News

New ILO study says greener economies will require development of new green job skills

07 November 2011

The employment potential of the transition to greener economies cannot be realized without the development of a wide range of relevant new skills for green jobs, according to a new global study by the ILO of 21 countries representing some 60 per cent of the world population. “Skills for Green Jobs: A Global View” is the most comprehensive report to date, outlining the needs and challenges of developing new skills that will be critical to sustaining the growth of green economies.

Feature story

Questions and answers on the skills for green jobs challenge

07 November 2011

Developing new skills or upgrading existing ones is the key to unlocking the potential of green jobs. The Green Jobs Initiative of the ILO, the UN Environmental Programme, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has been working to turn this potential into reality since 2008. ILO News talks to Olga Strietska-Ilina, Skills Development Specialist with ILO’s Skills and Employability Department, about a new landmark ILO study developed together with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) on skill needs for greener economies.

Event

15th Asia and Pacific Regional Meeting – Special session on “Sustaining the Future with Green Jobs”

This panel shares information on the opportunities and challenges created by the shift to sustainable patterns of growth. It looks at ways that 'climate smart' policies can create jobs while ensuring the just transition necessary to allow workers and employers to adapt to new roles and responsibilities.

Event

Water in the Green Economy in Practice: Towards Rio+20

The event placed a special focus in showcasing already successful projects of how water can be a major contributor to developing a green economy. At the end of the conference, UN-Water issued a draft best practice guide to actions, instruments and policies to progress towards a green economy for sustainable development and poverty eradication. The ILO participated and contributed to the conference.

Article

The banana agribusiness in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica: rich ground to create green jobs

16 September 2011

The ILO, through the Joint Program for strengthening the Banana value chain by Growing Inclusive Markets, invited a delegation of fifteen technicians and producers of bananas from the Dominican Republic to visit Costa Rica to learn about the experience of this country's banana sector in plastic recycling as well as environmental and labor practices.

News

Planning a green economy in Kenya

06 July 2011

The first inter-ministerial workshop on Green Economy was held on Friday, 24 June 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya. This meeting, organized jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Kenyan Ministry of Environment, aimed at initiating a national discussion about the possibilities and challenges for the creation of a green economy.

Video

Video Highlights of the High-level Panel of Regional Economic Commissions on 'The Role of Decent Work in a Fairer, Greener and more Sustainable Globalization'

14 June 2011

Heads of the UN Regional Economic Commissions provided a dynamic exploration of the importance of productive and decent work in the wake of the global economic and jobs crisis. A range of regional examples and policy recommendations arising from lessons learned were discussed.

Event

High level panel: "The role of decent work in a fairer, greener and more sustainable globalization"

Statement

Message by Juan Somavia, Director-General of the ILO, on the occasion of World Environment Day 2011

03 June 2011

Article

ILO training keeps Fiji green and clean

28 April 2011

April 28th is observed globally as World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Waste collectors in Fiji have reason to celebrate this day, because, thanks to a new ILO programme combining ‘green’ environmental support measures with occupational safety and health (OSH) practices, they are enjoying better, safer and greener working conditions. By Surfaka Katafono, National Programme Officer, ILO Country Office for Pacific Island Countries.