AWEIK WOMEN IN ENERGY AND EXTRACTIVES SERIES
In conversation with Linda Were
- Experience and Career Trajectory
With your over 12 years of experience in international development, focusing on environmental and social risk management, what defining moments have shaped your career? How have these experiences influenced your approach to ESG due diligence, stakeholder management, and sustainability reporting?
I have built my career at the intersection of sustainability, environmental and social safeguards, and ESG, shaped by experiences ranging from grassroots community engagement to corporate ESG leadership and development finance. My early work in environment and social impact assessments taught me the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement, while my role in corporate allowed me to design and implement ESG systems, resettlement frameworks, and grievance mechanisms in complex, high-stakes contexts.
As an ESG consultant, I expanded my expertise across sectors, advising on ESG strategies and sustainability reporting using frameworks such as GRI, TCFD, and TNFD. Currently in the development finance space, I support large-scale infrastructure and climate-resilient projects across Africa, ensuring compliance with safeguards while fostering inclusive development outcomes. These defining moments have shaped my holistic, people-centred, and standards-driven approach to ESG due diligence, stakeholder management, and sustainability reporting. I view ESG not just as risk mitigation but as an opportunity to advance inclusive development, foster trust among stakeholders, and drive meaningful impact for both institutions and society
- ESG in Critical Minerals and Energy Transition
The global shift toward clean energy has placed critical minerals at the center of discussions on sustainability and supply security. From your expertise in ESG gap analysis, how do you see Africa, particularly Kenya, positioning itself to manage environmental and social risks in the critical minerals value chain? What role can sustainability practitioners and women play in ensuring a just and equitable energy transition in this emerging space?
Africa, and Kenya in particular, is positioning itself to manage environmental and social risks in the critical minerals value chain through stronger policy frameworks, regional coordination, and an increasing focus on transparency, local value addition, and the formalisation of artisanal mining. In Kenya, the Mining Act of 2016 provides the overarching legal framework, complemented by regulations such as the Local Goods and Services Regulations (2017), Employment and Training Regulations (2017), Community Development Agreement Regulations (2017), and the Mining Sharing Regulations (2023). The Act also mandates compliance with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (2007), requiring companies to safeguard workers, rehabilitate mined land, prevent pollution, and provide an environmental protection bond to cover rehabilitation obligations. However, gaps remain in enforcement and implementation. Sustainability practitioners play a crucial role in translating these legal requirements into practical safeguards, traceability systems, and inclusive benefit-sharing mechanisms. Women, as decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and community stewards, play a central role in ensuring that the energy transition is just and equitable by influencing how resources are governed, benefits distributed, and impacts monitored.
- Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Sustainability
As a woman in the sustainability and international development fields, which have their unique challenges, what barriers have you faced in leading teams? How have you navigated these challenges, and what insights can you share with other women aspiring to excel in this industry? In your opinion, what role can organisations like AWEIK play in providing a supportive network for women seeking to advance in technical and leadership roles within the extractives and sustainability sectors?
Sustainability is a dynamic field that demands adaptability and continuous learning. As a woman leader in male-dominated spaces, I have learned to navigate challenges such as securing buy-in for change through technical expertise, persistence, and stakeholder collaboration. I believe resilience and authenticity are powerful tools for leadership. By investing in my skills, seeking mentorship, and building strong alliances, I position myself to lead with impact.
Organisations such as AWEIK can advance women’s participation and leadership by offering mentorship and networking opportunities, building technical and leadership skills through training and capacity development, and advocating for gender-inclusive policies and practices. They can also provide platforms for visibility by recognising women’s achievements, creating safe spaces for dialogue and support, and fostering cross-sector collaborations.
- Parting Shot: A Call to Action
What key actions should industry stakeholders, including governments, private sector companies, and community organizations, prioritize to ensure meaningful participation of women and local communities in sustainable development projects? Are there specific policies or initiatives, particularly related to ESG reporting that could drive greater social equity and positive development outcomes in the extractive sector?
To ensure meaningful participation of women and local communities in sustainable development projects, governments and private sector must embed gender equity and inclusive safeguards into laws and ESG disclosure requirements, while offering incentives for companies that deliver measurable social outcomes. They should also integrate global ESG standards and reporting. Ultimately, making inclusion both measurable and reportable is the pathway to achieving just and positive development outcomes in the extractive sector.