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.
The paper investigates the current practices of the green economy, and challenges and opportunities in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The paper is based on a baseline study designed to gather data from key informants in Limpopo provincial, district and local municipalities. Twenty-three key informants in the province were interviewed. Primary data collected from key informants was supplemented by secondary data from document reviews. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data on the current practices of green economy, and challenges and opportunities in the province. Findings from the study suggest that there is generally significant awareness of the green economy concept across the provincial district and local municipalities in Limpopo Province. However, there are gaps in terms of information gathering, storage and sharing on green economy activities in the district municipalities, provincial and national departments.
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.
For the International Labour Organization (ILO), gender equality has been the core value of its work since its founding in 1919. The pursuit for gender equality is grounded on its recognition that equality is not just an intrinsic value and a right in itself, but also instrumental in achieving economic growth and poverty reduction. This policy brief aims to contribute to the discussion on how gender equality can become an integral part of green economy strategies and how equal access for women and men to green jobs which are decent can be enhanced. The policy brief is targeted at policy makers, social partners and experts in the field working on green jobs/green economy issues.