Green jobs – Scenario across the world and the way forward
Context: At an event to mark World Environment Day recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about India’s consistent efforts to combat climate change. During his speech, he also mentioned India’s efforts to create ‘green jobs’.
What are ‘green jobs’?
- ‘Green jobs’ refer to a class of jobs that directly have a positive impact on the planet, and contribute to the overall environmental welfare.
- Jobs involving renewable energy, conservation of resources, and ensuring energy-efficient means are categorised under the same.
- In all, they’re aimed at reducing the negative environmental impact of economic sectors and furthering the process of creating a low-carbon economy.
- The idea behind a low-carbon economy or decarbonisation is fairly simple — it is about maintaining a sustainable economy, one that doesn’t lead to vast emissions of greenhouse gasses, especially carbon dioxide.
India and ‘green jobs’
The Skill Council for Green Jobs:
- The Skill Council for Green Jobs was launched by the Union government on October 1, 2015.
- Aligned to the National Skill Development Missions, it was set up to be a not-for-profit, independent, industry-led initiative.
Scenario across the world
The United Nations Environment Programme’s 2019 Emissions Gap report:
- The United Nations Environment Programme’s 2019 Emissions Gap report dictates that it is essential for greenhouse gas emissions to reduce by 7.6% per annum between the years 2020 to 2030 in order to reach the target that was set during the Paris Agreement.
- Failing to meet the same would consequently result in a failure to effectively combat global warming.
- Consequently, a decarbonised economy plays a key role in ensuring a greener, safer, healthier and more sustainable planet to inhabit.
The Green Jobs Initiative:
- The International Labour Organisation, the International Trade Union Confederation, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Employers Organisation collectively launched the Green Jobs Initiative in 2008, aimed at bettering placements, training and creating opportunities for individuals to work in ‘green jobs’.
The way forward
Prospects of the green economy by the next decade:
- According to the ILO, India moving to a green economy by the next decade would alone create about 3 million jobs in the renewable energy sector.
- The renewable energy sector created about 47,000 new jobs in 2017 accounting for a 12% increase in just the span of a year.
- For India ‘green jobs’ can prove immensely useful to the country with sectors like renewable energy, waste management, green transport and urban farming.
- An integrated, systematic approach is crucial to ensuring this.
Practice Question for Mains
- ‘Green jobs’ refer to a class of jobs that directly have a positive impact on the planet, and contribute to the overall environmental welfare. Comment.
Referred Sources
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