Global renewable energy jobs reached 12.7mn in 2021; Report

The “Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2022” has revealed that worldwide employment in renewable energy reached 12.7 million last year, despite the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the growing energy crisis.

The new report was published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO), during the Global Clean Energy Action Forum in Pittsburgh, US.

The report identifies domestic market size as a major factor influencing employment generation in renewables, along with labor and other costs.

Solar energy was found to be the fastest-growing sector. In 2021 it provided 4.3 million jobs, more than a third of the current global workforce in renewable energy.

“Renewable energy jobs remain resilient and have been proven to be a reliable job creation engine. My advice to governments around the world is to pursue industrial policies that encourage the expansion of decent renewable jobs at home. Spurring a domestic value chain will not only create business opportunities and new jobs for people and local communities. It also bolsters supply chain reliability and contributes to more energy security overall.”

The national interest is growing in localizing supply chains and creating jobs at home, with rising concerns about climate change, COVID-19 recovery, and supply chain disruption.

The report describes how strong domestic markets are key to anchoring a drive toward clean energy industrialization. Developing renewable technology export capabilities is also dependent on this, as per the statement.

ILO Director-General Mr. Guy Ryder said that, “There is a growing focus on the quality of jobs and the conditions of work in renewable energies, to ensure decent and productive employment. The increasing share of female employment suggests that dedicated policies and training can significantly enhance the participation of women in renewable energy occupations, inclusion and ultimately, achieve a just transition for all.”

“I encourage governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations to remain firmly committed to a sustainable energy transition, which is indispensable for the future of work,” Mr. Ryder stated.

The report shows that an increasing number of countries are creating jobs in renewables. “Almost two-thirds of all these jobs are in Asia. China alone accounts for 42 percent of the global total, followed by the EU and Brazil with ten percent each, and the USA and India with seven percent each,” according to the statement.

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