Renewable energy sector jobs grew to 13.7 million last year, report says
Renewable energy sector jobs grew to 13.7 million last year, report ... The National
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Global Employment in Renewable Energy Sector Rises by 8% in 2022, Says Report
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According to a new report, global employment in the renewable energy sector increased by nearly 8% in 2022 due to higher investment and growing capacity. The report, published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), reveals that the number of workers employed in the industry rose to 13.7 million, up from 12.7 million in the previous year.
Concentration of Jobs
The majority of renewable energy jobs were concentrated in a few countries, with China accounting for 41% of the global total. Other countries with significant employment in the sector include Brazil, the European Union, India, and the United States.
Sustainable Development Goals
The report highlights the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in achieving a fair and inclusive clean energy transition. It emphasizes the need for integrated frameworks that focus on wages, safety, workers’ rights, and social dialogue. Additionally, the report calls for the expansion of education and training to increase career opportunities for youths, minorities, and marginalized groups.
Renewable Energy Job Statistics
- Solar PV (photovoltaics) was the largest employer in the renewable energy sector, with 4.9 million jobs.
- Hydropower and biofuels each had around 2.5 million jobs.
- Wind power accounted for 1.4 million jobs.
Challenges and Recommendations
Irena’s director general, Francesco La Camera, described the increase in renewable energy jobs as “another outstanding year” but emphasized the need for a faster pace of investments in energy transition technologies. Gilbert Houngbo, ILO director general, highlighted the importance of specific policies for inclusive macroeconomic growth, sustainable enterprises, skills development, social protection, occupational safety and health, and other rights at work.
Global Cooperation and Localisation Efforts
The report acknowledges the increased interest of many countries in localizing supply chains and creating jobs domestically. However, it emphasizes the importance of combining localisation efforts with continued global cooperation to achieve an ambitious energy transition.
Meeting Paris Agreement Goals
To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, Irena states that renewable power capacity must add an average of 1,000 gigawatts per year by 2030. While global renewable capacity in the power sector grew by a record 300 gigawatts in 2022, there is still a significant gap between actual progress and the development required to achieve long-term climate goals.
Countries have the potential to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but the International Energy Agency emphasizes the need for bolder action this decade to triple renewable energy capacity.
Updated: September 28, 2023, 2:21 PM
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:
- SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes
- SDG 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:
- Number of workers employed in the renewable energy sector
- Percentage of global employment in the renewable energy sector
- Number of jobs in specific renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar PV, hydropower, biofuels, wind power)
- Concentration of renewable energy jobs in specific countries (e.g., China, Brazil, EU, India, US)
- Investments in energy transition technologies
- Expansion of education and training for renewable energy jobs
- Increase in career opportunities for youths, minorities, and marginalised groups in the renewable energy sector
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2) | – Number of workers employed in the renewable energy sector – Percentage of global employment in the renewable energy sector – Number of jobs in specific renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar PV, hydropower, biofuels, wind power) – Concentration of renewable energy jobs in specific countries (e.g., China, Brazil, EU, India, US) |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value (SDG 8.5) | – Number of workers employed in the renewable energy sector – Investments in energy transition technologies – Expansion of education and training for renewable energy jobs – Increase in career opportunities for youths, minorities, and marginalised groups in the renewable energy sector |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes (SDG 9.4) | – Investments in energy transition technologies |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality (SDG 10.4) | – Number of workers employed in the renewable energy sector – Expansion of education and training for renewable energy jobs – Increase in career opportunities for youths, minorities, and marginalised groups in the renewable energy sector |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: thenationalnews.com
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