal, recognized for her leadership in advancing clean technology investments.
- Alicia Eastman , Co-Founder of InterContinental Energy, celebrated for her contributions to cross-regional green hydrogen project collaborations.
- Boyana Achovski , Secretary General of Gas Infrastructure Europe, awarded for her achievements in energy infrastructure innovation and women’s empowerment.
As a prominent figure in the hydrogen sector, Ms. Wang’s award underscores the leadership role of women in clean energy and highlights Asia’s significant contributions to global energy transitions.
Ms. Ju Wang, Secretary General of IHFCA, Receives the "2024 Impact Ambassador Award"
The “Women in Energy Transitions: Baku Dialogue” event underscored the importance of women in driving energy innovation and advancing gender equality. Through shared experiences and collaborative strategies, the event offered new perspectives for achieving global energy transition and sustainable development goals. Moving forward, IHFCA will continue to champion cross-sector collaboration and technological innovation, creating more opportunities for women to lead and make impactful contributions in the clean energy sector.