Last year, the renewable energy sector achieved 12.7 million jobs, an increase of 700,000 new jobs in a single year, despite the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing energy crisis, according to a new report.
in the report Renewable energy and employment: 2022 annual review*, the size of the national market is identified as the main factor influencing job creation in the renewables sector, along with labor and other costs. Solar energy is seen to be the fastest growing sector, generating 4.3 million jobs in 2021, more than a third of the current workforce in renewable energy worldwide.
The report points out that, given the growing concern about climate change, the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, countries are increasingly interested in localizing supply chains and creating jobs. at the national level.
And he highlights that creating strong national markets is key to promoting industrialization with clean energy. And he adds that the development of renewable technology export capabilities also depends on it.
According to Francesco La Camera, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency** (IRENA)Despite existing challenges, the renewables sector has proven to be a reliable engine for job creation.
“My advice to governments around the world is that adopt industrial policies aimed at promoting the expansion of decent jobs in the renewable energy sector at the national level. Stimulating the national value chain will not only create business opportunities and new jobs for local people and communities, but also strengthen the reliability of the supply chain and contribute to greater energy security in general.”
Asia in the lead
The report reveals that more and more countries are creating jobs in renewables. Nearly two-thirds of all these jobs are in Asia. China alone represents 42% of the global total, followed by the European Union and Brazil with 10% each, and the United States and India with another 7% respectively.
The CEO of the International Labor Organization**, Guy Ryder, pointed out for his part that “regardless of the numbers, more and more focus is being placed on the quality of employment and working conditions in renewables, in order to guarantee that employment is decent and productive”.
In addition, it noted that the growing proportion of female employment indicates that with specific policies and training it is possible to significantly enhance the participation of women in professions in the renewable energy sector and ultimately achieve a just transition for all.
“I encourage governments, trade unions and employer organizations to maintain a strong commitment to the sustainable energy transition, which is essential for the future of work,” said Ryder.
The report reveals some notable facts on a regional and national scale. For example, that the countries of Southeast Asia have become important photovoltaic solar energy manufacturing centers and biofuel producers.
China is the leading manufacturer and installer of photovoltaic solar panels and is creating a growing number of jobs in offshore wind power, while India has added more than 10 gigawatts of such power, generating many installation jobs, although it remains depending heavily on imported panels.
Europe now accounts for 40% of global wind manufacturing output and is the largest exporter of wind equipment, while trying to reconstitute its solar PV manufacturing industry.
Africa’s role is still limitedbut the report notes that there are growing job opportunities in decentralized renewablesespecially in support of local commerce, agriculture and other economic activities.
In America, Mexico is the main supplier of blades for wind turbines. Brazil remains the main employer in biofuels, but also adds many jobs in wind and solar installations.
The United States, for its part, begins to build a national industrial base for the emerging offshore wind sector.
The report highlights that the expansion of renewable energy must be supported by comprehensive policies, including training of workers in order to guarantee decent, high-quality, well-paid and diverse employmentin order to achieve a just transition.
*The new report was launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum in Pittsburgh, USA.
**IRENA is the leading intergovernmental agency for global energy transformation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future and acts as the main platform for international cooperation, center of excellence and repository of knowledge on policies, technologies, resources and financing of renewables. With 168 members (167 states and the European Union) and an additional 16 acceding countries actively participating, IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy to achieve sustainable development, access to energy , energy security, and low-carbon growth and prosperity.
***Established in 1919, the ILO is the only tripartite agency of the United Nations. It brings together the governments and trade union and employer organizations of its 187 member states in order to establish labor standards, formulate policies and design programs to promote decent employment for all men and women..
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