Climate change has adverse impacts, but it also offers a window of opportunity for creating green jobs
In India 3.4 million jobs can be generated in the short and long term in the solar and wind sectors by creation of new installations to reach the non- fossil electricity-generation target, says just released India Employment Report 2024 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Institute for Human Development (IHD).
Discussing the gender gap in employment, ILO says that 116.5 million males are in the labour force as opposed to 37.9 million women. Renewable energy, especially solar PV, provides an opportunity to create jobs for women to lessen the gender gap. It will lead not only to green employment generation, but also gender parity.
Women constitute 40 per cent of the workforce in full time role in the solar PV industry, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency report, “Solar PV: A Gender Perspective” (2022). This percentage is about twice when compared to wind industry (21%) and the oil and gas sector. When compared with the overall renewable share, the solar PV fares well with a 32 per cent share across it. It adds that the solar PV subsector is slated to be the biggest employer in an energy transition route. It has the potential to create about 14 million jobs by the year 2030—or 37% of all jobs in the renewable energy sector.
Aakanksha Sharma, Head, HR, Amplus Solar, says, “Renewable energy firms are actively striving to cultivate inclusive work environments that prioritise diversity and gender equality. These efforts encompass implementing merit-based yet gender-aware hiring practices, establishing equitable pay structures, and fostering a leadership culture that is mindful of gender dynamics. Women are increasingly assuming roles beyond traditional business functions, excelling in technical and strategic positions in the RE.”
The renewable energy in India aims to deal with four Sustainable Development Goals in India – gender equality; access to affordable clean; inclusive and sustainable economic growth; and mitigating climate change.
Manisha Nair, head of human resources at BluPine Energy says, " Renewable energy firms are actively prioritising diversity and gender equality to create inclusive workplaces within the renewable energy landscape."