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A new report published by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) shows that the renewable energy sector will employ 12.7 million professionals in 2021.
According to the survey, this figure represents an increase of 700,000 new jobs in one year. Solar energy was identified as the fastest growing sector. Last year, it generated 4.3 million jobs, more than a third of the current global renewable energy workforce.
Energy transition
The study points out that concerns such as climate change and job recovery have led a growing number of countries to create jobs in the renewable energy sector. Almost two thirds of these jobs are in Asia.
China alone accounts for 42 per cent of the global total, followed by the European Union and Brazil with 10 per cent each, and the United States and India with 7 per cent each.
The report highlights certain notable regional and national developments, such as in Southeast Asian countries, which are becoming important manufacturing centres for photovoltaic solar energy, which uses solar radiation, and biofuel producers.
China is the pre-eminent manufacturer and installer of solar panels and is creating a growing number of jobs in the offshore wind sector. India has added more than 10 Gigawatts of photovoltaic solar energy, generating jobs related to its installation, but remains dependent on imported panels.
Growing employment opportunities
Europe now accounts for approximately 40 per cent of industrial wind production worldwide and is the most important exporter of equipment in the sector, while trying to rebuild its solar manufacturing industry.
Africa's role is still limited, but the report highlights that there are growing employment opportunities in the decentralised renewable energy sector, especially to support trade, agriculture and other local economic activities.
On the American continent, Mexico is the main supplier of blades for wind turbines. Brazil, meanwhile, remains the main employer in the biofuels sector, but is also creating many jobs in wind and solar installations.
In the United States, a domestic industrial base for the booming offshore wind energy sector is beginning to be built.
Sustainable jobs
ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said that there is a growing focus on the quality of jobs and labour conditions in the renewable energy sector to ensure "decent and productive" employment.
He believes that a growing number of vacancies filled by women indicates that with training it is possible to significantly improve the participation of women in positions in the renewable energy sector.
Ryder encouraged governments, workers and organisations to remain firmly connected to a sustainable energy transition, which is indispensable for the future of work.
The report emphasises that the expansion of renewable energies must be supported through comprehensive policy packages, including training for professionals, to ensure that jobs are decent, of high quality, well paid and diverse, in pursuit of a just transition.
*Com reportagem da OIT
source: Artigo Nações Unidas