How can a shift in clean energy initiatives spark job creation in Australia?

Summary

• Australia has been observing significant progress in renewable energy resources.
• The transition to renewables will create jobs in the local manufacturing industry and create new opportunities for an array of Australians.
• Australia’s Clean Energy Council projects that renewable jobs could rise to 44,000 by 2025.

Recently, IHS Markit listed Australia as “one of the countries that is most suitable for renewable energy investment”.

The 2019 bushfires were the wake-up call for the Australian government and investors towards climate change. Simultaneously, it has been vigilantly established that renewable energy is imperative to reduce toxic emissions and maintain sustainability.

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The Renewable 2020 Global Status Report highlighted that Australia has been observing significant progress in renewable energy resources. In 2020 itself, renewables were responsible for Australia’s 27% of total electricity generation.

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What do the experts say?

Due to the rise in the shift to renewables and the need for sustainable development, following Australian leaders have commented that the renewable industry is going to generate new employment opportunities for diverse occupations over the years.

In the International climate action summit, Prime Minister Scott Morrison emphasised that net-zero emissions would be achieved only by “animal spirits” of the market and “pioneering entrepreneurialism” of industrialists and farmers.

Adding to that, Labour Party Leader Anthony Albanese said that renewable industry has a “huge potential” to create thousands of secure and well-paid jobs.

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To do the needful, Shadow Minister Chris Bowen warned that a million Australians would lose their jobs if the detrimental effects on the environment are not treated.

As evident, the politicians feel that the transition to renewables will create jobs in the local manufacturing industry and create new opportunities for an array of Australians- be it scientists, engineers or miners of lithium, copper, and nickel. 

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Some developments in Australia’s renewable industry

Last year, a City of Sydney News report revealed that all operations in Sydney- right from streetlights to the historic Sydney Town Hall, now run on 100% renewable electricity from locally sourced clean energy.

The $60 million agreement between Australian retailer Flow Power and The City Of Sydney will kindle jobs and support communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, Australia’s renewable industry is rapidly expanding- be it hydrogen projects or solar energy initiatives, it is paving its way towards a sustainable future.

Here is an exciting projection in terms of jobs as Australia continues on its mission for a cleaner and greener future- according to the International Renewable Energy Agency Annual Review from 2020, Australia’s Clean Energy Council projects that renewable jobs could rise to 44,000 by 2025 if ambitious policies and adequate skill training are put in place.

Where is the job market heading in the renewable industry?

A Clean Energy At Work report from 2020 states 70% of renewable energy jobs will be created in rural and regional areas in 2035- a move that could boost the country’s interiors. The Clean Energy Council focuses on raising employment standards for workers and communities while accelerating the uptake of clean energy.

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The report further reveals that by 2035, as the industry grows in scale, as many as half of the jobs could be in operation and maintenance, especially in the wind sector.

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The renewable industry is dynamic and employs both general and special skills. However, if there happens to be a noticeable skill shortage in the labour market, a review in the training sector across the renewable industry could help deliver credible career pathways to Australians.

All in all, diversity in the renewable sector plays a crucial role in generating employment. From helping to build community connectedness to enriching sustainability, renewable energy can play a pivotal role in Australia’s human resource development.

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