Climate Action for Jobs initiative

At the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019, some 46 countries made commitments to support a just ecological transition. They would do so by formulating national plans for a just transition through social dialogue, creating decent work as well as green jobs, thus enabling ambitious action toward a sustainable future of work. This work was co-lead by countries Spain and Peru.

An adequate understanding of the social and employment impacts of climate action would guide national plans for a just transition. The plans would foster social dialogue and the inclusion of the representatives of enterprises and workers in skills development and upgrading measures, sustainable enterprise development, investment in policies and measures that support workers through transitions in labour markets, and inclusive social protection, in particular for the vulnerable.

The Paris Agreement on climate change adopted in 2015 notes the imperatives of a just transition and the creation of decent jobs in national contexts and circumstances as essential aspects of responses to climate change. In the same year, ILO constituents adopted the Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all through consensus among representatives of governments, employers and workers. The Guidelines offer a unique policy framework and a practical tool to guide the transformation to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies taking into account the social and employment-related dimensions.

A just transition to sustainable development can power a human-centred approach to the future of work that transforms economies and societies, maximizes opportunities of decent work for all, reduces inequalities, promotes social justice, and supports industries, workers and communities. Just transition matters for all countries, at all levels of development. To turn this human-centred agenda into concrete action, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced a Climate Action for Jobs initiative and identified the International Labour Organization to spearhead its implementation.

The Climate Action for Jobs initiative provides a roadmap to boost climate action, ensuring that people’s jobs and well-being are at the centre of the transition to a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient economy. The Initiative brings a programmatic response and technical support for countries making commitments on just transition to achieve ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation goals, while enhancing job creation and economic diversification, and ensuring a transition that is fair and inclusive.

To get involved, please contact the Green Jobs Programme: greenjobs@ilo.org