Environmentalists are predicting gloom and doom for planet earth at US President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord. A more short-term impact could be on green jobs. According to UN Environment chief Erik Solheim, if the US slows down on transforming to a greener economy, the renewable energy jobs will all go to China. Right now, there are 400,000 solar jobs in the US and 70,000 in coal.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which publishes an annual review, in 2016 globally there were 9.8 million people in renewable energy jobs – a 1.1 per cent increase over 2015. China, Brazil, the US, India, Japan and Germany are top creators of these jobs. According to IRENA’s report, the shift of green jobs to Asia continued to gather momentum with 62 per cent of the global total now located in the continent. Trump’s decision could alter the percentage even more.

Green collar days in India

Even as there is a slowdown feared in jobs in the IT sector, India can take cheer from the fact that green jobs are growing at a fast clip. India ranks among the top five green jobs creators. Two years ago the Skill Council for Green Jobs was created, promoted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and CII. It aims to train thousands of professionals in solar photo voltaic, wind energy operations and solid waste and water management. Last week, the Rajasthan government signed an MoU with the Council to train youth in solar power, green businesses and water management.

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