Women in Renewables- An interview with Divya Hariramani

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in the renewables and sustainability sector?

I inadvertently pursued this career because of my mother—she’s an architect, which is inspiring enough, but what inspired me the most is the way she raised us. Since I was young there was an instilled connection with our natural environment despite living in the centre of a big city like Madrid. Our home was a living example of the circular economy, with my mother constantly finding innovative ways to re-use or re-design things to make our space better. 

This upbringing instilled in me a deep awareness of sustainability and a desire to work with buildings, being able to influence how we make them more efficient, less polluting, and ultimately creating an environment that is more livable for all. Initially, I considered pursuing architecture to address these challenges. However, my path led me to mechanical engineering, which ultimately opened the door to becoming a sustainability professional.

What I love most about working in sustainability within the built environment is the opportunity to connect diverse elements. It's not just about reducing carbon emissions, though that's crucial. It's about understanding the intricate relationships between biodiversity, water management, health and well-being, and the entire building ecosystem.

Now, in my current role focusing on renewable energy, I have the opportunity to not only tackle large-scale decarbonization but also advise our clients through a holistic view of how everything interconnects. Working together to make these spaces better for all.

2. What are some challenges you’ve faced as a woman in this industry?

 As a woman in this industry, I've faced several challenges, but one that stands out is the intersection of gender and age bias. In my 20s, I was often perceived as 'too young to be an expert,' which made it difficult to establish myself as a sustainability lead, especially when working with design teams where many leads were twice my age.

I frequently encountered resistance to change, with attitudes like, 'We've been doing buildings this way for years, so why change?' Pushing for innovation and sustainability as a young woman in these environments was particularly challenging.

Now in my 30s, while some of these challenges persist, I've developed strategies to navigate them more effectively. I've honed my skills to ensure my voice is heard in meetings and decision-making processes.

We need more diverse perspectives from all to make better projects for our clients.

3. Have you had any mentors who influenced your journey?

My experience with mentorship has been somewhat unconventional. While I haven't had traditional mentors in the typical sense, I've found immense value and guidance from my peers, especially early in my career.

Starting out in a young startup environment fostered a culture of mutual support and learning. My colleagues and I often found ourselves navigating new challenges together, sharing insights, and growing collectively. This peer-to-peer mentorship has been invaluable, providing diverse perspectives and creating a collaborative learning environment that has significantly shaped my professional development.

While I’ve had a few people I looked up to, it is now my priority to find a mentor in the renewable energy space who is not afraid to lead from a place of kindness, and creates the tangible change we need in the industry.

4. Can you share a defining moment in your career?

Defining moments often only become clear in hindsight. In the moment, you're just focused on keeping projects moving forward, building your team, and getting things done.

For me, one of my biggest defining moment was in 2020 when I was given the opportunity to build and lead a Sustainable Design business unit. What started as a dive deep into topics I was passionate to research more off, such as embodied carbon, health and wellbeing and the circular economy, became a clear value- add proposition for our clients that lead to unbelievable projects and leading a team of over 20 people worldwide. I’m grateful to my younger self for her curiosity and unwavering tenacity to build something that resonated with so many. I certainly have learnt so much—both about what works and what I would do differently in the future.

5. What advice would you give to women looking to break into the renewables or sustainability fields?

I wholeheartedly encourage women to join the renewables fields. This sector is experiencing record public and private investment, with demand for clean energy growing year on year, bringing significant decarbonization benefits. Yet, there's still so much more to do.

We desperately need more innovation and diversity to tackle our clean energy challenges, and we can't do this without women. While the energy sector remains predominantly male, it's even more crucial for women to pursue careers in this field.

The industry is in constant evolution, making it an incredibly dynamic space to be part of. There's so much innovation happening that we get to be part within our consultancy projects, and it's truly an exciting time to be at the forefront of this transformation. For women looking to break into renewables or sustainability, my advice would be to embrace the challenges, seek out mentors and allies, and never underestimate the unique perspective you bring to the table. Our contributions are not just valuable – they're essential.

6. What is one stereotype about women in the workplace you’d like to break?

One stereotype I'd like to break is the notion that women in leadership positions must embody traditionally 'masculine' traits to be successful. I've witnessed many women in leadership positions feeling pressured to be highly assertive, competitive, independent, and to have the loudest voice in the room.

I understand why this has been necessary, but I don’t believe it’s the only path to success. Leadership can also come from a place of kindness, openness, and inclusivity. There is strength in that.

Great leadership is about leading by example, and if we foster a culture of openness and support, that will become the standard. I hope to see a shift toward leadership styles that prioritise empowerment and collaboration rather than authority and competition.

7. Where do you see the future of women in your industry?

The future for women in renewable energy and sustainability is incredibly promising. It needs to be! I see women excelling across all aspects of the industry - from engineers and project managers on the ground, to researchers pushing the boundaries of new technologies, to executives shaping corporate strategies, and policymakers influencing global sustainability agendas.

The renewable energy sector need this diversity of perspectives to drive meaningful change. As this field continues to grow and evolve, the unique insights and approaches that women and others bring to the table will be crucial in tackling complex challenges and fostering innovation. I'm optimistic that we'll see even more women entering and leading in this space, further enriching the industry with their diverse experiences and viewpoints.

8. How has the industry evolved, and what benefits has this delivered to teams and projects?

The energy industry has evolved significantly in recent years, particularly in the renewable sector, which has seen an increase in female representation. While the traditional energy sector workforce comprises only 22% women, the renewable energy workforce has a higher percentage at 32% women. This shift towards greater gender diversity in renewables is encouraging, although there's still a long way to go to achieve true equity.

The benefits of this evolution are tangible. In my experience at Syzygy, working alongside incredible women across the business has empowered and enabled me to lead our consultancy projects more effectively. Our diverse team bring a wider range of perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions we can offer our clients.

However, it's important to note that progress is still needed. As of 2023, only 29% of board seats in the UK energy sector were held by women, with just 16% in executive board roles. The industry needs to continue pushing for change to fully harness the potential of diverse talent and perspectives in addressing our energy challenges.

9. What else is needed to attract and retain female (and wider) talent in this field?

To attract and retain female and diverse talent in the renewable energy sector, fostering an inclusive workplace culture is crucial. Within our Syzygy team, we've built a culture that encourages open discussions, diverse thoughts, and innovation. There's no such thing as a "stupid question," and everyone is empowered to think creatively rather than just follow conventional methods. This environment not only supports personal growth but also drives collective success.

To further enhance our ability to attract and retain diverse talent, it's important to implement supportive policies and leadership development programs. This includes offering flexible work arrangements, mentorship opportunities, and ensuring equal access to career advancement. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, we can encourage more women to join and thrive in the renewable energy sector, ultimately enriching our industry with diverse perspectives and innovative ideas.

10. What does Women’s History Month mean to you in the context of sustainability and driving positive change?

For me, this month underscores the critical need to amplify all voices in our teams and projects, particularly those that have been historically marginalized. It's clear that our current approaches to sustainability haven't been sufficient – if they were, we wouldn't be facing such a severe climate crisis. This realization reinforces my commitment to creating space for women and other underrepresented groups in our industry.

Ultimately, Women's History Month reminds me of my responsibility to not only continue pushing for change but also to actively facilitate opportunities for others to rise and take action. By embracing diverse perspectives and ensuring all voices are heard, we can drive better, more innovative, and truly sustainable solutions. It's not just about celebrating past achievements; it's about shaping a more inclusive and effective approach to tackling our environmental challenges.