Renewables jobs nearly doubled in past decade finds IRENA
Renewables jobs nearly doubled in past decade finds IRENA Power Engineering International
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Renewable Energy Jobs Reach 13.7 Million Worldwide, IRENA and ILO Report Finds
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Introduction
According to the tenth edition of the Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), worldwide employment in renewable energy reached 13.7 million in 2022. This marks an increase of one million since 2021 and a significant rise from the total of 7.3 million in 2012.
Renewable Energy Job Growth
The report highlights that renewable energy is attracting increasing investment, leading to job creation in a growing number of countries. However, the majority of these jobs are concentrated in a few states, with China accounting for 41% of the global total. Other countries such as Brazil, European Union (EU) countries, India, and the USA also play significant roles in job creation and capacity installations.
Key Sectors and Sustainable Development Goals
The Annual Review reveals that solar photovoltaics (PV) remains the largest employer in the renewable energy sector, with 4.9 million jobs in 2022. Hydropower and biofuels each had around 2.5 million jobs, while wind power accounted for 1.4 million jobs. These sectors contribute to various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
Statements from IRENA and ILO
Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, emphasized the need for faster investments in energy transition technologies to create millions more jobs. He called on policymakers to adopt ambitious policies that drive systemic change. Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General, stressed the importance of specific policies for inclusive macroeconomic growth, sustainable enterprises, skills development, and social protection to achieve full employment and social justice.
Inclusive Energy Transition
The report emphasizes the importance of a just and inclusive energy transition that considers the quality of jobs alongside their quantity. Coherent and integrated frameworks are necessary, focusing on wages, occupational safety and health, and rights at work. The study also highlights the need for workforce development, diversity, and gender equity in the renewable energy sector.
Localizing Supply Chains and Global Cooperation
Many countries are increasingly interested in localizing supply chains and creating jobs domestically. China has successfully implemented industrial policies to achieve these goals. Other countries such as the EU, India, Japan, South Africa, and the USA have also announced initiatives to stimulate domestic manufacturing. However, it is crucial to balance local efforts with continued global cooperation to achieve an ambitious energy transition.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are 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
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses renewable energy job growth, the need for inclusive workforce development, and the importance of global cooperation for an ambitious energy transition. These issues align with the Sustainable Development Goals mentioned above.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Target 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.
- Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product.
- Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
These targets are relevant to the issues discussed in the article, including increasing renewable energy share, promoting decent work, achieving inclusive industrialization, reducing inequalities, integrating climate change measures, and fostering partnerships.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
- Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees.
- Indicator 9.2.1: Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and employment.
- Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.
- Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets, such as tracking the renewable energy share, gender wage gaps, manufacturing value added, labour share of GDP, climate change adaptation policies, and financial commitments to partnerships.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 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. | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product. | Indicator 9.2.1: Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and employment. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality. | Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships. |
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: powerengineeringint.com
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