The move to renewable energy and a net zero global policy will produce jobs in general, but certain groups will be disproportionately impacted. In order to ensure an egalitarian transition and minimize employment losses, policies must be established throughout the globe.
The most important issue of the twenty-first century is the threat posed by climate change. To decrease greenhouse gas emissions and control global warming, a worldwide political commitment is required.
UN climate meeting COP26 in Glasgow last year produced outcomes that fell short of expectations. However, politicians throughout the globe are fully aware of the need to take stronger action against the current climate crisis and develop a real net zero approach. Even with the rising urgency of moving away from fossil fuels, there are numerous questions about what effect this transition will have on the economy. A major concern about this energy transition has been whether or not renewable energy would produce employment and how these jobs might be compensated by the losses in conventional energy.
Is the use of renewable energy going to lead to more jobs?
In 2021, climate action and the larger environmental agenda had a critical year. Global CO2 emissions are expected to fall to zero by 2050 according to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in June. Renewable energy and employment will outnumber fossil fuel jobs in the next decades, according to the most recent IRENA/ILO Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review. The report estimates that adopting the 1.5C-compatible route would lead to more jobs than job losses. The analysis estimates that by 2050, the energy revolution will have created 122 million new employments, with 43 million of those positions coming from renewable energy companies, which are predicted to develop at an exponential rate. Following biofuel, wind, and hydropower are solar photovoltaics (20 million employment).
There is a need for a broad workforce in the renewable energy sector because of the wide range of educational and training levels required. Most occupations produced by 2050 will need just an elementary or lower secondary education on a 1.5C-compatible route. A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree is required for 37% of the remaining occupations, while just 13% need only a high school diploma. The majority of new positions in the renewable energy industry will simply need a high school diploma or GED, lowering the barrier to entry for those who lack specialized expertise. This highlights the essential role that initiatives to re-skill and up-skill fossil fuel employees will play throughout the energy transition.
Despite the fact that the energy transition is not projected to result in any overall employment losses, the research points out that there may be various misalignments in the energy labor market. Job increases may be preceded by large-scale layoffs, for example. There may also be new jobs in places where employment losses occurred, although the skills necessary in traditional energy sectors may not be sufficient for new industries. Finally, it is probable that employment creation and destruction will have varying effects on the economy. A comprehensive policy framework capable of addressing all of the aforementioned issues is required in order to ensure a smooth transition with positive social effects. When it comes to the implementation of a new renewable energy system, governments need to ensure policy consistency across training, environmental, and energy regulations and prioritize institutional coordination.
Taking a Look Ahead
Many social and economic benefits will result from the implementation of the global net zero plan and the transition to a more sustainable energy paradigm, including more employment. In order to move the globe toward a more sustainable future, a worldwide effort, both economic and political, will be required. In essence, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that gains are fairly dispersed and that marginalized groups are better represented in the future energy industry.
