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With The Right Investments, It Is Possible to Generate Millions of New Jobs and Protect Nature for Future Generations.
A new report prepared by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) presents an optimistic outlook for the future of the global labor market. The study indicates that nature-based solutions (NbS) could create up to 32 million jobs by 2030.
The report was launched during the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and emphasizes the need for targeted investments to harness the full potential of job creation in conservation and environmental management.
The Growth of Nature-Based Solutions
The concept of nature-based solutions involves actions to protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural and modified ecosystems.
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Currently, over 60 million people are already working in activities related to NbS around the world, performing tasks in terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
According to the report, investing in these solutions can drive the creation of quality jobs while providing direct benefits to the environment, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve biodiversity.
Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General of IUCN, explains that NbS are essential tools for addressing global crises such as global warming and biodiversity loss while promoting human well-being.
He states that when NbS are planned with a robust framework that considers environmental, social, and economic aspects, they can become an effective and scalable means to solve these interconnected problems, generating a large number of decent jobs.
The Global Distribution of Jobs
Although nature-based solutions offer enormous growth potential for the labor market, the impact will be more significant in certain regions.
The report highlights that in areas such as Africa, Latin America, and Arab States, the number of people employed in NbS-related activities could increase from 2.5 million to over 13 million by 2030.
This represents a significant growth in these regions’ share of the global workforce focused on nature.
In low- and middle-income countries, NbS have a significant impact, mainly because these activities tend to be more labor-intensive.
This means there is great potential to generate jobs in vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas, where job creation can directly benefit populations that might otherwise be excluded from the labor market.
Mirey Atallah, head of the Climate Adaptation Department at UNEP, points out that the growing demand for sustainable infrastructure presents a unique opportunity to direct investments toward nature.
With trillions of dollars in investments projected for infrastructure development in the coming decades, utilizing NbS can not only help mitigate the effects of climate change but also create thousands of jobs in the process.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Transition to Sustainable Solutions
Despite the job opportunities, the report also highlights some challenges that need to be addressed to ensure that NbS truly become an effective tool for job creation and environmental protection.
One of the main challenges identified is the skills gap, as most jobs in NbS currently require a medium level of qualification.
As this sector grows, it will be necessary to develop more specialized skills to meet the demand for more qualified professionals.
This includes both specific technical skills and essential abilities to handle the complexities of conservation and environmental restoration initiatives.
Furthermore, the report warns that as the adoption of NbS grows, it is crucial to ensure that transition measures are fair and inclusive.
This means that while investments in nature can bring benefits to many, actions must be taken to protect those whose jobs may be affected by these changes.
The development of public policies that consider local realities and the needs of the workforce will be essential for ensuring that everyone can equally benefit from the opportunities created by NbS.
The Role of Public Policies and Investments in Training
A crucial point highlighted by the report is the need to strengthen public policies aimed at NbS and direct investments toward skill development.
Increasing productivity and promoting workers’ rights are key factors in ensuring that the jobs generated are decent and sustainable in the long term.
To this end, it will be necessary to strengthen research and data collection on NbS so that policies can be based on accurate and up-to-date information about the labor market and the needs of each region.
Moustapha Kamal Gueye, director of the ILO, emphasizes that creating decent jobs in NbS requires a collaborative effort among governments, businesses, and international organizations.
He believes that the report can help guide policymakers on how to effectively plan and implement NbS to ensure that job opportunities are accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable.
A Sustainable Future with Plenty of Jobs for the Population
The report “Decent Work in Nature-Based Solutions 2024” offers a positive perspective for the future of the global labor market.
NbS, in addition to being an effective response to environmental challenges, provide an excellent opportunity to boost job creation worldwide.
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