13 June
2008: The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Conference convened for its
ninety-seventh session from 28 May-3 June in Geneva, Switzerland. In a report
submitted to the Conference entitled
“Decent Work, Some Strategic Challenges Ahead,” ILO Director-General Juan Somavia recognizes that, although the
organization does not have a mandate on climate change per se, the changes in the economy will impact employment.

In the report, the
Director-General outlines the ILO’s work in this area, from environmental
crisis reconstruction to green jobs and sustainable
enterprises. In addition, the Report
to the Conference for the year 2007–08 highlights the Green Jobs
Initiative, which aims to link development and job creation to environmental
sustainability. The Report also indicates that in 2007, the ILO began
offsetting carbon emissions associated with official ILO air travel. [Decent
Work: Some Strategic Challenges Ahead] [ILO programme implementation
2006-2007]