The renewable energy sector employs eleven million people worldwide, with 39 per cent of jobs in China, 3.6 million workers in the solar photovoltaic sector and 32 per cent female employment. These are the figures from the Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2019, the latest report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). Eleven million — equal to the entire population of countries such as Greece, Belgium or Tunisia — is the highest figure ever recorded, despite a decline in installations over the past year, particularly in China.

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New countries are emerging on the employment front

Compared with the usual group of countries that stand out for the development of the renewables sector (China, the United States and Europe), new geographical areas active in the production and export of photovoltaic panels have been making their mark in recent years. These include countries in East and South-East Asia. In 2018, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam recorded solid growth in renewable energy jobs, keeping Asia in first place in the green jobs ranking, with a 60 per cent share of renewable energy jobs worldwide.

"Renewables meet all the key pillars of sustainable development: environmental, economic and social. As the global energy transformation accelerates, this employment dimension reinforces the social aspect of sustainable development and provides yet another reason why countries commit to renewable energy," said Francesco La Camera, Director-General of Irena.

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Global #renewableenergy jobs reached 11 million jobs in 2018.

Policies, globalisation & diversification of supply chains, changing trade patterns, & industry consolidation trends are shaping how & where jobs are created bit.ly/2XFScWF

♥ 11 28 giu 2019 · Apri su X →

Solar photovoltaic's leadership

Solar photovoltaic, accounting for roughly one third of total employment, nine-tenths of which (3.5 million) is concentrated in Asia, retains first place as the renewable energy source creating the most jobs, ahead of liquid biofuels, hydropower and wind energy.

Wind energy employs 1.2 million people, predominantly in onshore installations, although the offshore segment is year on year increasing its share and offering ever more employment opportunities. Globally, China accounts for 44 per cent of wind energy employment, followed by Germany and the United States.

Hydropower, which among renewables is the source with the greatest installed capacity, employs over 2 million people. A considerable number, yet one that remains broadly unchanged given the near-absent growth of the sector — so much so that three-quarters of hydropower workers are employed in the operation and maintenance of existing plants.

By contrast, growth in the biofuels sector is considerable (+6 per cent compared with 2017). Last year the sector surpassed 2 million workers, particularly in labour-intensive countries such as Brazil, Colombia and South-East Asia more broadly, while in Europe and the United States, where processing is predominantly mechanised, the number of workers remained almost unchanged.