In 2019-2020, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) completed its Employment Assessment of
Renewable Energy Targets under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NEAR-NDC) Project. The project aimed to generate an evidence base for the link between Renewable Energy (RE) targets in NDCs and its required investments with employment generation to support and strengthen GGGI Member countries’ RE policy framework for NDC implementation and achievements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study informs policymakers about the RE sectors with the greatest potential to generate employment. It provides a simulation model to assess employment effects by a unit of investment in different electricity generaton sectors. As 140 NDCs mention RE technologies in their text, of which 105 include quantified RE targets, it is clear that NDCs are vital instruments for guiding the energy transition as a climate mitigation action, moving away from fossil fuel generation to RE technologies.