Jobs in Transition: Clean Energy’s New Workforces and the Path for Fossil Fuel Communities
The global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is not just an engineering project; it is a labor market transformation unfolding in real time. As countries pursue climate targets, energy security, and lower-cost power, investments are changing what kinds of skills are in demand and where jobs are located. New employment is growing rapidly in solar, wind, grids, batteries, and efficiency, even as coal and, in some regions, oil and gas employment contract. This transition poses risks for workers tied to legacy assets, but it also creates opportunities for high-quality careers if retraining and regional development policies keep pace. Understanding both sides of this ledger—job creation and displacement—helps governments, firms, and communities craft strategies that are economically resilient and socially fair.
