Solving Gender Inequality in the Climate Tech Industry

It’s #WomensHistoryMonth, so let’s talk about solutions to gender inequality in the #climatetech industry.

According to new World Economic Forum data, gender bias is likely to be present in emerging technologies if the fields are traditionally male-dominated.

Sustainable Ocean Alliance is modeling the evolution that we want to see in the industry. We consistently drive change in the ocean tech space by mentoring, accelerating, and investing in dozens of emerging, women-led startups and progressive companies. In fact, I’m proud to share that – very intentionally – a full 60% of our grantees identify as female.

From this experience, we know that if women are to play an equal role in the advancement of transformative tech, industry leaders and organizations must actively and intentionally build a more equitable future.

So where to begin?

For leaders: What can you do to break the cycle of industry prejudices and biases against women??

1. Listen to women. Translate learnings by implementing workplace policies like flexible and remote work that support employees who also serve as primary caretakers and shoulder a double burden. Do this, and watch women’s contributions, productivity, and job satisfaction increase. At SOA, for example, our #DreamTeam works across time zones and continents and still manages to be highly productive (see our 2022 Impact Report as evidence!).

2. Cede the floor. Address and eliminate microaggressions in the workplace. Encourage women to share their innovative ideas and create an environment that enables them to challenge the status quo without fear of retaliation.

3. Promote women. Ensure talented and qualified women at your organization advance from entry to mid-level to senior leadership – or risk attrition.

4. Create community for women. Implement programs that build a supportive network.

For women: What can you do to break into male-dominated fields??

1. Work with people who value YOU. I am a big advocate of building a brain trust of experienced, supportive mentors and colleagues who believe in you and speak your name in a room filled with opportunity.

2. Be your own biggest advocate, and don’t excuse your presence. It’s so important to drown out the doubting voice in your head that questions your abilities and contributions. Imposter syndrome is a symptom of internalized misogyny from living and working in a patriarchal society; so take your power back.

3. Elevate the women around you. For so long women have been conditioned to be competitive with one another and that there is only room for one woman in an industry full of men. But in reality, it is so clear that strategy doesn’t work. Studies have even shown women in particular benefit from collaboration over competition and women who support women are more successful in business. In order to truly change the industry, we have to prioritize raising each other up and bringing more women along with us on the journey to success.?

4. Lastly, voice your ideas. Propose re-engineering a concept. Take a risk, be fearless, and put yourself out there. Remember, the WORST thing that can happen is for someone to say “no.”

The best part of this all? YOU create the change you want to see; both on the microcosmic level (at your company/in your industry), and on the macrocosmic spectrum, as we collectively shift our shared professional reality to become more equitable and inclusive.

Happy Women’s History Month!

– Daniela V. Fernandez