Source: en.wikipedia.org
As major countries in the world struggle to recover and diligently follow physical distancing guidelines to reduce or eliminate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, more studies are being disseminated suggesting that we can all rebuild and create a stronger, abundant, healthy, resilient, and decarbonized world when this global crisis subsides.
Job opportunities are among the most important considerations when thinking about low-carbon economic progress. The worldwide adaptation of renewable technologies makes way for these opportunities around the supply chain. In 2018, this department provided jobs for 11 million people worldwide, as reported by the International Renewable Energy Agency. The agency further stated that pushing for renewable energy transformation is a good chance to achieve climate goals as well as enhancing economic growth, improving people’s lives, and providing thousands of jobs.
Renewable Energy Transformation
An expert from the United Nations Environment Program said that they have prepared post-COVID-19 stimulus packages that are created to initiate green recovery and green jobs. Also, a study entitled “Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2019” revealed that changing the energy system could improve worldwide Gross Domestic Product gains by about $98 trillion within this year until 2050.
Asian countries are now exporters of solar panels while bigger markets like Europe, the United States, and China are hosts to large concentrations of renewable energy jobs. Currently, employment is mostly seen in a few countries, including China, the United States, India, Brazil, and the European Union members.
Source: piqsels.com
Solar Photovoltaic – The Biggest Job Provider
In 2018, Solar PV was the top employment provider in renewable energy technologies. This accounts for one-third of the department’s workflow. This increasing output encouraged the opening of biofuel jobs by 6%. Southeast Asia, Brazil, and Colombia are into labor-intensive supply chains while the European Union and the United States are into mechanized operations.
Wind power has provided 1.2 million jobs, with onshore projects predominating. The offshore sector, on the other hand, is slowly gaining some pull and could be strengthened on infrastructure in the gas and offshore oil sector. Hydropower has the biggest installed capacity of all types of renewables and is expanding steadily. It has provided over 2 million jobs, 75% of whom are in maintenance and operations.
Factors That Determine Employment Increase In Renewables
There are a few factors that influence where and how jobs are created within the renewable energy supply sector. Government policies are among these factors. Others include industry revamping, trade patterns, and current trends.
Expanding The Talent Pool
The worldwide shift to renewables and focus on prioritizing sustainability has resulted in the demand for more skills in the areas of business, legal, economic, and technical, among others. This is why expanding the talent pool is important to encourage women to participate in renewable energy. Reports reveal that due to the sector’s multidisciplinary scope, renewable energy interests women, unlike their disinterest in fossil fuel. Women currently make up 32% of the renewable energy manpower, which is significantly higher than the 22% reported in the gas and oil industry.
Quality A Crucial Factor
Though quantity in job opportunities is important, it is also vital to note that quality is as crucial. A well-paid job requires a person to possess experience and skills to perform his job efficiently and safely. Offering high-paying jobs to employees who are qualified helps improve the economy compared to a low-paying job with few benefits and performed by employees with little to no experience.
Source: wpr.org
Finally, surpassing the problem of the gender gap in the field of electricity may help achieve sustainable development goals. Access and availability of affordable and clean renewable energy also reduce roadblocks to women’s opportunities for employment.
Renewable energy does help provide a chance to create green jobs and promote the shift to carbon-neutral economies. It also helps protect countries and citizens from global threats, including pandemics like this one.