IRENA: Renewable energy generates half a million new jobs worldwide in 2019

Cecilia Keating
clock • 6 min read

As many as 11.5 million people now work in renewable energy worldwide, but IRENA warns strong policy action essential to sustain growth in the wake of Covid-19

Job opportunities in the renewable energy continue to surge worldwide, with 11.5 million people worldwide working in the sector in 2019, up almost 500,000 from the year before, according to the International...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Skills

Social housing is the missing piece in the UK's green jobs strategy

Social housing is the missing piece in the UK's green jobs strategy

Social housing residents are not only beneficiaries of greener homes - they are an essential part of the workforce that will deliver them, writes Lynsey Sweeney, managing director at Communities that Work

Lynsey Sweeney, Communities that Work
clock 21 August 2026 • 4 min read
Why Britain's green skills strategy needs an AI upgrade

Why Britain's green skills strategy needs an AI upgrade

Workforce 2030: Andy Burnham is right - AI won't build Britain's energy infrastructure, but it could help build a workforce that's better equipped to deliver it, writes Spirit Energy's Matt Browell-Hook

Matt Browell-Hook, Spirit Energy
clock 19 August 2026 • 4 min read
Poll highlights popularity of 'green' and purposeful careers for school leavers

Poll highlights popularity of 'green' and purposeful careers for school leavers

Workforce 2030: Survey of 16 to 18-year-olds finds more than half believe green jobs are of higher value than traditional roles, with the prospect of a purposeful career a major selling point

Michael Holder
clock 18 August 2026 • 3 min read