14.7 million jobs globally with renewables, up to 4.3 million with solar
Joint report by IRENA and ILO
Employment by renewable energy and its breakdown
(Source: IRENA, ILO)
According to the report "Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Report 2022" jointly released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) on September 22, 2022 In 2021, global renewable energy employment will reach 12.7 million, with 700,000 new jobs created in one year.
The report clarified that the size of the domestic market, along with labor costs and other costs, is a major factor affecting job creation in renewable energy. Solar energy will become the fastest growing sector, creating 4.3 million jobs in 2021, more than a third of all renewable energy jobs globally.
In addition, amid growing concerns about climate change, post-COVID-19 reconstruction, and supply chain disruptions, countries are increasingly interested in localizing supply chains and creating jobs domestically. It points out that a strong domestic market is important to promote the industrialization of renewable energy.
By region, about two-thirds of renewable energy employment is concentrated in Asia, and China alone accounts for 42% of the world total. The EU and Brazil followed with 10% each, followed by the US and India with 7% each.
Southeast Asian countries are major manufacturing bases for photovoltaic power generation and biomass fuel production bases. China is a leader in solar panel manufacturing and installation, and is hiring more jobs in the wind power sector. India has installed more than 10GW of solar power but still relies heavily on imported panels.
Europe accounts for about 40% of the world's wind power production, making it the most important exporter of wind power generation equipment. It is also working to rebuild its photovoltaic production. Although still limited in Africa, decentralized renewable energy employment opportunities are growing, especially in supporting economic activities such as local commerce and agriculture.
In North America and Latin America, Mexico is a major supplier of wind turbine blades in the Western Hemisphere. Brazil continues to employ biomass fuels as a major source of employment, but is also adding many jobs in wind and solar installations. The United States is beginning to build a domestic industrial base for offshore wind power.
