The publication is the first comprehensive report on the emergence of a “green economy” and its impact on the world of work in the 21st Century.
Until now, there has been much anecdotal evidence indicating that the pattern of employment is indeed changing—and that new jobs are beginning to emerge in favor of greener, cleaner and more sustainable occupations. This report shows for the first time at global level that green jobs are being generated in some sectors and economies.
This is in large part as a result of climate change and the need to meet emission reduction targets under the UN climate convention. This has led to changing patterns of investment flows--flows into areas from renewable energy generation up to energy efficiency projects at the household and industrial level.
The bulk of documented growth in Green Jobs has so far occurred mostly in developed countries, and some rapidly developing countries like Brazil and China. Green Jobs are also beginning to be seen in other developing economies.
Green jobs are emblematic of a low-carbon and sustainable future, and it is imperative that decisive action be taken now to advance their growth and to remove all obstacles in their path—whether those obstacles take the form of insufficient investments, irresponsible consumption, or the blind imperatives of competition and profit.