2022-08-31-IRENA-Renewable_Energy_and_Jobs_-_Annual_Review_2022_82页_12mb

Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2022

This report, prepared by IRENA and ILO, summarizes the global renewable energy employment landscape as of 2021. The global renewable energy sector employed 12.7 million people directly and indirectly that year, an increase from 2020. Solar PV alone accounted for 4.3 million jobs, the fastest-growing sector.

Key Observations

• Regional Distribution: Asia is the largest job hub, with China accounting for 42% of global jobs. Europe and Brazil follow, each with 10%, and the U.S. and India contribute 7% each.
• Sector Breakdown:
  • Solar PV: Dominated employment, driven by manufacturing, installation, and O&M.
  • Wind: 1.4 million jobs, with China leading (48% of global jobs).
  • Hydropower: 2.4 million direct jobs (mostly manufacturing-focused).
  • Biofuels: 2.4 million jobs, heavily concentrated in feedstock operations, particularly in Latin America.
• Supply Chains: Highly concentrated in countries like China, with growing scrutiny on labor and environmental standards in upstream mining and manufacturing. The COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions have spotlighted supply chain vulnerabilities, prompting interest in localization.

Gender and Diversity

• Women represent one-third of renewable energy jobs, an improvement over the sector as a whole but still lagging global employment averages. Efforts to enhance workforce diversity, particularly for women and youth, are essential.

Just Transition and Future Outlook

IRENA projects 38.2 million jobs by 2030 under an ambitious energy transition scenario, part of a broader goal of creating a just transition that includes decent jobs, social protection, and inclusive policies. Key recommendations include:

1. Adopting a comprehensive policy framework that addresses deployment, industrial development, education/training, labor market policies, and structural changes.
2. Prioritizing circular economy approaches to manage renewable energy waste (e.g., recycling solar panels, wind turbine blades) and create new employment opportunities.

The report emphasizes the need for urgent action, equitable outcomes, and collaboration between governments, employers, and workers to accelerate the energy transition and harness its economic and employment potential.