According to a new report, worldwide employment in renewable energy reached 12.7 million last year, a jump of 700,000 new jobs in one year, despite the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the growing energy crisis.
The report, published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), identifies domestic market size as a major factor influencing employment generation in renewables. Increased emphasis on the localization of supply chains has spurred new job growth in the industry.
During the Global Clean Energy Action Forum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, they also found solar energy to be the fastest-growing sector. In 2021, it provided 4.3 million jobs, more than a third of the current global workforce in renewable energy.
With worldwide oil supply disruptions and spiking gas prices, there’s never been a better time to hitch your wagon to renewable energy.