Donna Gartland, the head of Dublin’s Energy Agency Codema, has won the European Sustainable Energy Award 2026 in the Women in Energy category, recognising her role in driving Ireland’s transition to low-carbon heat, while promoting gender equality in the workplace.  

Gartland came first in an online public vote, receiving the award at the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) Awards Ceremony on June 9, 2026, in Brussels. 

The Dublin Energy Agency head has been instrumental in leading a landmark district heating project using waste heat from a nearby data centre to supply municipal and residential buildings, as well as securing major EU funding under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme.  

 

At the same time, Gartland has transformed workplace practices, mainstreaming gender equality and progressive policies, including a four-day working week on full pay and a gender-neutral family leave policy. 

“We ensure our job specs are appealing to both women and men, and have a bias-free, fair and consistent recruitment process,” she added, with the result that women now make up the majority of Codema’s workforce and senior leadership across all sectors of the agency – “a significant achievement in Ireland’s traditionally male-dominated energy sector”.

Donna Gartland was one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2026 in the Women in Energy category, which recognises women who lead outstanding activities that, if replicated, help to advance the clean energy transition in Europe.

Particular attention is placed on efforts to drive the gender mainstreaming agenda and support equality and equal opportunities in the energy sector. The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals, projects and initiatives that advance Europe’s transition to clean energy in three categories – SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency, Local Energy Action, and Women in Energy. Nine finalists were selected by a high-level jury before being submitted to an online public vote.