April 2014: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a fourth publication in its series of Post-2015 Notes. ‘Green and Decent Jobs for Poverty Eradication’ outlines potential growth areas for jobs that deliver decent working conditions as well as environmental benefits, citing International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 600 million new jobs need to be created over the next ten years.

In nature-based employment – for example, in forests, fisheries, pastoralism and ecosystem services – the briefing note highlights the potential for job creation in, inter alia: agricultural practices that maintain environmental quality and increase productivity and profitability; sustainable small-scale fisheries and ‘greening’ of marine fisheries to reduce wasteful harvesting practices; certification of sustainable aquaculture products; and sustainable forest management.

In services, the authors propose formalizing jobs in the waste and recycling sector, which are often carried out by the very poor, to create safer working conditions and introduce new skills. They call for increasing access to sustainably derived basic services, such as low-cost housing, clean energy, safe drinking water and sanitation. They also recommend further investment in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, which are experiencing a shortage of skilled workers.

To achieve these aims, the authors call for policy packages combining inclusive green economy measures, social policy tools and targeted investments. [Publication: UNEP Post 2015 Note #4: Green and Decent Jobs for Poverty Eradication] [UNEP Webpage on Post-2015]