The renewable energy industry employed 11 million people around the world last year, according to analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
IRENA said in its ‘Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review’ that 10.3 million people were employed in the sector in 2017.
The increase in jobs came despite slower sector growth in key markets, such as China, the report added.
IRENA said the diversification of the renewable energy supply chain is changing the sector’s geographic footprint.
It said until recently renewable energy industries have remained relatively concentrated in a handful of major markets, such as China, the EU and the US.
However, east and south-east Asian countries have emerged alongside China as major exporters of solar photovoltaic panels.
Countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, were responsible for a greater share of growth in renewables jobs last year, with Asia as a whole maintaining a 60% share of clean power jobs worldwide.
The solar industry accounts for about one-third of renewables workers, followed by biofuels and hydro.
Asia hosts over 3 million solar jobs, accounting for nearly nine-tenths of the global total, the report said.
Wind power supports 1.2 million jobs, mainly in the onshore sector, but with the offshore segment gaining traction, IRENA said.
China alone accounts for 44% of global wind employment, followed by Germany and the US.
IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera said: “Beyond climate goals, governments are prioritising renewables as a driver of low-carbon economic growth in recognition of the numerous employment opportunities created by the transition to renewables.
“Renewables deliver on all main pillars of sustainable development – environmental, economic and social.
“As the global energy transformation gains momentum, this employment dimension reinforces the social aspect of sustainable development and provides yet another reason for countries to commit to renewables.”