Green Jobs and Just Transition in the Arab States

Areas of work

• Research and knowledge development

  Climate change, pollution, desertification, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss all represent new risks to the labour market, for example by directly impacting both the quantity and quality of jobs. Meanwhile, environmental policies can have a both positive and negative impact on the labour market and private sector. The ILO is therefore continuously developing new research and data to better understand the nature and scale of associated risks and opportunities in order to advance social justice and promote decent work in the context of ecological transitions.

• Policy development and advocacy support

  The ILO Just transition guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all provide a comprehensive policy framework and basis for action -- and the ILO is able to support across the board. While the decent work angle is being increasingly integrated into climate and environment policies, the World of Work constituents are rarely included in the development of these policies and initiatives. The ILO is working to support social dialogue, policy coherence and integrated responses to decent work and environmental challenges.

• Creating more, better and greener jobs

  The ILO has helped create thousands of green jobs in the region. Skills development, employment intensive projects, green enterprise development, improved OSH practices and expanded social protection schemes are helping to green the labour market, raise productivity and resilience, and improve the quality of jobs and livelihoods for people across the region.