A Greener future will not be decent by definition, but by Design- ILO Director General
Climate change occurs as a result of human activity which for the most part, is work or work-related. The working poor, the self-employed and those in informal, seasonal and casual work who often lack adequate social protection and have limited alternarive income opportunities, are highly dependant on climate sensitive resources such as water and food supplies.
6 June 2017
Speaking on World Environment Day through a press release, the International Labour Organisation Director General, Mr Guy Ryder stated that greener economies could be engines of growth, both in advanced and developing economies even on the verge of curbing many types of jobs to a more sustainable economy. He said nations could generate decent green jobs that contribute significantly to climate mitigation and adaptation, but also to poverty eradication and social inclusion.
“This trend is already underway. The International Renewable Energy Agency says that in 2015 employment in renewable energy reached 8.1 million, a 5 per cent increase over the previous year. Sectors like forestry, energy, recycling, transport and agriculture are likely to gain a lot from the transition to a green economy” he stated.
Mr Ryder stressed on the importance of creating good quality jobs while keeping in mind the need for sustainable development to be pursued in full regard to its social and economic dimensions and not only in its environmental consequences or the transition to a green economy would be a nonentity.
He however stated that when transitioning to a green economy, predictable and appropriate regulations need to be put in place, hence, the role of governments to work closely with employers and workers’ organizations. The Director added that government and the different organizations of the multilateral system working together coherently for common objectives were necessary not only to achieve a just transition but most importantly to achieve all 17 inter-related goals of the UN 2030 Development Agenda.
“In fact, this will be one of the main issues under discussion at the International Labour Conference, which begins on June 5th 2017” disclosed Mr Ryder.
The Director General further stated that skills development and social protection were additional components for a just transition, as they demonstrate a proven record in facilitating socially acceptable and beneficial change at work.
Mr Ryder disclosed that many studies confirmed by several organisations, including the ILO’s Global Linkages model, predicted a drop in productivity levels of 2.4 per cent by 2030 and 7.2 per cent by 2050 under the business as the usual situation while ignoring climate change, may eventually damage economic growth.
However, he was delighted to make mention the positive news of knowing where nations want to go and how to get there. He said the Paris Agreement (in which the international community agreed to keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2° Celsius over pre-industrial levels) and the 2030 Development Agenda defined the intended destination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies had been accepted as a key reference point for the route to be taken.
Hence, he said according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, a shift to more sustainable practices in agriculture, which includes a high proportion of the global workforce and where decent work deficits are widespread and severe has the potential to create over 200 million more full-time jobs by 2050
“But knowing the destination and the road to follow is not enough. We need the political will to keep us going. A greener future will not be decent by default, but by design. So let’s not just mark World Environment Day. Let’s make it a reason to put our political will into action. The future of our jobs, and of our children, relies on it.” He added.
“This trend is already underway. The International Renewable Energy Agency says that in 2015 employment in renewable energy reached 8.1 million, a 5 per cent increase over the previous year. Sectors like forestry, energy, recycling, transport and agriculture are likely to gain a lot from the transition to a green economy” he stated.
Mr Ryder stressed on the importance of creating good quality jobs while keeping in mind the need for sustainable development to be pursued in full regard to its social and economic dimensions and not only in its environmental consequences or the transition to a green economy would be a nonentity.
He however stated that when transitioning to a green economy, predictable and appropriate regulations need to be put in place, hence, the role of governments to work closely with employers and workers’ organizations. The Director added that government and the different organizations of the multilateral system working together coherently for common objectives were necessary not only to achieve a just transition but most importantly to achieve all 17 inter-related goals of the UN 2030 Development Agenda.
“In fact, this will be one of the main issues under discussion at the International Labour Conference, which begins on June 5th 2017” disclosed Mr Ryder.
The Director General further stated that skills development and social protection were additional components for a just transition, as they demonstrate a proven record in facilitating socially acceptable and beneficial change at work.
Mr Ryder disclosed that many studies confirmed by several organisations, including the ILO’s Global Linkages model, predicted a drop in productivity levels of 2.4 per cent by 2030 and 7.2 per cent by 2050 under the business as the usual situation while ignoring climate change, may eventually damage economic growth.
However, he was delighted to make mention the positive news of knowing where nations want to go and how to get there. He said the Paris Agreement (in which the international community agreed to keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2° Celsius over pre-industrial levels) and the 2030 Development Agenda defined the intended destination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies had been accepted as a key reference point for the route to be taken.
Hence, he said according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, a shift to more sustainable practices in agriculture, which includes a high proportion of the global workforce and where decent work deficits are widespread and severe has the potential to create over 200 million more full-time jobs by 2050
“But knowing the destination and the road to follow is not enough. We need the political will to keep us going. A greener future will not be decent by default, but by design. So let’s not just mark World Environment Day. Let’s make it a reason to put our political will into action. The future of our jobs, and of our children, relies on it.” He added.