(ABU DHABI)
The number of people working in the renewable energy industry globally has risen from seven to nearly 10 million since 2012, according to a new report.
More than a third of the jobs are in China, where 3.64 million are employed in the industry, as the country continues to cement its position as a renewable energy powerhouse.
The figures were released today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in its Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2017.
IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin hailed “falling costs and enabling policies” for driving up “investment and employment in renewable energy worldwide”.
He added: “Renewables are directly supporting broader socio-economic objectives, with employment creation increasingly recognised as a central component of the global energy transition. As the scales continue to tip in favour of renewables, we expect that the number of people working in the renewables sector could reach 24 million by 2030, more than offsetting fossil-fuel job losses and becoming a major economic driver around the world.”
The report was launched at IRENA’s 13th Council Meeting in Abu Dhabi.
