UN report — Global Issues

Launched by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature in United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal,Decent work in nature-based solutions The report highlights the need to green the economy in a fair and inclusive way, creating meaningful work opportunities for all.

“It is important that as we scale up the use of Nature Based Solutions (NbS), we ensure that we also do not increase the deficit in decent work, such as informal employment, low wages and low productivity conditions that many workers in the NbS are currently facing,” said Vic van Vuuren, Director, ILO Business Department.

“TheILO Justifiable Transition Principlesprovides a framework to help us do this.”

Working in nature

Solution based on nature purposeto protect, restore, and sustainably manage marine waters and ecosystems while delivering human well-being, ecosystem resilience, and biodiversity benefits.

Currently, NbS employs nearly 75 million people, 96% of whom live in Asia-Pacific and low-middle-income countries – despite the fact that the majority of global NbS spending occurs in high-income countries.

NbS jobs, many of which are part-time, total up to about 14.5 million full-time jobs.

However, the report warns that there are challenges in measuring NbS employment and that the figures do not reflect the job losses and displacements that may occur during the implementation of the Climate-Based Solutions. course.

job analysis

Nearly all NbS employed in low- and middle-income countries – 98% and 99% respectively – are in the agriculture and forestry sectors.

This figure drops to 42% for high-middle-income countries and 25% for high-income countries.

In industrialized countries, where agricultural productivity is high, NbS spending is focused on ecosystem restoration and natural resource management.

Public services contribute 37% of NbS work in high-income countries.

An additional 20 million jobs could be created worldwide if NbS investment triples by 2030 – an important step towards achieving the goals of biodiversity, land restoration and climate as set forth in the United Nations State of Finance for Nature Report 2021.

Green employment standards

However, the report cautions that there is currently no guarantee that NbS employment will meet ILO standards for green jobs in the environmental sector, nor does it fairly compensate workers in the environment. conditions of freedom, equality, security and human dignity.

“We welcomed the emphasis on Nature Based Solutions at COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh. “NbS are not just an important part of the mitigation equation – they also provide many co-benefits, including reducing the impacts of climate change,” said Susan Gardner, Director of UNEP’s Ecosystems Division. Queen”.

“What this report brings to light is how NbS works for people and the economy, and this will be a key success factor. It takes a broad coalition of youth leaders to achieve this.”