Just transition

Message of Support at the Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the Development of the Green Jobs Act Assessment and Certification System and Guidelines

By Mr Khalid Hassan, Director, ILO Country Office for the Philippines at the Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the Development of the Green Jobs Act Assessment and Certification System and Guidelines, Makati, Philippines, 17 May 2018

Statement | Makati, Philippines | 17 May 2018
  • Secretary de Guzman
  • Distinguished government officials and representatives from workers’ and employers’ organizations, private sector, academe and training institutions, civil society, development partners,
  • Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, good morning to all of you!
Thank you for joining us in today’s Multi-stakeholder Consultation on the Development of the Green Jobs Act Assessment and Certification System and Guidelines.

We are pleased to be collaborating with the Climate Change Commission for this important initiative.

The Philippines is among the fastest growing economies in the region, yet inequality, poverty and vulnerable employment remain. These challenges, along with climate change and environmental degradation, pose threats on the country’s economic and social progress.

The country has committed to address these challenges as reflected in the Philippine Development Plan, which is anchored on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change. These frameworks share common principles, which reinforce decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation and fighting climate change; and the promotion of decent jobs as a means to achieve sustainable development a just transition for all, ensuring no one is left behind.

Achieving these ambitious goals would require transformative and collective action, in a manner that addresses and balances the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development.

One important step that the Philippines has undertaken is the transformation of its economic sectors – following a pathway that is sustainable, climate-resilient and inclusive for all.

We all know that climate change and environmental degradation is a result of human activity, and in most part, is work-related. At the same time, impacts of climate change and destruction of the environment continue to undermine productivity and affect enterprises, jobs, and livelihoods.

It is for this reason that the world of work will have to play a key role in taking action to solve this pressing issue, together with all relevant stakeholders.

We no longer have to choose between creating jobs for people and preserving the environment. In fact, environmental sustainability can be pursued while creating decent jobs.

The passage of the Philippine Green Jobs Act enables the country to address both the environmental and employment challenges. It is also the only legislation that places human capital development and decent work central in promoting environmentally sustainable growth and in building climate change resilience.

A key feature of this law is the provision of incentives to business enterprises that are contributing to environmental sustainability and generate and sustain decent jobs, across all economic sectors. The incentives will be made accessible to micro, small, medium, and large enterprises, community-based enterprises, and those self-employed.

By providing incentives, the law addresses the need to build the capacity of enterprises and workers, which is key to enable and sustain the transition to a greener and inclusive economy. This includes incentivizing skills development for the workforce, research and development, and acquisition of capital equipment that contributes to greening the enterprise. It is hoped that through these incentives, stronger compliance to environmental and labour policies will also be achieved.

The development of the Green Jobs certification system, which is being led by the Climate Change Commission, is vital to ensure that these incentives will be accessed and truly contribute to transforming the sectors, in a way that is sustainable and inclusive, and provides decent jobs. Your full support and contribution in finalizing these standards is of utmost importance.

We recognize that pursuing a sustainable pathway offers immense opportunities for decent job creation, social inclusion, and poverty reduction. However, we have to understand that this will have profound impact on production and consumption patterns and will entail structural changes, which will have significant implications on the nature of work. The economic restructuring could result to jobs being created, shifted, eliminated and transformed in the process. Impact will be greater for those already in vulnerable situations, including workers in the informal economy, young people, women, indigenous peoples, and low-skilled workers.

Just transition measures need to be put in place so the country can take full advantage of the opportunities that the greening of the economy can offer, while ensuring that no one is left behind. These include skills training, social protection, redeployment, labor market interventions, economic diversification, community development, and support to enterprises. Central to this process is social dialogue, which is vital in building consensus on the development pathway and bringing policy coherence. Key stakeholders, including Government, employers, workers, and all other stakeholders, should also be on board to jointly address the interlinking issues concerning the greening of the economy.

The ILO continues to support this process through the Just Transition initiative in the Philippines. We will continue our strong partnership with the Climate Change Commission and other Government agencies, social partners, and development partners to accelerate the transition to a sustainable development pathway.

We count on your full support and participation in this process as we work towards realizing a greener, sustainable future through a just transition and decent work for all.

Thank you very much and I wish you all a productive and successful event.