Why does decent work in the green economy matter?

Recognizing the pivotal role of decent work for sustainable development

The Rio+20 outcome document sets out a vision of sustainable development with social inclusion. It firmly establishes the pivotal role of decent work for sustainable development, both in a dedicated chapter and through numerous cross-references, emphasizing that it is vital to understand and act on the interlinkages between the economic, social and environmental pillars. It identifies the concept of a green economy as one of the pathways to sustainable development and stresses that its goal must be social inclusion and the creation of employment and decent work for all:

we consider green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication as one of the important tools available for achieving sustainable development and that it could provide options for policymaking but should not be a rigid set of rules. … We emphasize that it should contribute to eradicating poverty as well as sustained economic growth, enhancing social inclusion, improving human welfare and creating opportunities for employment and decent work for all, while maintaining the healthy functioning of the Earth’s ecosystems.

Recognizing the economic and social aspects of environmental change

The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) concluded that investing in the environment to increase its productivity, protect its stock of resources and harness its services is indispensable, makes economic sense and underpins growth. This organization therefore regard green economic growth, or a green economy, as superior to conventional growth in the medium to long term.

New opportunities for promoting decent work for all

These benefits are not automatic, but contingent on the right policies. Similarly, appropriate and coherent policies can mitigate the challenges environmental sustainability poses for the world of work. The ILO constituents can leverage the process of structural change towards more sustainable patterns of production and consumption into a global transition to decent work for all. At the same time, observing ILO policies and international labour standards can attenuate environmental degradation and serve to meet the goals of environmental sustainability. For example, if compliance with basic worker rights prevents forced labour, child labour or the suppression of free trade unions, lower tolerance of environmentally hazardous production and materials can be expected.

Source:

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=400&nr=1825&menu=35

http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_373209.pdf