A recent study has revealed a remarkable surge in jobs within the renewable energy sector, reaching a staggering 16.2 million, marking the highest annual growth rate on record.
The ‘Renewable Energy and Jobs—Annual Review 2024’, released by the International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Labour Organisation, highlighted that 2023 experienced an unprecedented increase in renewable energy jobs, climbing from 13.7 million in 2022 to 16.2 million.
This impressive 18 percent year-on-year increase is attributed to the robust expansion of renewable energy generation capacity and the ongoing growth in equipment manufacturing.
However, a closer examination of the report reveals a varied global landscape regarding job distribution. Notably, nearly two-thirds of the new solar and wind capacity installed last year was concentrated in China.
Leading the charge, China boasts approximately 7.4 million renewable energy jobs, accounting for 46 percent of the global total. Following China, the European Union reported 1.8 million jobs, while Brazil comes in third with 1.56 million jobs.
The United States and India each contribute close to one million jobs, showcasing the growing importance of renewable energy in these regions.
The solar photovoltaics sector remains the strongest driver of employment, supporting 7.2 million jobs worldwide. Of this total, 4.6 million jobs are located in China, the world’s preeminent manufacturer and installer of solar PV systems.
Significant investments from China have also facilitated the emergence of Southeast Asia as a vital export hub for solar PV, contributing to job creation across the region.
Liquid biofuels follow closely behind, with Brazil leading the sector by providing one-third of the 2.8 million jobs available globally, followed by Indonesia with a quarter of the jobs in this field.
In contrast, the hydropower sector has experienced a decline, with employment dropping from 2.5 million in 2022 to 2.3 million in 2023. Brazil, China, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam are the primary employers within this sector.
In the wind energy market, China and Europe dominate, with their contributions amounting to 52 percent and 21 percent of the global total, respectively, translating to 1.5 million jobs in the sector.
Despite its vast renewable resource potential, Africa continues to capture only a minimal share of global investments in renewables, resulting in just 324,000 renewable energy jobs in 2023.
The report emphasizes the urgent need for reliable energy in regions like Africa, particularly in remote areas, stating that decentralized renewable energy systems could play a crucial role in bridging the energy gap and creating job opportunities.
“Removing barriers for women to launch businesses in DRE can boost the sector, strengthen local economies, and promote energy equity,” the report stated, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in this growing field.
IRENA’s Director-General, Francesco La Camera, emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “If we are all to fulfil our collective pledge to triple renewable power capacity by 2030, the world must step up its game and support marginalized regions in addressing barriers impeding their transition progress.”
Additionally, ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo underscored the necessity of education and training for the workforce, asserting, “Investing in education, skills, and training helps reskill all workers from fossil fuel sectors, address gender and other disparities, and prepare the workforce for new clean energy roles.”
He further noted, “It is essential if we are to equip workers with the knowledge and skills that they need to get decent jobs and to ensure that the energy transition is a just and sustainable one. A sustainable transition is what the Paris Agreement requires of us and what we committed to achieving when we signed up to the agreement.”
As the world progresses toward a cleaner energy future, the insights from this report call for strategic investments and collaborative efforts to harness the full potential of renewable energy, particularly in underrepresented regions.
