SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) is a global platform established by Masdar in 2015 to empower women as leaders in sustainability.
Rooted in the UAE’s commitment to gender equality and aligned with the nation’s ambitious net-zero goals, WiSER focuses on education, engagement and empowerment.
The initiative aims to equip women with the necessary tools to tackle climate change while addressing the gender disparities prevalent in sectors such as renewable energy and climate finance.
WiSER provides a space for women to take a leadership role in the global sustainability movement and supports their participation in shaping a sustainable future.
At the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, WiSER Pioneers 2025 spoke to Aletihad about how the programme empowers women to lead in sustainability and tackle climate challenges.
Anna Dai, founder at Varea Energy and WiSER Pioneer 2025, reflected on her experience in the energy sector: “WiSER empowers women in a male-dominated field, providing a platform where we can share stories, support each other and innovate together.”
Anna said the programme has fostered collaboration and mutual learning among women in the energy sector, helping them overcome challenges and build support networks.
On the role of women in sustainability, she highlighted the unique perspective that women bring to sustainability and energy.
Anna believes that women’s involvement in the industry brings a “dualistic parenting” approach, blending idealism with practicality to address both immediate and long-term sustainability challenges.
A female perspective can foster a more comprehensive and balanced approach to addressing complex issues like climate change, she added
Anna’s research has revealed significant deficits in communication and coordination within the industry.
“By facilitating dialogue, you can often identify existing solutions and bridge those gaps,” she said.
Eduarda Zoghbi, Climate and Energy Specialist with the Partnership Team at the Climate Investment Fund and WiSER Pioneer 2025, said that WiSER provides a platform for women to connect, share experiences and innovate together.
She pointed out that while women bring invaluable potential to the table, this potential is often overlooked.
“Only 1% of venture capital goes to women entrepreneurs,” she explains, urging the need for more support for women in entrepreneurship and policymaking to unlock the full potential of women in the energy sector.
Eduarda advocated for engaging young people and vulnerable communities in climate action and sustainability.
“Engaging with young people at an early age is crucial,” she said.
She also noted that vulnerable communities, particularly indigenous ones, possess valuable knowledge that should be incorporated into climate action strategies.
“We need to give these communities the space they need and bring their knowledge to the table,” Eduarda explained, urging greater inclusion of marginalised voices in the global sustainability movement.
She concluded by stressing the importance of women in shaping a sustainable future: “To find the diverse solutions we need, we must involve more women and support them in assuming leadership positions.”