Skills for Green Jobs: A Global View

The shift to a green economy is increasing the pace of change in labour markets and skill needs. This study of 21 countries, which represent 60 per cent of the world population, shows that economies moving towards greener production can seize the potential for job creation if they deal effectively with the coming structural change and transformation of existing jobs.
The report examines the experiences of developed and developing countries in adjusting their training provision to meet new demand of a greener economy. It shows that while few new occupations emerge in the transition to greener work, massive change occurs in existing occupations. What is more, changes in skill profiles happen at all levels of qualifications and across all sectors, and require action to make the provision of education and training relevant to labour market needs.
While the net employment effects of greening the economy are estimated to be positive, carbon-intensive industries are expected to lose jobs. Successful transitions from old to new, greener industries and occupations will require efficient retraining and skills upgrading. A key element of the transformation must be to target training initiatives to segments of the population typically at a disadvantage in the labour market.
Skills development is critical to unlocking the employment potential of green growth, yet skills policies and environmental policies are still often dealt with in isolation from one another. To avoid future skill shortages, the report recommends that countries devise strategies based on well-informed policy decisions, social dialogue, and coordination among ministries and between employers and training providers.