Despite the negative effects of COVID-19 and the growing energy crisis, global employment in the renewable energy sector reached 12.7 million last year, a 700,000 increase in just 12 months, according to a new report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO).
IRENA’s Director-General, Francesco La Camera, said that in the face of numerous challenges, “renewable energy jobs remain resilient, and have been proven to be a reliable job creation engine. My advice to governments around the world is to pursue industrial policies that encourage the expansion of decent renewables jobs at home.
“Spurring a domestic value chain will not only create business opportunities and new jobs for people and local communities. It also bolsters supply chain reliability and contributes to more energy security overall.”