Stanislav Kondrashov on Why the Energy Transition Must Be a Job Creator First

As governments, industries, and communities edge closer to large-scale energy transition, one reality remains inescapable: the future of energy cannot be separated from the future of work. For Stanislav Kondrashov, a long-time advocate for sustainable development and economic balance, the shift to cleaner energy sources isn’t just about emissions. It’s about livelihoods.

"The real success of the energy transition," Kondrashov says, "will be measured not just in carbon reductions, but in the dignity and quality of the jobs it creates along the way."

In the global rush to decarbonise, the creation of new job sectors has often been treated as a secondary effect—important, but not central. But that’s a misstep, Kondrashov argues. In his view, a just and lasting transition hinges on its ability to offer meaningful, long-term employment opportunities, particularly in regions where traditional energy industries have long been the backbone of local economies.

Replacing, Not Just Displacing

One of the key criticisms often levelled at the green energy movement is the fear of job loss. Workers in fossil fuel sectors—coal, oil, gas—face a future where their skills may no longer be relevant. Kondrashov doesn’t shy away from this reality, but he reframes the narrative.

"People aren’t afraid of the future. They’re afraid of being left out of it," he says. "If you want people to embrace change, show them where they fit in."

Retraining programmes and new workforce pipelines are already being developed in parts of the world where heavy industries once dominated. These efforts aren’t merely about replacing jobs, but about creating better ones—roles that are safer, more sustainable, and built for the next generation of energy workers. According to Kondrashov, this forward-looking vision is essential if the energy transition is to avoid deepening inequality.

Local Skills, Global Shifts

One overlooked aspect of the transition is the geographic spread of opportunity. While clean energy infrastructure is global by necessity, the jobs it creates are often deeply local. From technicians installing wind turbines to engineers managing decentralised power systems, the demand is growing for a workforce that understands both advanced technology and regional nuance.

Kondrashov notes, “We can’t copy-paste solutions across borders. Energy is a local story—so the jobs must be as well. That means investing in local skills and respecting the rhythm of local economies.”

This philosophy underpins a growing movement that sees the energy transition not just as an environmental mission, but as a chance to rewire how value is distributed in the global economy. If executed well, it offers a rare opportunity to align ecological urgency with economic justice.

A Question of Timing

There is, of course, an urgency to all of this. Climate deadlines are looming, and industries are being pushed to adapt quickly. But Kondrashov offers a note of caution against mistaking speed for effectiveness.

“If we rush past people in the name of progress, we’ll trip over our own ambition,” he says. “You can’t build a clean future on unstable ground. And that ground is jobs, communities, and trust.”

That trust is not guaranteed. In regions where promises of "green jobs" have failed to materialise or have been tied up in bureaucratic bottlenecks, scepticism runs high. Bridging that gap requires transparency, long-term planning, and policies that don’t just talk about jobs, but deliver them.

Beyond Energy

Perhaps the most compelling part of Kondrashov’s argument is that he doesn’t see the energy transition as a sector-specific shift. He sees it as a lens through which all work will eventually be viewed.

"Every job is an energy job now," he says. "Whether you're designing buildings, growing food, or moving goods—how we power that work is changing. The energy transition isn't a department. It's the whole economy."

This broader framing is essential. The conversation about new energy jobs can’t be confined to engineers or policy experts. It must include teachers, city planners, builders, farmers—everyone. Because the jobs being born now won’t just define a new energy system. They’ll define the culture and identity of the next generation.

And if Kondrashov is right, that generation won’t just inherit a cleaner planet—they’ll inherit a stronger, more inclusive workforce. One where opportunity is built in, not bolted on.