Indeed, the work of IRENA and the ILO shows that the energy transition will create more jobs than lose them. An ILO Global Sustainability Scenario 2030 estimates that the 24 to 25 million new jobs will far exceed the losses of six to seven million jobs. Some five million workers who lose their jobs will be able to find new jobs in the same occupation, in another sector. IRENA's World Energy Transition Outlook predicts that the renewable energy sector could employ 43 million people by 2050.

The disruption of cross-border supplies caused by COVID-19 restrictions has highlighted the important role of domestic value chains. Their strengthening will facilitate local job creation and income generation, taking advantage of existing and new economic activities. IRENA's work on harnessing local supply chains provides insight into the types of jobs needed to support the transition by technology, value chain segment, educational and professional requirements.

This will require industrial policies to form viable supply chains, education and training strategies to create a skilled workforce, active labor market measures to provide adequate employment services, a recycling and recertification as well as social protection to help workers and communities dependent on fossil fuels, and public investment strategies to support regional economic development and diversification.