Renewable Energy Transition on Employment Dynamics in BRICS Nations

As the world transitions towards a low-carbon economy, understanding the employment implications of renewable energy growth is crucial, particularly in emerging economies like the BRICS nations, where energy demand and employment pressures are rapidly evolving. The justification for this study lies in the critical need to understand the employment effects of renewable energy growth in emerging economies, particularly in the BRICS nations, which account for a significant share of global energy demand and are poised to drive the next wave of renewable energy adoption. As these countries navigate the challenges of energy transition, employment creation, and sustainable development, this research aims to provide timely and actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers seeking to optimize the employment benefits of renewable energy growth in these regions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of disaggregated renewable energy (solar, hydro, wind, nuclear, and other renewables including bioenergy) on employment dynamics in BRICS nations, so as to provide empirical evidence on the employment effects of renewable energy growth in these regions. The key findings from the study are summarized as follows: Hydro contributes positively to employment creation in BRICS nations, with FMOLS (0.78%), DOLS (2.06%), and PCSE (0.61%) results showing significant positive effects. Solar contributes positively to employment creation in BRICS nations, with FMOLS (1.99%) and DOLS (9.60%) results showing significant positive effects, although country-specific results are mixed. Economic growth contributes positively to employment creation in BRICS nations, with FMOLS (32.93%), DOLS (36.86%), and PCSE (27.68%) results showing significant positive effects. Wind contributes negatively to employment creation in BRICS nations at the aggregate level (FMOLS, −0.66%), but has positive effects in some countries (Brazil, China, Russia, and South Africa). Nuclear contributes negatively to employment creation in BRICS nations at the aggregate level (FMOLS, −0.47%; PCSE, −1.04%), but has positive effects in some countries (Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Other Renewables contribute negatively to employment creation in BRICS nations, with FMOLS (−2.57%) and PCSE (−4.77%) results showing significant negative effects. Policymakers in BRICS nations should prioritize investments in hydropower, solar power, and wind power to leverage their job creation potential and promote sustainable economic growth. Additionally, governments should implement policies to support the development of other renewable energy sources, such as bioenergy, geothermal, and tidal power, to increase their job creation potential. Furthermore, policymakers should promote economic growth through green investments and sustainable development initiatives to maximize employment creation in the renewable energy sector.