Green Skills, Grey Areas: Is India’s Transition Just?

India is undergoing a structural transformation as it races towards a clean energy future with over 200 GW of renewable capacity already achieved and a 2030 target of 500 GW from non-fossil sources. The country is not just reshaping its energy systems—it is reimagining its economy. Flagship initiatives like the FAME scheme for electric mobility and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, are  projected to generate millions of new jobs across burgeoning industries. This national momentum is mirrored by state-level efforts, such as Maharashtra’s ambitious plan to create one lakh jobs across key renewable sectors like EV components, solar modules, lithium-ion batteries and green steel.

Yet, beneath this impressive, futuristic vision, lies a critical, often overlooked question: who gets to benefit from this new economy? Without deliberate action, women—disproportionately concentrated in sectors vulnerable to automation and climate shocks risk being left behind. Their absence from the most promising green roles is not just a missed opportunity; it threatens the inclusivity and resilience of India’s growth story.  A truly just transition must be built on inclusion—not merely as a moral commitment, but as a catalyst for India’s long-term economic strength.

As the world prepares to observe World Youth Skills Day on July 15, with its focus on future-ready skills, India must reflect on whether its young women are being equipped for tomorrow’s green economy. 

The potential is enormous. The electric vehicle (EV) industry alone is projected to create 10 million direct and 50 million indirect jobs by 2030. Green hydrogen is  projected to attract investments exceeding ₹8 lakh crore and generate over 600,000 jobs. But this transition isn’t only about environmental goals; it’s about reshaping the foundations of opportunity. If women continue to be sidelined, the transition will reinforce old inequalities rather than dismantle them.

Signs of exclusion are already visible. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2023–24)  only 18.9% of women aged 15–29 received formal training, compared to 33% of men. And when women do receive training, they are often channeled into shrinking sectors like textiles and childcare, rather than high-growth fields such as green energy or clean mobility.This not only limits their prospects but exacerbates their economic vulnerability.

At a time when legacy sectors are contracting, the green economy could offer a vital lifeline. But access remains skewed. Roughly 85% of green skills training currently goes to men. Emerging high-potential roles— such as fuel cell technicians, hydrogen safety engineers often lack clear entry points in skilling systems, creating high barriers for women. This oversight means the very structural shift that promises a sustainable and just future, could ironically, leave women further behind. What is needed is not a patchwork of isolated schemes but a comprehensive, systemic response. India’s energy transition must be inclusive by design. We propose a 6E Strategy—Exposure, Empowerment, Enabling Environment, Education, Entry, and Entrepreneurship to build equitable pathways for women in the green economy

We begin with Exposure and Empowerment. Far too many young women remain unaware of the possibilities within STEM and the green economy. Bridging  this information gap is essential. Early exposure to climate-related careers, supported by strong mentorship and women-led networks, can transform aspirations into action. The experience from Latin America and the Caribbean is instructive—though overall female representation in renewables remains low, robust women’s networks have made the sector more accessible and aspirational. Role models matter—seeing women succeed in these spaces shifts what girls believe is possible.

Next, we need an Enabling Environment through Education. Quality vocational training—particularly through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)—must become more accessible and relevant for women. Odisha’s Sudakshya scheme offers a promising model: with targeted outreach and financial incentives, women’s ITI enrolment rose from under 6% to over 20%. Building on such models, the Skill India Mission should earmark funds for green skilling for women, covering stipends, transport, and digital tools—so women are not just present but prepared to lead.

Finally, we must create avenues for Entry and Entrepreneurship.  Gender targets and accountability mechanisms must be embedded into flagship programmes like Surya Mitra, FAME-II, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The gaps are glaring : under Surya Mitra, for instance, only 836 out of 2,251 women trained have found jobs— a clear disconnect between training and employment.. India can draw from global examples like South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) which mandates that women benefit from project through hiring and ownership.

Simultaneously, India must boost support for women-led green enterprises.The success of Frontier Markets’, which has  trained over 10,000 rural women to distribute solar and digital products proves what is possible with the right backing. Concessional credit, mentorship, and incubation support can position women not just as participants but as leaders in the green economy. 

India’s green transition is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. But who benefits from it is a matter of policy design. Without a deliberate gender lens, we risk building a new economy on the same old fault lines of inequality. Inclusion is not inevitable; it must be engineered. If we’re serious about sustainability, we must be equally serious about equity. That means investing, not just in solar panels and hydrogen hubs, but purposefully in our women—as workers, leaders, and changemakers.

Sumeysh is an Associate Director and Harshita is an Analyst at the public policy firm TQH (The Quantum Hub)