Just Transition
ILO report calls for urgent action to reach climate goals
Only a proactive engagement of governments and the social partners can lead to a more sustainable development.
The brief Just Transition Towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All shows that the current national contributions to reduce carbon emissions will not meet the targets set by the Paris agreement signed in 2015.
The brief calls for an active engagement of the actors in the world of work to promote a more sustainable development. “Employers and workers are not passive bystanders, but agents of change able to find and shape new pathways to sustainability”, said Maria Helena ANDRE, Director of ACTRAV.
The brief illustrates practices for a just transition at different levels (state, regional, sectoral and company) and makes suggestions for action by workers’ organizations to reach the ambitious climate goals adopted in Paris.
“Trade unions should be more proactive and set up just transition strategies for the future. They need to be involved at all levels, build coalitions, manage labour market transitions and develop innovative approaches to shape the future of work and society”, ANDRE said.
The policy brief also calls for the implementation of the ILO Guidelines for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All to ensure that the transition to a green economy takes into account social challenges and impacts on jobs.
According to the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2018, changes in energy production and use to achieve the 2°C goal can create around 18 million jobs throughout the world economy. While 24 million jobs would be created, 6 million would be lost, calling for accompanying policies to protect workers and ensure a just transition and decent work.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Lene Olsen
Senior Programme and Operations Specialist and ACTRAV focal point on green jobs and just transition
Email: olsen@ilo.org