Policy Issue and Introduction
Renewable energy refers to energy generated from naturally replenished sources like sunlight, wind, water, plants, and geothermal heat. It includes established technologies such as hydropower, bioenergy, and geothermal energy as well as emerging sources like solar photovoltaics (PV), wind turbines, and ocean energy (IRENA, 2019). Renewables offer energy security as they utilize domestic resources, unlike importing fossil fuels. Solar, wind, hydro, and other renewables also produce negligible greenhouse gas emissions during operations, helping address climate change (IPCC, 2022). The Philippines has abundant renewable energy resources such as solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass that can meet and even exceed domestic demand if fully tapped (Gulagi et al., 2021).
As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, investing in renewables will help the country mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. Within the green economy, renewable energy stands out as a key sector requiring massive workforce skilling and reskilling globally (IRENA, 2019). At the same time, the growth of the renewable energy sector presents opportunities for decent and green job creation. The IEA (2021) projects renewable energy to account for over 90% of global power generation by 2050, with solar and wind constituting nearly 70%. This exponential growth will require corresponding labor. IRENA (2019) estimates the renewable energy sector to employ 43 million people by 2050. The Philippines provides a microcosm of this global trend. However, significant skills gaps exist. The recent Skills Audit Survey by the Green Jobs Human Resource Council revealed occupational shortages, lack of green credentials, and mismatches between industry needs and training programs (TESDA, 2022).
Sector-specific human resource development plans can facilitate targeted worker transitions to new livelihoods—allowing this sectoral approach allows differentiated strategies that promote holistic development and decent work as an integral part of the just energy transition.