In 2020, the number of renewable energy employees worldwide reached 12 million

According to the renewable energy and employment report released by the international renewable energy agency IRENA and the international association ILO, the global renewable energy workforce reached 12 million in 2020, up from 11.
5 million in 2019.

The report confirms that Covid-19 has led to delays and supply chain disruptions, with the impact on jobs varying
by country and end-use, as well as across the value chain.

While solar and wind jobs continue to lead job growth in the global renewable energy sector, accounting for 4 million and 1.
25 million jobs, respectively, there are fewer
jobs in liquid biofuels due to declining demand for transportation fuels.

In 2020, China accounted for 39% of global renewable energy jobs, followed by Brazil, India, the United States and EU member states
.
Many other countries are also creating jobs
in renewable energy.

Among them, Vietnam and Malaysia are the main solar PV exporters; Indonesia and Colombia, which have large biofuel agricultural supply chains; Mexico and the Russian Federation, where wind power is growing
.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of solar workers in different countries such as Nigeria, Togo and South Africa is expanding
.

Francesco La Camera, Director General of Irena, said: "The
ability of renewable energy to create jobs and meet climate targets is unquestionable.
COP26 is before us, and governments must increase their ambitions to achieve net zero
.
”

Recognizing that women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, as they tend to work in sectors more vulnerable to economic shocks, the report highlights the importance of just transitions and decent work for all, ensuring that work pays a living wage, workplace safety and rights are respected
at work.

A just transition requires a diverse workforce – equal opportunities for men and women, and career paths open
to youth, minorities and marginalized groups.
International labour standards and collective bargaining arrangements are crucial
in this regard.

ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said: "The potential of renewable energy to generate decent work clearly shows that we do not have to choose
between environmental sustainability on the one hand and job creation on the other.
You can have both
.
”

In fact, Irena and ILO's work found that the energy transition created more jobs than lost
.
The ILO's Global Sustainable Development Scenario to 2030 estimates that the 24-25 million new jobs will far exceed the 6-7 million jobs lost
.

About 5 million unemployed workers will be able to find new jobs
in the same occupation in another industry, the report added.
Irena's World Energy Transition Outlook predicts that 43 million
jobs will be employed in the renewable energy sector by 2050.

Cross-border supply disruptions caused by Covid-19 restrictions highlight the important role
of domestic value chains.
It added that strengthening them would promote local job creation and income
generation by utilizing existing and new economic activities.