“Green Jobs on the Rise: Global Employment in Renewable Energy Reaches 13.7 Million in 2022”
Worldwide employment in renewable energy has seen a significant increase, reaching 13.7 million in 2022, according to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This marks a one million increase from 2021 and a substantial growth from 7.3 million in 2012.
Moustapha Kamal Gueye, Coordinator of the Green Jobs Programme at the ILO, emphasized the direct impact of climate change on the global labor market. He highlighted the potential for creating 100 million jobs by 2030 through a green transition that considers social dimensions.
Green jobs play a crucial role in promoting decent work while transforming energy systems, improving transportation, and managing waste to contribute to environmental sustainability. These jobs can be found in traditional sectors like manufacturing and construction, as well as in emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The report also revealed that nearly 75 million people are currently employed in Nature-based Solutions (NBS), which focus on preserving or restoring the environment. This collaboration between ILO, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aims to assess employment in NBS and evaluate global employment in this sector.
Gueye commended the efforts of COP28 in addressing climate change and its impact on social development, employment, and the labor market. He emphasized the importance of integrating climate ambition with job creation and fair social development, especially for the 4 billion people worldwide lacking social protection systems.
Furthermore, Gueye stressed the need to provide skills training for transitioning from fossil fuel industries to renewable energy fields and new professions in the green economy. This shift not only addresses environmental challenges but also brings social and economic benefits through economic transformation.
As COP28 negotiations continue, the focus remains on just transition, employment issues, social protection, and addressing losses and damages related to climate change. Gueye urged participants to prioritize climate ambition alongside job creation and social development to build resilience against climate shocks and ensure a sustainable future for all.