If you’ve ever walked into an energy sector boardroom and felt like you accidentally stepped into an all-boys club, you’re not alone. Women are estimated to make up 15% of the workforce in India’s energy sector, as per a study that will be released by NRDC and CEEW. And leadership roles? Even fewer.

This isn’t just a gender equity problem; it’s a business and innovation crisis. McKinsey research showed that companies with diverse leadership teams are 25% more likely to outperform their competitors. Yet, the energy sector continues to face skewed gender hierarchies. For the industry to power the future, it needs to start by flipping the switch on outdated HR policies.