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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 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides an optimistic forecast for the future of the global labor market. The study indicates that nature-based solutions (SbN) 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 highlights the need for targeted investments to harness the full potential for job creation in the areas of conservation and environmental management.
The Growth of Nature-Based Solutions
The concept of nature-based solutions involves actions to protect, restore and manage natural and modified ecosystems in a sustainable way.
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Currently, more than 60 million people already work in NBS-related activities around the world, performing tasks in terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems.
According to the report, investing in these solutions can boost the creation of empregos quality, while offering direct benefits to the environment, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve biodiversity.
Stewart Maginnis, IUCN Deputy Director General, explains that NBS are essential tools to address global crises such as global warming and biodiversity loss, while promoting human well-being.
According to him, when NBS are planned with a robust framework that considers environmental, social and economic aspects, they can become an effective and scalable means of solving these interconnected problems, generating a large number of decent jobs.
The global distribution of job vacancies
While nature-based solutions offer huge growth potential for the jobs market, the impact will be more significant in certain regions.
The report highlights that in areas such as Africa, Latin America and the 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 expressive growth in the participation of these regions in the global nature-oriented workforce.
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 employment 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 UNEP’s Climate Adaptation Department, points out that the growing demand for sustainable infrastructure offers a unique opportunity to direct investment towards nature.
With trillions of dollars in investment expected to build infrastructure over the coming decades, the use of NBS could 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 openings, the report also highlights some challenges to be addressed to ensure that NBS truly becomes an effective tool for creating jobs and protecting the environment.
One of the main difficulties identified is the technical skills gap, as most job vacancies in SbN currently require an average 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 competencies and essential skills to deal with the complexities of environmental conservation and restoration initiatives.
Furthermore, the report warns that as the adoption of NBS grows, it is crucial to ensure that transitional measures are fair and inclusive.
This means that while investments in nature can bring benefits to many, steps need to be taken to protect those whose jobs may be affected by these changes.
The development of public policies that consider local realities and workforce needs will be essential so that everyone can benefit equally 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 towards skills development.
Increasing productivity and promoting workers’ rights are key factors in ensuring that the jobs created 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 on the labor market and the needs of each region.
Moustapha Kamal Gueye, Director of the ILO, reinforces that the creation of decent jobs in NBS requires a collaborative effort between governments, companies and international organizations.
He believes the report can help guide policymakers on how to effectively plan and implement NBS, to ensure that jobs are accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable.
A sustainable future with many job opportunities for the population
The report “Decent Work in Nature-Based Solutions 2024” brings a positive outlook for the future of the global labor market.
In addition to being an effective response to environmental challenges, NBS offer an excellent opportunity to boost job creation worldwide.
