The World Biogas Association’s (WBA) Women in Biogas Survey Results report 2026 provides an updated assessment of gender representation, workplace practices, and career progression opportunities across the global biogas sector.

Women remain relatively underrepresented across the sector, accounting for approximately 28% of the workforce and 25% of senior leadership positions. These figures have remained largely unchanged since previous surveys. Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported that their organisations have Equality and Diversity or Equality and Inclusion policies in place. 35% of respondents reported having a dedicated equality and diversity group or committee, and fewer than one-third indicated that their organisations systematically collect gender equality data.

The survey found that many organisations have introduced initiatives aimed at supporting women in the industry. The most common measures include parental leave policies, staff training, positive recruitment strategies, and equality-focused working groups. Encouragingly, the proportion of organisations reporting no gender equality initiatives has declined since the first survey in 2022. Nevertheless, implementation remains uneven and often fragmented, limiting the overall impact of these efforts.

Barriers to careers were cited including work-life balance pressures, limited leadership opportunities, gender bias and discrimination, unequal pay, and insufficient access to
mentoring and professional networks.

Networks, informal support, mentorship and knowledge sharing are often mentioned as enablers of women in the sector. A notable positive case study showcased in the report is Mulheres do Biogás (Women in Biogas Brazil), a professional network that has successfully created opportunities for mentoring, knowledge exchange, visibility, and leadership development for more than 590 women across Brazil and Latin America. Its success demonstrates the value of dedicated industry networks in supporting women’s participation and career advancement.

The report recommends prioritising parental leave and flexible workplace policies, strengthening professional networks, expanding learning and development opportunities, improving gender-disaggregated data collection and reporting, and embedding diversity initiatives more deeply into organisational culture. Sustained action in these areas will be essential to building a more inclusive, diverse, and resilient global biogas sector.

Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the time and effort of the survey respondents and information shared by Mulheres do Biogás (Women in Biogas Brazil).