The US clean energy economy workforce is old school. Compared with other sectors, including fossil fuels, the clean energy workforce is older, more male-dominated and lacks more racial diversity, says a report, Advancing Inclusion Through Clean Energy Jobs, by the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Programme in Washington DC. The authors argue the clean energy transition will bring high-paying jobs, especially to those with fewer academic credentials — and it is therefore a great opportunity to include women and minorities. 

To meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement, the EU should phase out coal by 2030. Analysis by Sandbag and Climate Action Network Europe shows Europe is not on track. After examining the draft National Energy and Climate Plans of 21 countries still using coal for electricity generation, the NGOs found only eight will end coal by this date, leaving 60 gigawatts of installed capacity, a reduction of only 58% compared to current levels. As the report says, member states need to make sure the transition is more than just talk. 

The just transition has become a trendy term, but financing the move away from coal and fossil fuels to a sustainable and clean economy based on renewables and efficiency is complicated. The EU office of the WWF has produced this briefing paper showing how EU-level funds can help pay for this transformation in the form of seed money for the development of comprehensive and locally developed, strategic long-term transition plans based on assessments of early economic needs.