On 23 October 2018, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is hosting a dialogue on the theme of "Greening with Jobs: A just transition to sustainability" as part of the EMG Nexus Dialogues Series in Geneva, Switzerland.
Background
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides policy and guiding framework to understand how economic development, social justice and environmental sustainability are three interrelated objectives leading to more sustainable and resilient societies. Production and consumption activities and decent jobs depend on the use of natural resources and the services provided by natural ecosystems as well as human workforce. The greening of economies will enhance our ability to manage natural resources sustainably, increase energy efficiency and reduce waste while addressing inequalities and enhancing resilience. The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if the transition to green economies is inclusive, providing opportunities for decent work for all, reducing inequalities and effectively eliminating poverty. A just transition to green jobs requires that we leave no one behind.
The global efforts to transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies have profound social and economic repercussions on different groups of people and over time in all countries and at all levels of development. For this reason, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change adopted in 2015 calls for “Taking into account the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities”.
In the same vein, ILO constituents representing governments, workers and employers’ organizations adopted in November 2015 a set of Guidelines for a just transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all. These Guidelines offer a policy framework and a practical tool to ensure that responses to climate change advance employment creation, social justice and fair transitions for workers, enterprises and communities. Therefore, the concept of sustainability is a call for social justice within and between national borders and generations. Social justice realized through inclusive and sustainable development can guarantee that human societies are resilient and can generate a lasting and shared improvement in living conditions.
Objectives
The Nexus Dialogue on a just transition to environmental sustainability is meant to contribute to creating a common understanding of the concept of just transition, establish a global platform to share national and international experiences in the practical application of greening with jobs and just transition in national contexts; and foster support by both public and private stakeholders for social justice along with the fight for environmental sustainability. It will explore the potential of innovative financial solutions and mechanisms to create scalable and effective ways of channelling both private money and public resources towards just transition. However, the interlinkages of just transition with gender dimensions, human rights, the rights of the indigenous people, migration, innovation, technology, education and poverty are also central to the 2030 Agenda. The outcome of the conference will be a 10 point memorandum to guide policy advice, future research, partnerships, and advocacy.
Structure and Content
The Nexus Dialogue will be a one-day public event consisting of a high-level segment and a technical component. It would start with a high-level opening by UN senior officials and Geneva-based Ambassadors, followed by technical sessions among UN agencies and representatives of governments and social partners, research and civil society organizations with sessions on 1) just transition to environmental sustainability: conceptual and practical dimensions; 2) sharing of country experiences; 3) dialogue on innovative financing for just transition.
