Blog[Interview]
International Women's Rights Day
Women's Rights Day
Portraits of the project's actors:
Gwennael Jezequel, Environment Manager
Every year, 8 March celebrates International Women's Rights Day. In this context,
Ailes Marines wanted to highlight the women who operate
every day to help the project move forward.
Zoom in on their careers, their missions and their daily motivations.
What is your background?
I started my studies with a DUT in Chemistry, done in Rennes, then a degree in Chemistry during an Erasmus year, at Cardiff University in Wales.
Afterwards, I decided to do my Masters in Cardiff in Renewable Energy and Natural Resource Management. I stayed there for 5 years. It was then that I started my professional career working on renewable energy projects and energy efficiency programmes.
Back in France, I completed my studies with a second master's degree in Corporate Social Responsibility at the IAE Gustave Eiffel in Paris.
How long have you been working on the project?
I have been working on the project since September 2018.
What is your role?
I hold the position of Environmental Manager. In concrete terms, I am responsible for implementing the project's Environmental Management System. This system allows us to control the possible environmental impacts of the project. This involves compliance with environmental regulations, pollution prevention, risk management and the reduction of consumption and emissions: waste, raw materials and energy. It also allows us to apply our environmental policy and the environmental objectives we have set ourselves.
In this way, I steer thecontinuous improvement of the project's environmental performance.
On a day-to-day basis, I raise the teams' awareness of environmental issues and act as a link with the many internal and external stakeholders in the project. It's a cross-cutting subject that is present at all levels.
Environmental issues have been present from the very beginning, from the development phase and in particular :
- During the selection of subcontractors (carried out through upstream and field audits)
- During the construction phase and during the operation and maintenance phase
I am also responsible for the broader sustainability aspects of the project in line with the Group's objectives.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I particularly enjoymeeting our subcontractors and explaining our environmental challenges, commitments and standards. It is also very rewarding to help them create procedures related to their specific activity. The issues are very varied. For example, depending on the elements of the park, the environmental aspects of our subcontractors' construction sites will not be at all the same as during construction at sea.
I meet a lot of people in the teams who are really aware of the issues. At the end of my day, I feel that I have made a difference in my own way.
I also like the idea that "everything has to be created", as offshore wind power in France is something new. It's a very topical subject which is evolving rapidly. Environmental management at sea is what makes this job so special. My work has meaning and it means a lot to me.
If you had to describe your mission in 3 words?
There is a preparation part but also a very operational part, with a lot of fieldwork and meetings with our suppliers.
In 3 words: Agile, Impactful, Responsible.
Why did you get involved in the
Renewable Marine Energy sector?
It was a choice that was made at the beginning of my studies.
I grew up in Brittany, on the Pink Granite Coast, where the environment and nature are part of our daily lives. I have always been aware of the need to preserve the environment. I quickly understood that we could use the natural and inexhaustible resources of the region - such as the sea wind - to meet local energy needs.
As soon as I had the opportunity, I launched myself into this sector of activity, which I saw as necessary, obvious and promising. Today, I am happy to be able to combine my professional life with my personal convictions.
Women's rights: the fight against inequality
The fight against inequality is a real challenge for society and one that continues to be fought.
For over 40 years, the United Nations has placed this cause at the heart of its sustainable development goals, stating that " Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, it is also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world".
In order to be aware of the key figures surrounding this issue, a review is carried out each year to monitor progress in this fight, as well as the challenges that remain, on a global scale.
As a reminder
- More girls in school
- Fewer girls forced into early marriage
- More women in leadership positions and in parliament
- Laws and reforms to advance gender equality
Despite these advances, many challenges remain:
- Persistent discriminatory laws and social norms
- The under-representation of women at all levels of political power
- The rate of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence
Together, let's continue to fight against inequalities.