Women and Low Energy Construction in Europe

The European Union (EU) 20/20/20 targets to reduce energy use, increase renewable energy, and reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 particularly impact on the construction sector, given that it is responsible for 40 per cent of EU CO₂ end-use emissions. This chapter focuses particularly on the UK and argues that the social obstacles to fulfilling these targets are much the same as those confronting the greater participation and integration of women in the construction industry. Given the changes required in the labour process and in vocational education and training (VET) systems and given EU policy to comply with a more inclusive employment strategy if energy targets are to be met and the performance gap to be overcome, perhaps now is really the time for the construction industry to become less exclusive. The UK compares particularly unfavourably with other European countries in terms of women's participation in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical) professions.