The renewable energy industry continued to weather the COVID-19 impacts relatively well.

The sector employed at least 12.7 million people, directly and indirectly, in 2021.

Solar PV is the most dynamic technology, followed by biofuels, hydro and wind. Other technologies employ fewer people and are less dynamic.

The world scored a new record in 2021, producing 132.8 GW of solar PV capacity installations. Thus, solar photovoltaic remained a market leader in employment with 4.3 million jobs in 2021, up from about 4 million in 2020.

Asian countries host 79% of the world’s PV jobs, reflecting the region’s continued dominance of manufacturing and strong presence in installations.

Global employment in onshore and offshore wind grew to 1.4 million jobs in 2021, up from 1.25 million in 2020.

China alone accounted for 47% of the global total. Europe leads in exports of wind turbines.

Core segments of the renewable energy value chain extend from the manufacturing of equipment to construction and installation activities to O&M.

Segments that lie further upstream and downstream the value chain are now receiving greater scrutiny.

The mining and processing of commodities critical to renewable energy deserves greater scrutiny, concerning environmental and labour standards as well as impacts on local communities.

At the other end of the value chain, measures are needed to handle decommissioned equipment and materials with greater care and responsibility, and to ensure occupational health and safety.

Rising employment in renewables must go hand in hand with creation of decent livelihoods in terms of wages, occupational health and safety, job security, and rights at work.

A just energy transition must also reflect the needs of communities, offer social protection for those most affected by the energy transition, and ensure that the most vulnerable members of societies are not priced out of the energy market by measures intended to reflect the environmental costs of fossil fuels.

The number of renewable energy jobs would rise from today’s 12.7 million to 38.2 million in 2030 under an ambitious energy scenario with front-loaded investments. This is more than double the 17.4 million expected under current policies and plans.

Jobs in overall energy sector could rise to 139 million, including more then 74 million jobs in energy efficiency, electric vehicles, power systems and flexibility, and hydrogen.