ILO: “A green recovery would add 20 million jobs by 2030”
At a meeting organized by the European Commission, the ILO underlined that climate action presents an enormous opportunity for our economies. The transition to a low-carbon economy brings net job gains but also involves deep structural changes in labour markets. Addressing the employment and social dimensions of climate action is therefore vital.
Vic Van Vuuren, Director Enterprises at ILO, addressed the third edition of the Just Transition Platform meeting, organized by the European Commission’s Directorates-General for Regional Policy and Energy. He participated in the session “Just Transition Going Global”.
The meeting was timely as the EU Member States are currently preparing their territorial just transition plans and their respective investments to be supported by the Just Transition Mechanism, which is part of the European Green Deal investment plan. The Mechanism provides financial and practical support to address the social and economic effects of the transition, focusing on the EU regions, industries and workers who will face the greatest challenges.
The ILO Director welcomed the strategic leadership role the EU plays on the just transition and its Just Transition Mechanism. He referred to the Mechanism as “a key tool for the EU to achieve its climate objectives while addressing the challenges it poses to territories that are strongly dependent on carbon intensive sectors”. This is essential because research shows that moving to a low-carbon economy brings net job gains but also involves deep structural changes in labour markets. Deliberate and targeted policy efforts are necessary to help secure employment opportunities and manage structural transformation in an inclusive and fair manner.
Today, Europe and the world are facing multiple crises. COVID-19 has reminded us how a sound management of the natural environment is also key to preserving health and wellbeing. Annually, between 2000 and 2015, we lost 23 million working-life years to environment-related disasters caused or exacerbated by humanity. “We have to act boldly to address these challenges,” said Mr Van Vuuren.
Climate action presents an enormous opportunity for our economies. According to the latest assessment of the ILO and the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a green recovery scenario with investments into renewable energies, building efficiency and green transport would create some 20.5 million additional jobs by 2030.
As a result of the Climate Action Summit of September 2019, 48 countries have formally committed to support a just transition to environmental sustainability. The Climate Action for Jobs Initiative provides a platform to assist and give effect to these commitments, and the ILO is spearheading its implementation. The initiative supports assessments to understand the impacts of climate measures on jobs and the local economy to inform planning. It helps to strengthen social protection systems and fosters mechanisms of social dialogue to forge strong consensus. The initiative also offers guidance on policies for skilling, reskilling and upskilling, for negatively impacted workers, but also to prepare young people to drive innovation and tap into future job opportunities. It also provides assistance on green job creation through the development of sustainable enterprises.
“Addressing the employment and social dimensions of climate action is vital both for enhancing the ambition and for ensuring no one is left behind in the path to carbon-neutral and resilient economies. These are defining challenges of our time,” the Director concluded.
The meeting was timely as the EU Member States are currently preparing their territorial just transition plans and their respective investments to be supported by the Just Transition Mechanism, which is part of the European Green Deal investment plan. The Mechanism provides financial and practical support to address the social and economic effects of the transition, focusing on the EU regions, industries and workers who will face the greatest challenges.
The ILO Director welcomed the strategic leadership role the EU plays on the just transition and its Just Transition Mechanism. He referred to the Mechanism as “a key tool for the EU to achieve its climate objectives while addressing the challenges it poses to territories that are strongly dependent on carbon intensive sectors”. This is essential because research shows that moving to a low-carbon economy brings net job gains but also involves deep structural changes in labour markets. Deliberate and targeted policy efforts are necessary to help secure employment opportunities and manage structural transformation in an inclusive and fair manner.
Today, Europe and the world are facing multiple crises. COVID-19 has reminded us how a sound management of the natural environment is also key to preserving health and wellbeing. Annually, between 2000 and 2015, we lost 23 million working-life years to environment-related disasters caused or exacerbated by humanity. “We have to act boldly to address these challenges,” said Mr Van Vuuren.
Climate action presents an enormous opportunity for our economies. According to the latest assessment of the ILO and the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a green recovery scenario with investments into renewable energies, building efficiency and green transport would create some 20.5 million additional jobs by 2030.
As a result of the Climate Action Summit of September 2019, 48 countries have formally committed to support a just transition to environmental sustainability. The Climate Action for Jobs Initiative provides a platform to assist and give effect to these commitments, and the ILO is spearheading its implementation. The initiative supports assessments to understand the impacts of climate measures on jobs and the local economy to inform planning. It helps to strengthen social protection systems and fosters mechanisms of social dialogue to forge strong consensus. The initiative also offers guidance on policies for skilling, reskilling and upskilling, for negatively impacted workers, but also to prepare young people to drive innovation and tap into future job opportunities. It also provides assistance on green job creation through the development of sustainable enterprises.
“Addressing the employment and social dimensions of climate action is vital both for enhancing the ambition and for ensuring no one is left behind in the path to carbon-neutral and resilient economies. These are defining challenges of our time,” the Director concluded.