The greening of the economy is a shared goal for advanced and less advanced economies alike, particularly where sustained and inclusive employment is an objective for policy-makers. However, the challenges of such greening, and the implications for employment and skills, vary across regions and countries. In the transition from high- to low-carbon production, labour market impacts are becoming more evident and changes will likely affect all workers. However, while these changes may be minor for the majority, they will be substantial for a small number of industries and professions. Preparation for the adjustments is essential to take full advantage of green growth opportunities. Policy-makers today are concerned with how to help their economies to move away from a low-level approach (low job quality, low environment protection, low skills), towards high skills, high productivity, and sustainable economies. This report provides evidence and policy analysis to foster an equitable shift to greener economies and more sustainable societies.
Green development emphasizes co-development between economic and environmental dimensions, and is a people-centered sustainable development approach. Western China demands green development, and international experience could provide necessary, unique and important help and support for Western China to achieve its green development goals. This paper has made a comprehensive overall review and analysis of international experience in green development policy and its implementation, in particular, OECD countries’ (mostly Australia and Canada) experience have been analyzed following the major policy foci defined by the Task Force on Strategy and Policies on Environment and Development in Western China initiated by China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). Data and information were gathered from the field surveys and investigations, expert meetings, as well as literature review. The main sections include policy framework and road map establishment, implementation and performance assessment, co-development between economic development and environmental protection, as well as green employment and poverty alleviation.
The overall objective of this course is to provide a conceptual and strategic framework for the promotion of green jobs at the national level, by focusing on the social and employment dimensions of the green economy.
As the negotiations on universal Sustainable Development Goals and a new global climate agreement enter the finishing straight, an old apprehension continues to linger: the perception that the world has to choose between creating jobs and prosperity for all and protecting the climate and environment.
Extensive research and – perhaps more importantly – mounting evidence from policies in countries and practices in enterprises around the world show that this is not the choice policy makers, business leaders and voters face. Enterprises and labour markets are not the problem. Quite to the contrary: the world of work is a source of solutions and is an indispensable driver to bring about the profound transformation of production and consumption patterns that are needed to make enterprises and our economies sustainable.
Unemployment is a major challenge for Europe. The crisis has led to budget cuts and it has made the socio-economic integration of people who have low educational attainment, low skills, a history of longterm unemployment and who are vulnerable even more difficult. At the same time, environmental degradation, climate change and unsustainable development are amongst the most serious threats that our society has to address; the environmental and health costs often outweighing the gains from economic activity.
Decent Work, Green Jobs and the Sustainable Economy demonstrates that green jobs can be a key economic driver, as the world steps into the largely uncharted territory of building a sustainable and low-carbon global economy. Poschen shows that positive outcomes are possible, but require a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges.
Enterprises, workers and governments are not passive bystanders in the great transformation that is urgently needed in our economies. They are essential agents of change, able to develop new ways of working in sustainable enterprises that safeguard the environment, create decent jobs and foster social inclusion.
This book highlights the solutions that the world of work offers for policy and practice to tackle climate change, achieve environmental sustainability and to build prosperous and cohesive societies. It is essential reading for those in business, academia and government.