IEA Report: Middle East Tops Post-Pandemic Oil and Gas Job Recovery.
- Category: News
An International Energy Agency report reveals a significant surge in employment within the clean energy sector, with a notable 20.27 percent increase since 2019, reaching a total of 36.2 million jobs. This growth contrasts with the fossil fuel industry, which has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) analysis for 2023 indicates that the workforce in the renewable energy field exceeds non-renewable employment by 5.2 million, aligning with the global shift towards sustainability.
While the IEA acknowledges this positive trend, it expresses concerns about the slow recruitment pace in the clean energy sector, despite fossil fuel workers possessing the requisite skills for available roles. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts by governments, industry, and educational institutions to address the expertise gap in the energy sector.
Expansion of the Sector:
Globally, the total energy sector workforce has expanded to 68.3 million, an increase of 3.4 million from pre-pandemic levels. Clean energy investments have risen by 40 percent in the past two years, prompting leading energy companies to seek additional personnel in the renewable energy sector.
However, the International Energy Agency report issues a cautionary note, citing global economic challenges and geopolitical uncertainties that continue to affect the energy industry. Tight labor markets and high interest rates in certain regions contribute to cautious hiring in parts of the energy sector.
The International Energy Agency report highlights five key sectors—solar photovoltaic, wind, heat pumps, electric vehicles and battery manufacturing, and critical minerals mining—that collectively employ over 9 million people worldwide. Solar PV dominates with around 4 million jobs, while the manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries has been a significant source of growth, adding over 1 million jobs since 2019.
International Energy Agency Report Medium-Term Gas 2023
China is the Green Leader:
China leads the clean energy workforce globally, employing nearly 30 percent of the renewable energy workforce. The country has witnessed a substantial increase, with 60 percent of its energy workforce now engaged in clean sectors, compared to just over 50 percent in 2019. China’s clean energy manufacturing sectors, particularly in solar PV and EV battery manufacturing, employ approximately 3 million workers, constituting 80 percent of these jobs worldwide.
Despite the overall positive trajectory, the report acknowledges disparities in employment trends, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to address challenges in the evolving energy landscape.
According to the latest International Energy Agency report , global energy sector jobs surged in 2022, driven by increased investment in clean energy technologies. The World Energy Employment report, now in its second edition, details employment trends across regions, fuels, technologies, and value chains. The data, which reflects clean energy transitions, serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, industry, labor, and educators.
