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World Employment and Social Outlook 2018: Greening with jobs
Infographic
Executive Summary
Résumé exécutif
Resumen ejecutivo
FULL REPORT
  • GREENING WITH JOBS:
    Full report
  • CHAPTER 01:
    Environmental sustainability and decent work
  • CHAPTER 02:
    The employment impact of the transition to a green economy
  • CHAPTER 03:
    Regulatory frameworks: Integration, partnerships and dialogue
  • CHAPTER 04:
    Protecting workers and the environment
  • CHAPTER 05:
    Skills for the green transition
  • APPENDIX
  • Presentation - Greening with jobs
  • Chapter 01 - Environmental sustainability and decent work
  • Chapter 02 - The employment impact of the transition to a green economy
  • Chapter 03 - Regulatory frameworks: Integration, partnerships and dialogue
  • Chapter 04 - Protecting workers and the environment
  • Chapter 05 - Skills for the green transition
Presentation
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World
Employment
and
Social
Outlook
Greening with jobs
World Employment and Social Outlook 2018
Video
Infographic
World
Employment
and
Social
Outlook
Greening with jobs
World Employment and Social Outlook 2018
million
more jobs will result from achieving the Paris Agreement’s 2°C goal. 24 million jobs will be created and 6 million will be lost, meriting complementary policies to protect workers and ensure that the transition is just.
million
more jobs will result from embracing the circular economy. It encourages goods to be recycled, reused, remanufactured and repaired and move away from a extract-produce-use-discard economy.
billion
jobs depend on a stable and healthy environment. Jobs industries like agriculture, fisheries and forestry, but also tourism, pharmaceuticals and others depend on natural environmental processes.
World
Employment
and
Social
Outlook
Greening with jobs
World Employment and Social Outlook 2018
01
CHAPTER ONE
Environmental sustainability
and decent work
Video
Key findings
Environmental sustainability
and decent work
1.2
billion jobs depend on a healthy and stable environment
Environmental degradation hurts jobs and working conditions, as work depends on natural resources, on ecosystem services and on a stable, disaster-free environment.
23
countries have seen their economies grow and both their GHG emissions and footprint decline
They have shown it is possible to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, notably by using more renewable energy, and subsidizing green jobs and products. Decent work is compatible with environmental sustainability if economic growth itself is sustainable.
  Graph on the GHG intensity of employment
  Graph on the material intensity of employment
2
per cent of working hours, the equivalent of 72 million full-time jobs will be lost in 2030 due to heat stress
Temperature increases – even under the most conservative climate change scenarios – will make heat stress more likely, reducing the hours available for work, particularly in agriculture.
23
million working life years have been lost to disasters every year since 2000
Lives are lost, people are hurt and infrastructure is destroyed as a result of disasters produced or enhanced by human activity. Every year, the equivalent of 0.8 per cent of a year’s work is lost across the planet.
  Graph on heat stress and working hours lost
  Graph on working life years lost to disasters
 
Environmental degradation enhances inequalities
It threatens jobs and worsens working conditions, especially among the world’s most vulnerable people. Environmental sustainability is an issue of social justice.
Environmental sustainability
and decent work
1.2
billion jobs depend on a healthy and stable environment
Environmental degradation hurts jobs and working conditions, as work depends on natural resources, on ecosystem services and on a stable, disaster-free environment.
23
countries have seen their economies grow and both their GHG emissions and footprint decline
They have shown it is possible to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, notably by using more renewable energy, and subsidizing green jobs and products. Decent work is compatible with environmental sustainability if economic growth itself is sustainable.
  Graph on the GHG intensity of employment
  Graph on the material intensity of employment
2
per cent of working hours, the equivalent of 72 million full-time jobs will be lost in 2030 due to heat stress
Temperature increases – even under the most conservative climate change scenarios – will make heat stress more likely, reducing the hours available for work, particularly in agriculture.
  Working hours lost due to heat stress
23
million working life years have been lost to disasters every year since 2000
Lives are lost, people are hurt and infrastructure is destroyed as a result of disasters produced or enhanced by human activity. Every year, the equivalent of 0.8 per cent of a year’s work is lost across the planet.
  Working life years lost to disasters
 
Environmental degradation enhances inequalities
It threatens jobs and worsens working conditions, especially among the world’s most vulnerable people. Environmental sustainability is an issue of social justice.
1.2
billion jobs depend on a healthy and stable environment
Environmental degradation hurts jobs and working conditions, as work depends on natural resources, on ecosystem services and on a stable, disaster-free environment.
02
CHAPTER TWO
The employment impact of the transition to a green economy
Video
Key findings
The employment impact of
the transition to a green economy
18
million jobs can be created by achieving sustainability in the energy sector
Limiting global warming to 2°C by the end of the century will create, by 2030, jobs in in construction, electrical machinery manufacturing, copper mining, renewable energy production and biomass crop cultivation. But there will be fewer jobs in petroleum extraction and refinery, coal mining and production of electricity from coal meriting policies to protect these workers to make sure the transition is just for all.
  Energy sustainability in 2030 and employment: sectors
  Energy sustainability in 2030 and employment: regions
6
million jobs can be created by embracing the circular economy
Moving away from an extract-manufacture-use-discard economy will shed jobs in extractive industries and create new ones in waste management, the re-processing of materials, and services like rental and repair.
  The circular economy in 2030 and employment: sectors
  The circular economy in 2030 and employment: regions
 
Promoting sustainability in agriculture will change rural economies
A shift to conservation agriculture may shed jobs but improve the quality of employment, while a shift to organic agriculture may create jobs, but put more pressure on the land. New policies are needed to ensure that the transition in agriculture is an opportunity for workers and economies.
 
Workers and employers are key actors in the transition through green jobs and sustainable enterprises
They have made significant contributions through green jobs and sustainable business practices. But stronger commitment by firms is needed to achieve environmental sustainability at the global level.
The employment impact of
the transition to a green economy
18
million jobs can be created by achieving sustainability in the energy sector
Limiting global warming to 2°C by the end of the century will create, by 2030, jobs in in construction, electrical machinery manufacturing, copper mining, renewable energy production and biomass crop cultivation. But there will be fewer jobs in petroleum extraction and refinery, coal mining and production of electricity from coal meriting policies to protect these workers to make sure the transition is just for all.
  Energy sustainability in 2030 and employment: sectors
  Energy sustainability in 2030 and employment: regions
6
million jobs can be created by embracing the circular economy
Moving away from an extract-manufacture-use-discard economy will shed jobs in extractive industries and create new ones in waste management, the re-processing of materials, and services like rental and repair.
  The circular economy in 2030 and employment: sectors
  The circular economy in 2030 and employment: regions
 
Promoting sustainability in agriculture will change rural economies
A shift to conservation agriculture may shed jobs but improve the quality of employment, while a shift to organic agriculture may create jobs, but put more pressure on the land. New policies are needed to ensure that the transition in agriculture is an opportunity for workers and economies.
 
Workers and employers are key actors in the transition through green jobs and sustainable enterprises
They have made significant contributions through green jobs and sustainable business practices. But stronger commitment by firms is needed to achieve environmental sustainability at the global level.
18
million jobs can be created by achieving sustainability in the energy sector
Limiting global warming to 2°C by the end of the century will create, by 2030, jobs in in construction, electrical machinery manufacturing, copper mining, renewable energy production and biomass crop cultivation. But there will be fewer jobs in petroleum extraction and refinery, coal mining and production of electricity from coal meriting policies to protect these workers to make sure the transition is just for all.
  Energy sustainability in 2030 and employment: sectors
  Energy sustainability in 2030 and employment: regions
03
CHAPTER THREE
Regulatory frameworks: Integration, partnerships and dialogue
Video
Key findings
Regulatory frameworks:
Integration, partnerships and dialogue
 
International labour standards ensure a just transition to a green economy
  • They provide the legal foundation to deal with social issues of the green economy, and can promote decent working conditions in green sectors.
  • They provide a legal framework for skills relevant for the green transition.
  • They ensure public voice and participation in decision making related to environmental and climate change policies affecting the world of work.
  • They protect workers who are forced from their homes and across borders as a result of climate change and natural disasters.
 
Several ILO instruments contribute to protecting the environment
Alongside social and developmental aspects, ILO instruments also support and reinforce the environmental pillar of the green economy and, more broadly, sustainable development. ILO Convention No. 169, for example, requires environmental impact assessments for development activities that may affect indigenous and tribal communities. ILO instruments on occupational safety and health protection contain measures that contribute to the protection and preservation of the environment. For example, the management of pollution and waste disposal is addressed by the Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) and Recommendation (No. 172), the Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) and Recommendation (No. 177), and the Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) and Recommendation (No. 192).
 
Some countries are integrating decent work agenda in their climate and environmental legislation
Multilateral environmental agreements, which are binding agreements between States, increasingly include labour dimensions, such as environmental rights at work, occupational safety and health, employment protection and promotion. A few countries have adopted a broad and comprehensive policy framework on the green economy. Few other countries integrated labour issues into laws and policies related to specific issues such as climate change, energy, land use, agriculture, forestry, waste management and transport.
 
Social dialogue can help a transition to sustainable economies
  • Prevent and reduce the environmental impact of enterprises.
  • Put into action environmental policies, plans and actions within an enterprise.
  • Improve working conditions, as appropriate environmental regulations and practices also help to prevent and minimize risks to worker health.
  • Preserve the quality of jobs and promote the quality of new green jobs.
  • Enhance public participation and voice in environmental decisions and decision-making processes.
Regulatory frameworks:
Integration, partnerships and dialogue
 
International labour standards ensure a just transition to a green economy
  • They provide the legal foundation to deal with social issues of the green economy, and can promote decent working conditions in green sectors.
  • They provide a legal framework for skills relevant for the green transition.
  • They ensure public voice and participation in decision making related to environmental and climate change policies affecting the world of work.
  • They protect workers who are forced from their homes and across borders as a result of climate change and natural disasters.
 
Several ILO instruments contribute to protecting the environment
Alongside social and developmental aspects, ILO instruments also support and reinforce the environmental pillar of the green economy and, more broadly, sustainable development. ILO Convention No. 169, for example, requires environmental impact assessments for development activities that may affect indigenous and tribal communities. ILO instruments on occupational safety and health protection contain measures that contribute to the protection and preservation of the environment. For example, the management of pollution and waste disposal is addressed by the Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) and Recommendation (No. 172), the Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) and Recommendation (No. 177), and the Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) and Recommendation (No. 192).
 
Some countries are integrating decent work agenda in their climate and environmental legislation
Multilateral environmental agreements, which are binding agreements between States, increasingly include labour dimensions, such as environmental rights at work, occupational safety and health, employment protection and promotion. A few countries have adopted a broad and comprehensive policy framework on the green economy. Few other countries integrated labour issues into laws and policies related to specific issues such as climate change, energy, land use, agriculture, forestry, waste management and transport.
 
Social dialogue can help a transition to sustainable economies
  • Prevent and reduce the environmental impact of enterprises.
  • Put into action environmental policies, plans and actions within an enterprise.
  • Improve working conditions, as appropriate environmental regulations and practices also help to prevent and minimize risks to worker health.
  • Preserve the quality of jobs and promote the quality of new green jobs.
  • Enhance public participation and voice in environmental decisions and decision-making processes.
 
International labour standards ensure a just transition to a green economy
  • They provide the legal foundation to deal with social issues of the green economy, and can promote decent working conditions in green sectors.
  • They provide a legal framework for skills relevant for the green transition.
  • They ensure public voice and participation in decision making related to environmental and climate change policies affecting the world of work.
  • They protect workers who are forced from their homes and across borders as a result of climate change and natural disasters.
04
CHAPTER FOUR
Protecting workers
and the environment
Video
Key findings
Protecting workers
and the environment
 
Workers and their families affected by climate change need social protection
The need for social protection systems will increase as temperatures increase, precipitation patterns change and natural disasters become more common and intense.
  Protecting workers and the environment: Case studies
 
Workers affected by the transition to a green economy need social protection
Unemployment protection schemes need to cover more workers and support those who lose their jobs in the shift to an environmentally sustainable economy.
  Protecting workers and the environment: Case studies
  Percentage of workers covered by unemployment benefits
 
Cash transfer programmes help people cope with environmental events
In countries like Kenya or Ethiopia, cash transfer programmes are adapted to climate variations to support people affected by natural disasters or climate events. They can also support workers who lose out from the green transition, as it is the case in Egypt.
50
per cent of public employment programmes include a green component
Public employment programmes can combine economic, social and environmental objectives to support adaptation to and mitigation of environmental degradation.
  Public employment programmes by region
 
Payment for ecosystem services can also target environmental and social objectives
If carefully designed and implemented, payments for ecosystem services schemes offer cost-effective protection for the environment, while also supporting household incomes. .
 
Extending social protection and green investment leads to positive economic and social outcomes
If well-designed, policies that extend transfers, strengthen social protection and support green investment are financially viable and conducive to higher growth, employment creation and a fairer income distribution.
Protecting workers
and the environment
 
Workers and their families affected by climate change need social protection
The need for social protection systems will increase as temperatures increase, precipitation patterns change and natural disasters become more common and intense.
  Protecting workers and the environment: Case studies
 
Workers affected by the transition to a green economy need social protection
Unemployment protection schemes need to cover more workers and support those who lose their jobs in the shift to an environmentally sustainable economy.
  Protecting workers and the environment: Case studies
  Percentage of workers covered by unemployment benefits
 
Cash transfer programmes help people cope with environmental events
In countries like Kenya or Ethiopia, cash transfer programmes are adapted to climate variations to support people affected by natural disasters or climate events. They can also support workers who lose out from the green transition, as it is the case in Egypt.
50
per cent of public employment programmes include a green component
Public employment programmes can combine economic, social and environmental objectives to support adaptation to and mitigation of environmental degradation.
  Public employment programme by region
 
Payment for ecosystem services can also target environmental and social objectives
If carefully designed and implemented, payments for ecosystem services schemes offer cost-effective protection for the environment, while also supporting household incomes.
 
Extending social protection and green investment leads to positive economic and social outcomes
If well-designed, policies that extend transfers, strengthen social protection and support green investment are financially viable and conducive to higher growth, employment creation and a fairer income distribution.
 
Workers and their families affected by climate change need social protection
The need for social protection systems will increase as temperatures increase, precipitation patterns change and natural disasters become more common and intense.
  Skills development policies: country profiles
05
CHAPTER FIVE
Skills for the
green transition
Video
Key findings
Skills for
the green transition
 
Imbalances persist between skills offered and skills needed for the green transition
This skills mismatch is identified as an obstacle to the greening of the economy in 21 of 27 countries surveyed.
  Skills development policies: Country profiles
 
A few countries integrate environmental sustainability and skills policies
Only a few advanced and emerging countries have environmental sustainability policies that make explicit reference to skills development or full-fledged policies with a focus on skills for the green transition.
 
Not all countries have developed or utilized their skills institutions to prepare for the green transition
Of the 27 countries surveyed, around one-third – most of them low- and middle-income countries – are yet to mainstream environmental sustainability in their skills development measures.
 
Social dialogue is key to facilitate a just transition
Discussions on skills for the green transition tend to be led by governments with the involvement of employers, but to a lesser extent of trade unions. The employers’ associations play a pivotal role in improving the matching of skills demand and supply, by informing policy-makers of the changing skills needs. The participation of workers’ organizations can help ensure that equity considerations are taken into account, including facilitating the access of all to training.
Skills for
the green transition
 
Imbalances persist between skills offered and skills needed for the green transition
This skills mismatch is identified as an obstacle to the greening of the economy in 21 of 27 countries surveyed.
  Protecting workers and the environment
 
A few countries integrate environmental sustainability and skills policies
Only a few advanced and emerging countries have environmental sustainability policies that make explicit reference to skills development or full-fledged policies with a focus on skills for the green transition.
 
Not all countries have developed or utilized their skills institutions to prepare for the green transition
Of the 27 countries surveyed, around one-third – most of them low- and middle-income countries – are yet to mainstream environmental sustainability in their skills development measures.
 
Social dialogue is key to facilitate a just transition
Discussions on skills for the green transition tend to be led by governments with the involvement of employers, but to a lesser extent of trade unions. The employers’ associations play a pivotal role in improving the matching of skills demand and supply, by informing policy-makers of the changing skills needs. The participation of workers’ organizations can help ensure that equity considerations are taken into account, including facilitating the access of all to training.
 
Imbalances persist between skills offered and skills needed for the green transition
This skills mismatch is identified as an obstacle to the greening of the economy in 21 of 27 countries surveyed.
  Skills development policies: Country profiles
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Working hours lost due to heat stress under a 1.5°C scenario, 1995-2030
Source: ILO calculations based on ILOStat and HadGEM2-ES and GFDL-ESM2M climate models.
GHG intensity of employment
Note: When plotting one country or region, figures represent the tons of GHG emissions per person in employment. When comparing two countries, the points show percentage differences to the selected country in 2000.
Material intensity of employment
Note: When plotting one country or region, figures represent the tons of materials extracted per person in employment. When comparing two countries, the points show percentage differences to the selected country in 2000.
Working life years lost to disasters
Note: When plotting one country or region, figures represent the working life years lost per 100,000 people in each country or region. When comparing two countries, the points show percentage differences to the selected country in 2000. The estimates take into consideration casualties, people affected and damages resulting from metereological (storms, fog, extreme temperature), hydrological (floods, landslides, wave action), climatological (drought, glacial lake outburst, wildfires), biological (insect infestation) and certain technological (industrial or miscellaneous accidents) hazards. Estimates do not include casualties, people affected or damages resulting from geophysical (earthquake, mass movement, volcanic activity), biological (viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal or prion disease epidemics, animal accidents), extraterrestial (impact, space weather) or certain technological (transport accidents) hazards. The methods used follow Noy’s (2014) approach, with adjustments for retirement age and national employment-to-population ratios. Appendix 4 provides more details on the methodology applied.
Employment change in a scenario of energy sustainability in 2030
Notes: Percentage difference in employment between the sustainable energy scenario and the IEA 6°C (business-as-usual) scenario by 2030.
Source: ILO calculations based on Exiobase v3.
Employment change in a scenario of energy sustainability in 2030
Notes: Percentage difference in employment between the sustainable energy scenario and the IEA 6°C (business-as-usual) scenario by 2030.
Source: ILO calculations based on Exiobase v3.
Employment change in a circular economy scenario in 2030
Notes: Percentage difference and percentage point difference in employment outcomes between the circular economy scenario and the IEA 6°C (business-as-usual) scenario by 2030.
Source: ILO calculations based on Exiobase v3.
Employment change in a circular economy scenario in 2030
Notes: Percentage difference and percentage point difference in employment outcomes between the circular economy scenario and the IEA 6°C (business-as-usual) scenario by 2030.
Source: ILO calculations based on Exiobase v3.
Percentage of workers covered by unemployment protection schemes, by region, latest available year
Note: This figure shows the percentage of the labour force that is legally covered by unemployment protection schemes. The higher the bar, the larger the share of workers protected against the risk losing their jobs (e.g. as a result of the transition to a green economy). Regional estimates are weighted by the labour force.
Sources: ILO, 2017, Figure 3.16, based on World Social Protection Database; ISSA/SSA, Social Security Programs Throughout the World; ILOSTAT, completed with national statistical data for the quantification of the groups legally covered.
World Social Protection Database
Public employment programme components by region
Note: ILO estimates based on the description of the work or projects undertaken under each PEP available in the database. In view of the limited information available in the data describing the work or projects undertaken under each PEP, a conservative approach has been adopted, considering mitigation or adaptation components to be present only if they are explicitly mentioned. For example, the construction of irrigation canals is considered as infrastructure work if the objective of reducing the impact of drought is not mentioned. The number of programmes with environmental components may therefore be underestimated.
Source: ILO calculations based on data for 86 PEPs in Subbarao et al., 2013.
Protecting workers and the environment: Case studies
References
Das, S.K. 2013. “A brief scanning on performance of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in Assam, India”, in American Journal of Rural Development, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 49–61.
Farhat, M.; Merttens, F.; Riungu, C. 2017. Evaluation of the Kenya Hunger Safety Net Programme Phase 2: Emergency payments deep dive study, (Oxford, Oxford Policy Management).
Fortun, P.R. 2017. “Ethiopia’s PSNP: A social protection programme building climate-resilient communities” (capacity4dev.eu).
ILO and AFD (International Labour Organisation and Agence française de développement). 2016. How are rural workers and residents in China faring with conservation efforts? Social protection and climate change country briefs series (Geneva)
—. 2016a. How has the removal of fuel subsidies in Egypt affected its people and the climate? Social protection and climate change country briefs series (Geneva)
Otulana, S.; Hearle, C.; Attah, R.; Merttens, F.; Wallin, J. 2016. Evaluation of the Kenya Hunger Safety Net Programme Phase 2: Qualitative Research Study - Round 1, Oxford Policy Management.
Schwarzer, H.; Van Panhuys C.; Diekman K. 2016. Protecting people and the environment: Lessons learnt from Brazil’s Bolsa Verde, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, South Africa and 56 other experiences, ESS Working Paper No. 54 (Geneva, ILO).
WB (World Bank). 2017. “Transforming livelihoods through cash transfers to more than 1.5 million families in Egypt” (Washington, DC)
Skills development policies: Profiles of 27 countries surveyed, 2017