How ending energy poverty can create 500 million new jobs in Africa and Asia

New research by The Rockefeller Foundation, reviewed by the IKEA Foundation, has found that investing in distributed renewable energy could create 30 times more jobs in Africa and Asia than fossil fuel alternatives. At the same time, it could end energy poverty and save 4 billion tons in greenhouse gas emissions.

Distributed renewable energy (DRE) is renewable energy that comes from local sources, such as mini-grids, rather than central sources like power plants.

According to the report, an annual investment of US$130 billion in DRE systems could create 25 million direct jobs in the power sector in Africa and Asia by 2030. Investing in fossil fuels over the same period would create less than half a million direct jobs, most of which would be temporary.  

The research shows that investing in DRE could also create nearly 500 million new jobs in agriculture, healthcare, education and enterprise. This backs up our belief that it could trigger a green energy transition in countries where millions of people still lack energy access.

Powering development

Per Heggenes, CEO of the IKEA Foundation, says: “Over the past decade, distributed and renewable energy technologies have been rapidly replacing fossil fuels as the most cost-effective building blocks for powering economic development.

“DREs have become a faster, nimbler and more cost-effective solution for driving inclusive growth and reaching under-served populations.  As the report highlights, they also have the potential to be at the heart of a global energy transition.”

Transformative change

Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, says: “Technological advances have given humanity the tools for transformative change, so for the first time in history, we can address the climate crisis while empowering people with the jobs and electricity they need to care for their families, pursue opportunities, and thrive.”

Earlier this year, we announced a joint initiative with The Rockefeller Foundation which lays the groundwork for a global energy alliance to combat the climate crisis and energy poverty. This billion-dollar collaboration marks the largest philanthropic initiative to scale renewable energy for an equitable energy transition and global economic development.

Read the report: Transforming A Billion Lives: The job creation potential from a green power transition in the energy poor world

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“Every time I go home I see many families losing crops and harvests due to drought caused by the climate crisis. It really dampens my heart.”

Dr. Catherine Mwema, the Director of Research and Learning at @thebomaproject, has seen first-hand how this crisis detrimentally impacts communities and livelihoods.

Northern Kenya has been facing unprecedented drought in recent years.

How can we support vulnerable communities during this fast-accelerating crisis? 💭

Alongside BOMA, we’re transforming food systems and promoting #GreenEntrepreneurship in these remote areas. This project will give women, young people, and refugees the support they need to increase their income while protecting their natural environment 🌍

Follow the link in our bio to learn more about BOMA’s support in the region 🔗

#FoodSytemsTransformation #ClimateSolutions #ClimateChange
“Every time I go home I see many families losing crops and harvests due to drought caused by the climate crisis. It really dampens my heart.”

Dr. Catherine Mwema, the Director of Research and Learning at @thebomaproject, has seen first-hand how this crisis detrimentally impacts communities and livelihoods.

Northern Kenya has been facing unprecedented drought in recent years.

How can we support vulnerable communities during this fast-accelerating crisis? 💭

Alongside BOMA, we’re transforming food systems and promoting #GreenEntrepreneurship in these remote areas. This project will give women, young people, and refugees the support they need to increase their income while protecting their natural environment 🌍

Follow the link in our bio to learn more about BOMA’s support in the region 🔗

#FoodSytemsTransformation #ClimateSolutions #ClimateChange
“Every time I go home I see many families losing crops and harvests due to drought caused by the climate crisis. It really dampens my heart.”

Dr. Catherine Mwema, the Director of Research and Learning at @thebomaproject, has seen first-hand how this crisis detrimentally impacts communities and livelihoods.

Northern Kenya has been facing unprecedented drought in recent years.

How can we support vulnerable communities during this fast-accelerating crisis? 💭

Alongside BOMA, we’re transforming food systems and promoting #GreenEntrepreneurship in these remote areas. This project will give women, young people, and refugees the support they need to increase their income while protecting their natural environment 🌍

Follow the link in our bio to learn more about BOMA’s support in the region 🔗

#FoodSytemsTransformation #ClimateSolutions #ClimateChange
“Every time I go home I see many families losing crops and harvests due to drought caused by the climate crisis. It really dampens my heart.”

Dr. Catherine Mwema, the Director of Research and Learning at @thebomaproject, has seen first-hand how this crisis detrimentally impacts communities and livelihoods.

Northern Kenya has been facing unprecedented drought in recent years.

How can we support vulnerable communities during this fast-accelerating crisis? 💭

Alongside BOMA, we’re transforming food systems and promoting #GreenEntrepreneurship in these remote areas. This project will give women, young people, and refugees the support they need to increase their income while protecting their natural environment 🌍

Follow the link in our bio to learn more about BOMA’s support in the region 🔗

#FoodSytemsTransformation #ClimateSolutions #ClimateChange
“Every time I go home I see many families losing crops and harvests due to drought caused by the climate crisis. It really dampens my heart.” Dr. Catherine Mwema, the Director of Research and Learning at @thebomaproject, has seen first-hand how this crisis detrimentally impacts communities and livelihoods. Northern Kenya has been facing unprecedented drought in recent years. How can we support vulnerable communities during this fast-accelerating crisis? 💭 Alongside BOMA, we’re transforming food systems and promoting #GreenEntrepreneurship in these remote areas. This project will give women, young people, and refugees the support they need to increase their income while protecting their natural environment 🌍 Follow the link in our bio to learn more about BOMA’s support in the region 🔗 #FoodSytemsTransformation #ClimateSolutions #ClimateChange
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The Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most vulnerable countries to #ClimateChange, has been facing extreme flooding since January. This crisis has destroyed houses, schools and infrastructure.

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Read more via the link in our bio 🔗

#Flooding #PeopleAndPlanet
The Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most vulnerable countries to #ClimateChange, has been facing extreme flooding since January. This crisis has destroyed houses, schools and infrastructure.

@start.network’s initiatives, the Start Fund & Start Ready, provide essential emergency funding for such disasters as they happen and in advance to help vulnerable communities as quickly as possible. 🙌

We’re proud to support Start Network to respond to and build resilience to climate and weather-related disasters. 🌍

Read more via the link in our bio 🔗

#Flooding #PeopleAndPlanet
The Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most vulnerable countries to #ClimateChange, has been facing extreme flooding since January. This crisis has destroyed houses, schools and infrastructure.

@start.network’s initiatives, the Start Fund & Start Ready, provide essential emergency funding for such disasters as they happen and in advance to help vulnerable communities as quickly as possible. 🙌

We’re proud to support Start Network to respond to and build resilience to climate and weather-related disasters. 🌍

Read more via the link in our bio 🔗

#Flooding #PeopleAndPlanet
The Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most vulnerable countries to #ClimateChange, has been facing extreme flooding since January. This crisis has destroyed houses, schools and infrastructure. @start.network’s initiatives, the Start Fund & Start Ready, provide essential emergency funding for such disasters as they happen and in advance to help vulnerable communities as quickly as possible. 🙌 We’re proud to support Start Network to respond to and build resilience to climate and weather-related disasters. 🌍 Read more via the link in our bio 🔗 #Flooding #PeopleAndPlanet
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