4.2.1Active indicatorEmployment in Renewable Energy and Fossil Fuel Industries
4.1The economic impact of climate change and its mitigation
4.2The transition to net zero carbon, health-supporting economies
4.3Financial transitions for a healthy future
Indicator 4.2.1 · Economics
Employment in Renewable Energy and Fossil Fuel Industries
Employment in some fossil fuel extraction industries, particularly coal mining, is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, cancer, and other health harms for workers and surrounding communities. Transitioning towards renewable energy can reduce these health risks while supporting employment, with investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency estimated to create substantially more jobs per unit of spending than investments in fossil fuels. This indicator tracks employment in renewable energy and fossil fuel extraction industries.
Headline finding
In 2024, direct and indirect employment in renewable energy increased by 2.3% to a record 16.6 million jobs worldwide, while direct employment in fossil fuel extraction fell by 3.5% to 8.35 million.
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Figure 1
Employment in the Energy Sector
Direct and indirect employment in the zero-carbon energy sector and direct employment in the fossil fuel extraction sector, including coal mining and oil and gas exploration, from 2012 to 2024.
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Figure 2
Regional Employment in Renewable Energy Sector
Regional employment in renewable energy sectors, from 2022 to 2024.
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About this indicator
Description
This indicator draws on International Renewable Energy Agency and IBISWorld to track the number of jobs in renewable and fossil fuel extraction sectors, respectively.
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Caveats
1. Fossil fuel extraction values include direct employment, whereas renewable energy jobs include direct and indirect employment (e.g., equipment manufacturing), except for hydropower. 2. Historic IBISWorld data can change noticeably from year to year if a new analyst changes the methodology.
Data sources
- Renewable Energy and Jobs, Annual Review 2025, 2025. International Renewable Energy Agency.
- Global Coal Mining, 2026. IBISWorld.
- Global Oil & Gas Exploration & Production, 2025. IBISWorld.