Kerri Gooding
Published on November 9, 2026
CCREEE’s first side event at the CARICOM Pavilion at COP31 placed inclusion at the center of discussions on how the Caribbean can advance its energy transition while creating meaningful opportunities for women and young people.
Held on Monday, 9 November 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye, the session, “Inclusion as an Implementation Driver and Economic Enabler: Driving a Just Energy Transition through Gender, Youth and Inclusive Leadership,” brought together regional and international voices from the energy, climate, development and creative sectors.
The well-subscribed discussion examined how women and young people can participate in, influence and benefit from the transition to sustainable energy. Panelists considered persistent barriers relating to technical training, access to finance, employment, entrepreneurship and leadership, while exploring practical ways to strengthen participation across the sector.
Key areas of discussion included the value of mentorship and professional networks, the development of relevant skills, inclusive financing and the importance of partnerships in creating pathways for women and youth. The conversation also underscored the need to integrate inclusion into energy planning, programmes and investments from the outset.
The session generated meaningful exchanges among panelists and participants, with discussions continuing after the event. These conversations are creating opportunities for future collaboration, partnerships and joint initiatives that can help advance inclusive energy development across the Caribbean and beyond.
CCREEE continues to support this agenda through initiatives such as its Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Fellowship and Energy Report Card (ERC) Internship Programme, which contribute to building capacity, strengthening professional networks and expanding opportunities for participation in the energy sector.
The event formed part of CCREEE’s broader engagement at COP31 under the theme “From Commitments to Caribbean Implementation: Accelerating Energy Transition Delivery through Regional Platforms and Partnerships.”
Interested in learning more about CCREEE’s initiatives or exploring opportunities for collaboration? Contact CCREEE to continue the conversation.
