The report outlines a series of key recommendations to strengthen future job creation in the renewable energy sector, including a mix of policies tailored to specific country conditions and priorities; forward-looking education and training policies; and dedicated off-grid renewable energy policies to create jobs and stimulate growth in rural economies. The report features new data on employment within the sector, as well as recommendations for policy makers. In 2012, employment in renewable energy worldwide stood at 5.7 million with the potential for adding 11 million jobs in the years to 2030.

Bringing together information from a wide variety of sources in the most comprehensive way to date, the report shows that the majority of jobs are currently concentrated in China, the European Union, Brazil, the United States and India. Employment trends of the different renewable energy technologies vary. Today, the report finds, biofuels and solar PV provide the most jobs. By 2030, employment for all renewable energy technologies combined is projected to rise to approximately 16.7 million. Renewable energy employment reflects regional shifts in renewable energy manufacturing, industry realignments, growing export competition, and changes in policy directions, the report finds.

The report is structured around six chapters spanning the various dimensions of renewable energy employment. They include:

Chapter 1: Renewable Energy Employment Figures and Trends

Chapter 2: Measuring Employment from Renewable Energy

Chapter 3: Policy Instruments in Support of Job Creation in the Renewable Energy Sector

Chapter 4: Renewable Energy Skills, Occupations, Education and Training

Chapter 5: Job Creation in the Context of Energy Access

Chapter 6: Gender Dimensions of Renewable Energy Employment