There is growing acknowledgement among governments, trade unions and employers' organizations that the “business as usual” approach based on the strategy "grow first, clean up later" is not sustainable, neither economically, nor socially and environmentally. The increasing awareness and willingness to act is reflected in the conclusions of the discussion at the 96th Session of the International Labour Conference and the Director-General's Report on "Decent work for sustainable development".
The ILO's 'Green Jobs Initiative', was launched in November 2007 in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Organization of Employers and the International Trade Union Confederation. The initiative supports a concerted effort by governments, employers, and trade unions to generate meaningful employment and opportunities for decent work that help the regeneration of natural resources and address the challenges posed by climate change.
The Initiative focused on the need to facilitate a "just transition" that reflects the environmental, economic and social pillars of sustainable development and supports the key role tripartite partners can play in promoting environmentally-sound employment opportunities and work practices, and in ensuring an equitable transition to economies and businesses with a lower environmental impact.