This Special Edition of the report on Labour and Policy Perspectives, in collaboration with the ILO, presents the status of employment in 2020 and discusses the policy framework required for a just transition.

IRENA's annual jobs review confirms long-term growth trend; strong policy action essential to ensure continued employment expansion in the COVID-19 era.

Energy transition investments in the wake of COVID-19 can pave the way for equitable, inclusive and resilient economies.

Based on a survey across the industry, this study tracks women’s employment, gender policies and perceptions of gender bias throughout the wind energy value chain.

The sixth edition of the series highlights employment trends in renewables worldwide, noting increasing diversification of the supply chain.      

This report examines the question of gender equity throughout sector. Building on a ground-breaking survey, it finds that much remains to be done to boost women’s participation and allow talents to be fully utilised.  

Renewable energy jobs grew 5.3% in 2017, with the total surpassing 10 million worldwide. IRENA's annual review presents the status of employment by technology and in selected countries.

This report presents the status of renewable energy employment, both by technology and in selected countries, over the past year. In this fourth edition, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) finds that renewable energy employed 9.8 million people around the world in 2016 – a 1.1% increase over 2015.

Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review presents the status of renewable energy employment, both by technology and in selected countries, over the past year. In this third edition, IRENA estimates that renewable energy employed 8.1 million people around the world in 2015 (excluding large hydropower). This is a 5% increase from the number reported the previous year. In addition, IRENA conducted a second global estimate of large hydropower employment, showing approximately 1.3 million direct jobs in the sector.

Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review presents the status of renewable energy employment, both by technology and in selected countries, over the past year. In this second edition, IRENA estimates that renewable energy employed 7.7 million people, directly or indirectly, around the world in 2014 (excluding large hydropower).

In 2013, approximately 6.5 million people were employed in the renewable energy industry worldwide, according to this update on employment in the sector from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2014 underlines the important role that renewables play in employment creation and growth in the global economy.

Over 5.7 million people are employed directly or indirectly in renewable energy – a figure that could triple by 2030 with the scale-up needed to ensure global energy sustainability. As policy makers look beyond energy security and environmental aspects, the comprehensive Renewable Energy and Jobs report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) examines wider socio-economic benefits, and specifically job creation.

These local case studies were prepared by IRENA in cooperation with the organisations described. They intend to explore the employment dimension of renewable energy development and deployment in rural areas in the developing world. 

This report is among the first to delve into the topic of job creation in the context of rural access to energy. It presents twelve first-hand case studies which cover a range of activities, including support for the sale, installation and maintenance of small solar systems, small-scale production of improved cooking stoves, investment and training in small hydropower plants,advice to business start-ups and marketing and networking for producers.

With governments seeking win-win solutions to the dual challenge of high unemployment and climate change, policy makers in many countries are designing renewable energy policies that aim to create new jobs, build industries and benefit particular geo-graphic areas.