✔ Current figures show there are at least 12.7 million renewable energy jobs
✔ The fossil fuel industry still employs around 32 million people
✔ The clean energy transition could generate around 13.3 million new jobs by 2030
Renewable energy is booming, offering plenty of career opportunities for people who want to make a difference.
As demand for clean energy increases and countries turn to sustainable power sources, professionals in this field have a huge role to play in pushing innovation and tackling climate change - and there's so much potential for what's to come.
In this article, we're exploring the job market for renewable energy. Let's take a look at the countries pushing the green revolution and how many jobs are up for grabs in the clean energy transition.
How many jobs are there in the renewable energy sector?
According to the latest data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), there are at least 12.7 million jobs in the global renewable energy sector, covering areas such as solar, wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, and bioenergy.
Solar energy, in particular, has seen a noticeable bump in employment, with a threefold increase in jobs in this sector alone from 2012 - but more on those specific figures later.
How has this number grown over the past 20 years?
As people focus more on fighting climate change and using clean energy, the renewable energy sector has seen a surge in job opportunities over the past two decades.
IRENA started its annual review in 2012, and renewable energy employment worldwide has almost doubled since then, from an estimated 7.3 million jobs.
How many jobs are there in the coal, gas and oil sectors?
It's noteworthy to mention that the combined coal, gas, and oil sectors, despite the global shift towards cleaner energy sources, still employ a substantial 32 million skilled workers.
A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights this figure, while also noting that some companies are retraining employees to move into low-carbon areas so they can keep their skilled workers and move them around as needed.
However, as this isn't always possible, policymakers are focusing on making sure there's a just transition for workers in regions that rely on fossil fuels.
How has this number changed over the past 20 years?
The coal, gas, and oil sectors have traditionally been major global employers. However, as the world moves towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, new opportunities in these sectors are gradually being phased out.
Naturally, this transition is resulting in fewer employment opportunities within the coal, gas, and oil industries. However, the move to renewable energy will end up generating new job opportunities in solar, wind, and hydropower.
Summary
It's an exciting time to join the renewable energy sector - especially in solar energy, which shows the most growth followed by hydropower and wind.
As the world continues to move towards a clean energy transition for environmental benefits, the renewable energy sector offers a fantastic opportunity for job creation and sustainable economic growth around the world.
How many people are in the energy industry?
Recent data shows that the oil, coal, and gas sectors employ around 32 million skilled workers.
However, the latest figures for jobs in the renewable energy sectors, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear, highlight that there are around 12.7 million people employed in these sectors.
How many people work in the energy sector worldwide?
According to the IEA, the energy industry employs 65 million people around the world and accounts for 2% of global employment.
With various sectors in fossil fuels and renewable energy, the industry offers diverse job opportunities - though the clean energy transition means some sectors are shrinking, while others are growing.
How many people work in renewable energy in the UK?
The renewable energy sector in the UK employs around 247,400 people, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Most of these jobs are in construction.
The current figure is a 16.4% increase from the previous year's count of 212,600 jobs.