state of the world's cities 2012/2013 - United Nations Sustainable ...

Environmental Sustainability and the Prosperity of CitiesRenewable EnergiesThe renewable energy sector – solar, wind, hydroelectric,geothermal and bio-fuel – continues to attract hugeinvestments. In 2010, a total of USD 243 billion had beencommitted to this sector worldwide 28 ; this is projected torise to USD 630 billion by 2030, in the process creatingas many as 20 million jobs. 29 Although much of this hasconcentrated on developed countries, investments inrenewable energies are beginning to materialise in thedeveloping world. 30Around the world, about 300,000 workers are employedin the wind power sector alone, and another 100,000in solar photovoltaic, while some 1.2 million jobs havealready been created in the biomass sector in Brazil, China,Germany and the USA. 31 In the UK for example, 250,000people are already employed in the various renewableenergy sectors estimated tobe worth USD 53 billionannually. 32While developed countrieshave the lion’s share ofjobs in the sustainablesector around the world,huge opportunities existfor developing countries.India is looking to createno fewer than 100 millionjobs in this sector within10 years, most of whichare expected to be in thesolar energy sector. 33 SouthAfrica reckons that 98,000new ‘low carbon’ jobs arepossible in the short term,and close to 717,000 in themedium to long-term 34 , tobe split into recycling, solarenergy and retrofitting ofold buildings for energyefficiency.policyEnvironmental sustainability offers hugeemployment potential in terms of: substitutionof renewable alternatives for non-renewable resources,recycling and reusing materials 26 , production and installationof renewable energy systems, sustainable urban transport,waste recycling, retrofitting old buildings, new sustainablebuildings and infrastructures, and environmental services. 27Waste and RecyclingIn Bangladesh, 800,000 of the 3.5 million potentialjobs associated with environmental sustainability are inrecycling. 36 Besides new jobs, waste management andrecycling have also spawned technical innovations, leadingto the creation of many specialised small- and medium-sizedbusinesses in cities of developing countries. 37policy Investmentin renewableenergies could generatemore employmentand income for urbanhouseholds.India: the wind turbine area of southern Tamil Nadu runs for mile after mile across the plains southof the Southern Ghats mountains, producing electricity for part of the massive demand for powerthroughout India.© 2012 Peter Herbert/fotoLIBRA.com83