Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has published a study showing that investments in sustainable energy can create almost a hundred thousand jobs. Where the share of investments in green energy increases, employment increases. A trend that CBS has been observing for several years.
By: Jesse Markus
In 2018, 14.8 billion euros were invested in energy-related activities. This includes improving energy networks and energy conservation. This is a significant increase compared to previous years. In addition, there has been a decrease in the number of investments in conventional, fossil sectors (such as gas extraction and coal-fired power stations) from 5.7 billion euros in 2014 to 3.1 billion euros in 2018.
Of these 14.8 billion euros in energy investments, 4 billion euros were invested in renewable energy in 2018, with the share of solar energy in particular increasing strongly. Investments in wind energy have also increased, but vary greatly from year to year due to the design of large wind projects that are implemented one year and not the next.
The contribution of renewable energy to the gross domestic product (GDP) is also increasing and this is becoming increasingly important for the Dutch economy. Between 2013 and 2019, this grew from 0.4 percent to 0.7 percent of GDP, while the conventional energy contribution is decreasing. A trend that is further reinforced by, among other things, the decreasing gas extraction in Groningen.
The most remarkable data from the CBS research is that renewable energy and energy saving lead to significantly more employment. In 2018, total employment from this type of investment increased to almost one hundred thousand full-time jobs.
The entire CBS study is on the website to read.
The need for green investments
The good news is that investments in sustainable energy create jobs, but there was also bad news this week. For example, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) reported that the Dutch climate target for 2030 – a 49 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – will not be achieved with the current plans. With the cabinet plans, approximately 34 percent will be achieved. Minister Eric Wiebes of EZK is currently working on additional proposals for CO2 reduction.
The government is also still investing too little in the energy transition. For example, the Economist reported this week that only four percent of the total number of R&D investments consists of green investments. This has to do with the private sector that does not dare to invest enough, but also the government that does too little.
In short, there is still much to be gained in terms of investments in the energy transition. Especially because the CBS research shows that if investments are made, this also directly creates demonstrable jobs.
In the Technology Manifesto, FHI advocates a climate-proof European budget and a green digital future through the Green Deal. For more concrete recommendations to politics and society, read our manifest.
Nederlands