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Modeling the Labor Implications of the Energy Transition

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  • Hafstead, Marc

    (Resources for the Future)

  • Williams III, Roberton C.

    (Resources for the Future)

Abstract

The energy transition away from fossil fuels toward alternative energy sources will, like every significant economic transition, disrupt existing economic relationships and markets. Disruption in the labor market is of particular concern due to the distributional and political importance of energy jobs and the potential concentration of risks on workers in carbon-intensive sectors and regions that are particularly reliant on fossil-fuel industries. We look at modeling the labor implications of the energy transition. We outline a conceptual framework for analyzing the labor-market risks, focusing on obstacles to labor-market adjustments during the transition. We then review empirical research on such barriers to labor-market adjustments, with a focus on evidence that can inform modeling efforts. We also survey the literature on ex-ante modeling of the effects of the energy transition on labor markets, identifying both the challenges and opportunities for new research in this field. Keywords: Energy Transition, Labor Markets, Jobs

Suggested Citation

  • Hafstead, Marc & Williams III, Roberton C., 2026. "Modeling the Labor Implications of the Energy Transition," RFF Working Paper Series 26-01, Resources for the Future.
    • Handle: RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-26-01
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    File URL: https://www.rff.org/documents/5140/WP_26-01.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C68 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computable General Equilibrium Models
    • D58 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Computable and Other Applied General Equilibrium Models
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General

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