Climate change is relevant to virtually all other SDGs, including Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth. Uncontrolled climate change will not only compromise the ability of countries to achieve this goal, but could reverse gains in economic prosperity, social progress and poverty reduction. Economic sectors particularly vulnerable, such as agriculture, are among the biggest employers. Besides, risks tend to be greater for workers and communities already in situations of vulnerability, including workers in the informal economy, indigenous and tribal peoples, migrant workers, women and youth.
This technical paper firstly addresses the negative impacts of climate change, such as through natural disasters, heat waves or droughts on employment and livelihoods. Second, it explores how climate-related policy, investment and consumption responses taken by countries, enterprises, workers and communities to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change can affect labour markets in their entirety with overall job gains. Finally, in view of the social and economic consequences of climate response measures, this paper concludes by stressing the need of accompanying social and economic policies to achieve a just transition for all that leaves no one behind and promotes decent work.
This report addresses two of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century: achieving environmental sustainability and turning the vision of decent work for all into a reality.
This volume examines the experiences of 21 developed and developing countries in adjusting their training provision to meet the new demands of a greener economy.