Renewables jobs nearly doubled in past decade, soared to 13.7 million in 2022
Renewables jobs nearly doubled in past decade, soared to 13.7 ... ILO
sdgtalks
Renewable Energy Employment Reaches 13.7 Million Worldwide, According to ILO and IRENA Report
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have released their tenth edition of the Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2023. The report reveals that global employment in renewable energy reached 13.7 million in 2022, marking an increase of one million since 2021 and a significant rise from the total of 7.3 million in 2012.
Concentration of Jobs and Investment
The report highlights that while renewable energy is attracting more investment, the majority of jobs are concentrated in a few countries. China leads the way, accounting for 41% of the global total. Other countries such as Brazil, European Union (EU) member states, India, and the United States of America (USA) also play significant roles in job creation and capacity installations.
Employment by Renewable Energy Sources
The Annual Review found that solar photovoltaics (PV) remained the largest employer in 2022, creating 4.9 million jobs, which represents over a third of the total workforce in the renewable energy sector. Hydropower and biofuels maintained similar employment numbers as in 2021, with around 2.5 million jobs each, followed by wind power with 1.4 million jobs.
Importance of Policy and Investment
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, referring to the recent agreement by G20 leaders to triple global renewables capacity by 2030.
ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, stressed the importance of specific policies to achieve full and productive employment, social inclusion, and decent work during these transitions. He highlighted the need for inclusive macroeconomic growth, sustainable enterprises, skills development, active labor market interventions, social protection, occupational safety and health, and other workers’ rights.
Ensuring a Just and Inclusive Transition
The report emphasizes that the quality of jobs is as crucial as their quantity. A just and inclusive transition to a cleaner energy future requires coherent and integrated frameworks that focus on wages, occupational safety and health, and workers’ rights. The ILO’s Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all serve as a central reference for policy-making and actions to support a just transition.
The report also highlights the importance of workforce development, diversity, and gender equity in the renewable energy sector. It calls for expanding education and training opportunities, increasing career prospects for youth, minorities, and marginalized groups. Currently, solar technology has the best gender balance compared to other sectors, with 40% of jobs held by women.
Localizing Supply Chains and Global Cooperation
Many countries are showing interest in localizing supply chains and creating domestic jobs through appropriate industrial policies. China has successfully implemented various industrial policies in recent years. The EU, India, Japan, South Africa, and the USA have also announced initiatives to stimulate domestic manufacturing. However, countries must find ways to combine localization efforts with continued global cooperation to achieve an ambitious energy transition.
For further information, please contact newsroom@ilo.org.
About the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
IRENA is the lead intergovernmental agency for global energy transformation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. It serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a center of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource, and financial knowledge on renewables. With 169 Members (168 States and the European Union) and 15 additional countries in the accession process, IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewables in pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security, and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.
About the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
The International Labour Organization is the United Nations agency for the world of work. It brings together governments, employers, and workers to drive a human-centered approach to the future of work through employment creation, rights at work, social protection, and social dialogue.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
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 creation, investment, manufacturing, and the need for a just and inclusive energy transition. These issues are directly connected to the Sustainable Development Goals mentioned above.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified 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 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product.
- SDG 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
- SDG 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, such as increasing the share of renewable energy, achieving decent work, promoting sustainable 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?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. Some of these indicators include:
- Number of jobs created in the renewable energy sector
- Investment in renewable energy
- Share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- Gender balance in renewable energy jobs
- Capacity installations in renewable energy
- Manufacturing of renewable energy equipment
These indicators provide measurable data to assess progress towards the targets related to renewable energy, job creation, sustainable industrialization, and reducing inequalities.
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) | Share of renewable energy in the global energy mix |
| 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 jobs created in the renewable energy sector |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product (SDG 9.2) | Manufacturing of renewable energy equipment |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality (SDG 10.4) | Gender balance in renewable energy jobs |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning (SDG 13.2) | Investment in renewable energy |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships (SDG 17.17) | Capacity installations in renewable energy |
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: ilo.org
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
