Green Jobs for Circularity

On 27 March 2023 (17:15-18:30 GMT+7) UN Environment Programme, through the Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals Initiative (GO4SDGs), is hosting the Side Event 'Green Jobs for Circularity' during the 10th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development.  The event is co-organized with SWITCH-Asia and the embassy of Finland in Bangkok. It focuses on the opportunities and challenges for the Asia and the Pacific region to move towards circularity while creating new green jobs for the sectors textiles, packaging, and agri-food.

Background
According to ILO, adopting sustainable practices in business operations to limit global warming to 2°C will create some 24 million jobs, offering youth – both men and women – job opportunities that will also contribute to the transition to a green and circular economy. The Asia and the Pacific region is home to more than 600 million youth, who can ensure skilled workforce for circular businesses. But this requires identifying needed skills and focusing on adequate education.
The textile industry in Asia and the Pacific accounts for 55% of the global textiles and clothing exports and employs around 60 million workers (approx. 80% women). Green jobs in agriculture and agri-food sectors are expected to increase as much as 60% in primary-sector employment and a 20% increase in global gross domestic product by 2050.

Key Questions and Outcomes
Bringing together a diverse panel of experts from the public sector, private sector and civil society, this session aims to draw attention to one of the essential enablers for scaling circular business models. Overconsumption of materials and natural resources causes 45% of GHG emissions and 90% of biodiversity loss. The circular economy can support achieving the 2030 Agenda by reducing material and resource consumption while enhancing the economic and social development and reducing environmental degradation. 

This side event will examine the following key guiding questions: 

• What are the enabling policies to accelerate the transition towards an inclusive circular economy? 
• What are some of the existing skills gaps in scaling circularity in high impact sectors? What is required to overcome this gap?
• What do you think are the priority areas where acceleration of green jobs needed to achieve circularity?

Expected outcomes:

• Increased understanding on the importance to invest in green skills and policies to drive for an inclusive circular economy in high impact sectors. 
• Suggested recommendations and action points to promote creation of green jobs for youth at the local and national levels. 
• Identification of existing barriers and possible solutions through sharing of best practices, knowledge and tools available.