As countries accelerate the transition to cleaner energy systems, attention is increasingly shifting to the employment opportunities created by the green economy. Renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency programmes and climate-related investments are expected to generate thousands of new jobs.

According to a research study, measuring these jobs accurately remains a major challenge. The researchers observe that although the concept of green employment is widely used in policy discussions, there is still limited agreement on the indicators and thresholds needed to determine whether a job can genuinely be classified as “green”.

“Green jobs are increasingly recognised as an important outcome of the transition to sustainable energy systems, but there is still limited clarity on how these jobs should be measured,” the researchers note.

The study, conducted by Dr. Francis Kangure, Prof. Izael Da Silva and Francis Wachira through Strathmore University’s Strathmore Energy Research Centre (SERC), examines how green jobs in the energy sector can be defined, measured and monitored more effectively.

The researchers observe that a lack of consistent metrics makes it difficult for governments and institutions to track the employment impacts of energy transition policies. Without clear indicators, policymakers may struggle to assess whether renewable energy investments are delivering the expected labour-market benefits.

The study proposes a framework for identifying and measuring green jobs within the energy sector, focusing on employment linked to renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency initiatives and other sustainability-driven activities.

“Developing clear indicators for green jobs is essential for understanding how energy transition policies influence employment and economic development,” the researchers observe.

They further explain that a well-defined measurement framework can help governments monitor labour market trends, design targeted training programmes and ensure that workforce development strategies align with emerging opportunities in the green economy.

They also note that the growth of green employment presents opportunities for countries such as Kenya to link climate action with economic development, particularly in sectors where renewable energy expansion is creating new demand for technical skills.

However, the study warns that policymakers must ensure that employment data systems can capture these changes in the labour market.

“Reliable data and consistent indicators are necessary to track the growth of green jobs and ensure that employment benefits from the energy transition are fully realised,” the researchers state.

The study further emphasises the importance of aligning national labour statistics with evolving definitions of green employment, enabling policymakers to accurately monitor trends in the energy sector and related industries.

By developing clearer metrics, the researchers argue, governments will be better positioned to assess how climate policies influence employment outcomes and to design policies that maximise both environmental and economic benefits.

“Improved measurement of green jobs will help policymakers understand the labour market impacts of energy transition and design strategies that support sustainable employment growth,” the researchers conclude.

The Strathmore University study contributes to emerging scholarship on green employment by proposing practical indicators and thresholds for assessing green jobs within the energy sector. By clarifying how green work can be defined and measured, the study provides policymakers, researchers and labour institutions with an analytical framework for aligning employment policies with climate and sustainability objectives.

Article written by Otuma Ongalo