Good and decent jobs, skills, and entrepreneurship for a just energy transition

A well-managed clean energy transition can become a strong driver of job creation, job upgrading, social justice and poverty eradication. Greening enterprises and jobs by introducing more energy- and resource-efficient practices leads to innovation, enhances resilience and generates savings. Promoting green entrepreneurship drives new investment and employment. In Asia a major policy shift is needed towards investing in greening jobs, skills and enterprises so that the transition is fair, and ensures access to clean energy and decent work at the same time, and leaves no one behind.

At least half of the global workforce, the equivalent of 1.5 billion people, will be affected by the transition to a greener economy. Eight key sectors are expected to play a central role: agriculture, forestry, fishing, energy, resource-intensive manufacturing, recycling, building and transport (ILO, 2012). The 'energy' sector has an enormous potential to be transformative for all other industries and to influence policies and strategies for the 4th industrial revolution in countries at all stages of development.

As concluded by the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2016 policy dialogue on skills for clean energy transition, skills development is a determinant of the success of the clean energy transition; the transition cannot happen without adequate skills development for the new 'clean energy workforce'.

The workshop, co-organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Platform for Advancing Green Human Capital (PAGHC), will discuss how governments, enterprises, workers, financial institutions and development partners can power a just energy transition. Participants will interact with panelists and presenters to propose solutions to challenging questions such as:

1. Are jobs in clean energy better, more decent jobs?
2. What skills sets are needed for the energy transition in Asia?
3. What are the best practices for a just energy transition?
4. What does the 4th industrial revolution imply for decent jobs and entrepreneurs in the energy transition?
5. What are the implications for trade and participation in global value chains?
6. How can financial facilities for clean energy influence responsive investment for a just transition?

The Asia Clean Energy Forum is a regional knowledge-sharing platform for learning and exchange of experiences on key issues and latest developments in clean energy in Asia. Each year, clean energy stakeholders from Asia and around the world convene at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters to network, discuss issues, exchange knowledge and conduct business. Last year, there were 1,500 participants from 60 countries. The 12th Asia Clean Energy Forum will be jointly organized by the Asian Development Bank, US Agency for International Development, and the Korea Energy Agency.