Renewable energy jobs hit 12.7mln globally

Renewable energy jobs hit 12.7mln globally

Renewables continued to be an employment engine in 2021

Pittsburgh, USA/Abu Dhabi, UAE/Geneva, Switzerland - Worldwide renewable energy employment reached 12.7 million last year, a jump of 700,000 new jobs in one year despite the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the growing energy crisis, according to a new report.

Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2022 identifies market dynamics as major factors influencing employment generation in renewables, along with labour and other costs. Solar energy was found to be the fastest-growing sector. In 2021 it provided 4.3 million jobs, more than a third of the current global renewable workforce.

The new report was published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) during the Global Clean Energy Action Forum in Pittsburgh, USA.

With rising concerns over climate change, post-COVID-19 recovery and supply chain disruption, national interest is growing in localising supply chains and creating jobs at home. The report describes how strong domestic markets are key to anchoring a drive towards clean energy industrialisation. Developing renewable technology export capabilities is also dependent on this, it adds.

Francesco La Camera, IRENA’s Director-General, said: “In the face of numerous challenges, renewable energy jobs remain resilient, and have been proven to