green jobs & climate diplomacy

7/25/2019 Green Jobs & Climate Diplomacy

1/15

Supported by

DISCUSSION PAPER

CONNECTING THE DOTS: INTEGRATING GREENJOBS INTO CLIMATE DIPLOMACY

BY MICHAEL RENNER, WORLDWATCH INSTITUTE, FEBRUARY 2015

The concepts of climate security and green jobs remain effectively discon-

nected from each other. But there is good reason to connect the dots. This

brief discusses why and how, supported by good practice examples, and identi-

fies opportunities for an integrated approach to climate diplomacy.

Introduction and Background

The concepts of climate security and green jobs emerged during the last two decades, propelled bydifferent sets of concerns, and shaped by distinct research and policy communities.

One concept, climate security (and its more recent variant, climate diplomacy), is driven by worries that

climate change can translate into social, economic, and political repercussions and undermine humanand national security. Climate-related pressures could reinforce existing problems, lead to political

instability, and perhaps even trigger violent conflicts within or among countries. It is a discourse that

has primarily taken place among analysts and practitioners of security and foreign policy.

The other concept, green jobs, results from concerns about climate impacts on the health of econo-mies, including employment in particular, but it is also informed by worrisome trends such as unem-ployment and precarious forms of work, which are distressing realities in many countries. The concept

embodies the recognition that environmental and economic policy goals can and need to be pursued intandem. This discussion primarily involves analysts and practitioners of economic development, at thelocal, regional, and national levels, as well as those who are concerned with social protection and in-

clusion.

The two concepts and the respective policy communities remain effectively disconnected from

each other. But there is good reason to connect the dots.

Doing so helps to move the discussion from more traditional notions of climate-driven threats to the

more productive question of how best to address common vulnerabilities in ways that can generate

economic opportunities and ensure social protection. This is in line with the admonition by Gemenne(2014) that researchers need to better understand not only what causes competition and conflict, but

also peace and cooperation. Minimizing negative repercussions from climate change, supporting gen-uinely sustainable development, and boosting resilience can help create jobs and support livelihoods.


2/15

Connecting the Dots: Integrating Green Jobs into Climate Diplomacy 2 | 15

This combination therefore has the potential for a triple payoff: reducing the likelihood of catastrophic

climate disruptions, advancing smart security policy, and avoiding the conditions that feed instabilityand conflict.

This discussion brief first provides a basic definition of the two concepts at issue, then discusses the

connections between climate diplomacy and green jobs, before moving on to offering examples andexperiences with relevant green job creation.

Definitions

The concepts of climate security and green jobs have been interpreted in a variety of ways, and it is fair

to say that there is no single, universally accepted definition. This is not just a result of intellectualdivergence, but rather reflects the very real differences in perceptions, needs, and concerns amongvarious regions, countries, and population groups around the world.

Defining Climate Diplomacy

As a joint report by Adelphi and the German Federal Foreign Office (Adrizola et al., 2013) noted: Geo-political questions, livelihood and development issues, and a sustainable, green economy can play a

key role [in climate diplomacy], and their relevance as well as their ability to contribute to the solution

vary according to the context.

The Adelphi / Federal Foreign Office report highlights four dimensions of climate diplomacy. Two of

them are of particular relevance to the intersection between climate policy and green jobs, highlightingboth threats and opportunities. Thus, according to Adrizola et al., the policy response to climate

change is:

1. an opportunity for sustainable growth. A green economic transformation can deliver sus-tainable prosperity and improved energy and resource security. Investment in environmentally

sound technologies provides a large source of new and stable green jobs whilst reducing theeconomic and social costs of pollution. Bilateral and multilateral partnerships can serve asmeaningful instruments for overcoming barriers to trade and investing in low carbon technol-

ogies, as well as developing robust carbon pricing mechanisms.2.

... a threat to livelihood security. Climate change threatens livelihoods through resource deg-

radation and disasters. Many countries fear that it will become increasingly difficult to meet

the basic needs of their populations. Foreign and development policies can support thestrengthening of adaptive capacities through economic diversification, investment in infra-structure and agriculture, and the promotion of integrated water and resource management

and disaster preparedness. (adelphi, 2014)

Measures to create green jobs are a critical element to ward off threats to livelihoods and to act on theopportunities for building more climate-friendly economies.

Defining Green Jobs

Recognizing that the task of sustainability implies far-ranging changes throughout the global economy,the 2008 UNEP report Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon Worldoffered

an expansive definition of green jobs:

We define green jobs as work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), ad-

ministrative, and service activities that contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmen-


3/15


tal quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodi-

versity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high-efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollu-tion. (UNEP, 2008)

Here, a more climate-focused definition applies, so that issues like waste generation and recycling falloutside the focus area.

The green jobs concept encompasses both the creation of new jobs and the greening (and thus safe-

guarding) of existing ones, in the primary sector (agriculture, forestry, and fisheries), in the energy

industry; and in protecting and restoring natural resource assets.

In the energy sector, the criteria for what constitutes a green job are relatively straightforward this

concerns a number of renewable energy technologies quite distinct from the dominant fossil fuels.

Nuclear power is sometimes also presented as a low- or zero-carbon technology, but it has many seri-ous drawbacks, including impacts of uranium mining, high cost, health and safety concerns, and unre-

solved waste management problems.

For many other sectors of the economy, green jobs are not always unambiguously distinct from less

sustainable ones, and one might therefore, as UNEP (2008) does, speak of shades of green. In eachsector, there is a need to establish clear criteria and benchmarks for what makes jobs green and cli-mate-friendly. The dividing lines are far from static, as technologies and practices (such as energy use

efficiency) change over time.

Connecting Climate Diplomacy and Green Jobs

Climate change will intensify many existing environmental and resource challenges, such as the deple-tion and scarcity of fresh water, arable land, and forests. Especially where economies are heavilygeared toward agriculture, or are otherwise directly dependent on the health of the natural resource

base, the repercussions from climate change could translate into conflict.

Figure 1. Climate Change Impacts and Green Job Potential


4/15


Figure 1 sketches, in simplified form, how manifestations of climate change can impact livability and

might translate into conflict. Climate policy, including climate diplomacy, needs to address the variousrepercussions that may flow from climate disruptions, and identify ways to turn these challenges intogreen jobs and livelihood opportunities that can provide both climate and social stability. In the right-

hand column, the Figure suggests a broad array of mitigative, adaptive, and resilience-building solu-

tions. They range from the promotion of renewable energy to sustainable forms of agriculture andforestry to restoration, disaster-resistant structures, and economic diversification.

Climate policy needs not only to minimize negative physical impacts on ecosystems and natural re-

sources, but also to address critical social dimensions. In other words, it needs to strengthen resili-

ence by offering viable employment and livelihood perspectives to people and communities. Creating aclimate-compatible economy requires the active involvement and empowerment of millions of skilledand motivated workers and farmers. There is thus an important (though not always acknowledged)

rights-based dimension.

A green jobs strategy entails two basic dimensions:

A proactive dimension: Jobs and livelihoods that help prevent (or at least minimize) climate

disruption through greenhouse gas mitigation, renewable energy expansion, energy and water

efficiency promotion, etc. A reactive dimension: Jobs and livelihoods that help avoid (or minimize) loss and damage from

climate disruption through adaptation measures, environmental restoration, and disaster pre-

vention efforts.

Thematic Opportunities: Selected Green Jobs Experiences

In this context, this discussion paper provides a number of examples of successful green job creation

and additional green job potential in three broad areas: energy; agriculture and forestry; and environ-mental restoration. In addition to renewable energy promotion, it is also important to pursue energyefficiency opportunities throughout the economy, and this paper briefly discusses green job experienc-

es in the building sector, a major energy user.

Renewable Energy

The last several years have shown the employment potential of low-carbon, renewable energy technol-ogies. As costs have declined and investments have risen, it was estimated in mid-2014 that worldwide

there are some 6.5 million jobs in the renewable energy sector (mostly in bioenergy, solar energy, and

wind power). (IRENA, 2014) This is up from an earlier estimate of 2.3 million in 2006. (UNEP, 2008) TheInternational Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA, 2013) projects that by 2030, the number could rise to

16.7 million jobs.

Renewable energy is expanding in more and more countries, and this generates fresh employmentopportunities. The manufacturing of renewable energy equipment is relatively concentrated in a small

number of countries. However, there are significant job opportunities for many countries in other as-pects of the renewable energy value chain, including in construction and project development, installa-tions, sales and distribution, and operations and maintenance. This is especially important in many

developing countries where a large share of the population either relies on fossil fuels or has inade-quate access to modern and clean forms of energy.


5/15


The experience of Bangladesh indicates the tremendous potential. With the help of micro-credit fi-

nancing, installations of solar home systems (SHS) have grown rapidly in the last decade, to about 3.3million units. (See Figure 2.) The monthly installation rate is now more than 80,000 units. Estimatesput the number of SHS sector jobs in Bangladesh at 60,000 or moresome in SHS assembly, but many

in distribution, financing, installations, and maintenance. (Barua, 2014) About 50 Green Technology

Centres have provided technical training and benefited several thousand people, including many wom-en. (Strietska-Ilina et al., 2011; Bimesdoerfer et al., 2011) Domestic factors like vocational training, the

ability to adapt technologies to local needs, and the enforcement of quality standards proved to be im-portant elements in Bangladeshs experience. But climate diplomacy can play a role in replicating

success stories, for example through support for microfinance, as has been done by USAID. (UNDESA,

2011)

Figure 2. Cumulative SHS Installations in Bangladesh, 2002-2014

Note: 2014 figure includes installations up to October.

Sources: Adapted from Haque, 2012; Barua, 2014; IDCOL, 2014.

The pursuit of renewable energy helps mitigate carbon emissions, and thus achieves critical goals of

climate policy and helps reduce the likelihood of climate-related conflicts. However, in some casesrenewable energy projects may actually generate conflicts of their own, as has been seen in the case of

certain types of biofuels projects and large-scale hydropower.

Large-scale biofuels monocultures have generally proved controversial, given doubts over their net

carbon balance, concerns about food-versus-fuel tradeoffs, and land grabbing incidents. The experi-ence in Tanzania, for example, suggests that the number of jobs at large-scale plantations is relativelylow. (Gasparatos et al., 2012; Arndt, et al., 2010) Often unskilled and seasonal in nature, plantation

employment may not be adequate compensation for land lost to biofuels plantations (and for the for-

saken access to resources that support a range of livelihood activities, including timber, fuelwood, foodproducts, and medicinal plants). (Mdemu, 2011; Bergius, 2012) Farmer associations may be able to

generate better outcomes, especially if they move into feedstock processing and build local supplychains. (Matango, 2006; Action Aid Tanzania, 2009)

Climate diplomacy needs to ensure that biofuels development takes place in accord with community

needs and rights; the experience to date suggests that bioenergy development must therefore go be-yond simply promoting foreign investment and facilitating land deals for energy projects, and ensure

that such projects are equitable and socially sustainable.

0

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Million

en


6/15


Large-scale hydropower also has its problematic sides with regard to massive environmental impacts

and population displacements. Small hydro, by contrast, can be an alternative to destructive, and con-flict-inducing, large dams.1 Global installed small hydro capacity has roughly doubled in the first dec-ade of this century and may double again by 2020. (Thilak, 2010) China alone has half the worlds cur-

rent capacity, followed at a large distance by Europe, North America, and South Asia. Besides East

Asia, the largest remaining potential for new facilities is found in South Asia, South America, WesternAsia, Southern Europe, Eastern Africa, and Southeast Asia. (Small Hydropower World, 2014)

Employment estimates for small hydro are difficult to come by. A back-of-the-envelope calculation

based on information from selected countries and on installed capacities suggests the global figure

could be 150,000 jobs or more, and that moving from the current 75 gigawatts (GW) of capacity to theassumed global potential of 173 GW could add another 200,000 jobs or more. Unlike large hydro facili-ties (which come with an influx of outside labor), it is likely that small plants provide the social stability

associated with employment opportunities to local communities.

Active community involvement can be a key characteristic especially of micro-hydro projects, such as

those supported by Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood (RERL) a joint program of UNDP and theWorld Bank with the Government of Nepal. RERLs main objective is to increase equitable access to

energy, social inclusion, and community mobilization. Some 350,000 people have derived energy access

benefits to date. (IRENA, 2012)

Renewables and Buildings

Buildings are a major energy user, but also offer tremendous potential for integrating renewable ener-gy solutions and improving energy efficiency, and thus reducing carbon emissions. Experience shows

that labor-intensive programs for green housing construction and for retrofitting old buildings could

generate large numbers of jobs (or render existing jobs more sustainable), both in construction and inmanufacturing of energy efficiency materials. Targeted investments in skill-building and upgrading,especially among small and medium-sized enterprises, are critical for success. (ILC, 2013) This is es-

pecially important in the rapidly swelling cities of the developing world.

Social housing programs can be a vehicle for change. In Brazil, Minha Casa Minha Vida(My House My

Life) was launched in 2009. It entails a number of environmental requirements, including the use ofsolar water heaters. The ILO expected that nearly 18,000 additional jobs could be created in the solar

installation industry. (Cardoso, 2011; ECLAC and ILO, 2010) Brazils budding solar thermal manufactur-

ing industry employs some 30,000 people (Alencar, 2013), part of a global industry that employs severalhundred thousand people. (IRENA, 2014)

In South Africa, the government initiated a 1 Million Solar Water Heaters Programme in 2008, to be

completed by 2014. The countrys SWH suppliers have expanded 20-fold between 1997 and 2011.

(Eskom, 2011) In Johannesburg, old city-center buildings were refurbished, upgrading some 2,700homes. Technologies introduced included solar energy systems, energy-efficient light bulbs, betterinsulated boilers and water tanks, as well as energy management systems to avoid use at peak-pricedtimes. The project has provided jobs for over 1,000 contractors. (ILO, 2012)

Agriculture and Forestry

Agriculture is not only one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, but also arguably the sector

most vulnerable to climate change. Alternative farming methods (reducing the reliance on fossil fuels,pursing integrated soil management, using water more efficiently, etc.) are key for cutting agricultures

1It should be noted that there is no uniformly-accepted threshold for what constitutes large and small hydro. Many NGOs regarda capacity of 10 megawatts as the proper dividing line, but some governments draw the line at 50 MW.


7/15


impacts and reducing the climate vulnerability of the worlds more than 1 billion farmers especially

smallholders in developing countries.

Employment information for greener farming is relatively sparse, but the potential is huge. Studies in

India and the United Kingdom indicate that in many cases low-impact agriculture employs more people

than conventional agriculture (although details depend on the type of farm and crops cultivated). Greenfarming enhances natural assets, reduces the risk of crop failure due to pests, disease and droughts,

and therefore reduces vulnerability. (ILO, 2012; UNEP, 2008) These are important characteristics in aclimate-stressed world and can help stabilize rural areas.

Modeling by the Millennium Institute (Herren et al., 2011) found that the transition to sustainable agri-culture could create over 200 million full-time jobs worldwide across the entire food production systemby 2050. The study included employment in farming, management and preservation of ecosystems,

research and development, and training of rural populations in the use of green farming techniques.

Even though low-carbon practices still occupy only a niche in global agriculture, experiences in a num-

ber of countries indicate the potential and the importance of combining social, economic, and environ-mental considerations. In 2010, Brazils Ministry of Agriculture created a program called ABC (Agricul-

tura de Baixo Carbono) to reduce carbon emissions by about 30% by 2020. It grants incentives, tech-

nical advice and other resources to some 900,000 farmers to help them adopt sustainable techniques.(ILO, 2012)

In Uganda, agriculture provides livelihoods for about 4.5 million smallholder farmers. The countrystarted a process of converting toward organic, low-carbon agriculture in 1994 and by 2003 had Afri-

cas largest organically-farmed land area. As of 2011, close to 188,000 farmers were organic-certified,

and their incomes had improved because they were able to charge higher prices. (ILC, 2013)

Co-operatives have played an important role in Uganda and elsewhere, empowering rural communities

in efforts to green agricultural practices, and improving their access to knowledge, inputs, and finance,as well as providing fair market access. (ILO, 2012) This has been the experience of the Oromia CoffeeFarmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU) in Ethiopia, which is benefitting more than 200,000 organic pro-

ducers. In Costa Rica and India, cooperatives have also become leaders in the production of carbon-neutral coffee. (ILC, 2013) In Ghana, the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Unions objectives are to empower

small-scale cocoa producers, enhance female participation in the decision-making process, and en-

courage environmentally sustainable production. From just 200 members in 1993, Kuapa Kokoo grewto represent about 65,000 farmers by 2012, of which more than a quarter were women. (FairtradeFoundation, 2010; Modern Ghana, 2012)

To enhance the resilience of agriculture in the face of climate change will require, among other things,

more drought-resistant crops. The choice of crops in a given region and their degree of labor-intensity will determine the effects on employment and livelihoods.

Another important aspect of a more climate-friendly agriculture is boosting the efficiency of water use

through more efficient irrigation systems (such as drip irrigation) and other methods. For example, theso-called system of rice intensification requires 2550% less water than is needed for conventionalrice paddies because fields are not flooded throughout the entire production cycle. It can increase

yields by at least 50%, and by substantially reducing or eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers, itreduces farmer costs. The technology has spread to more than 20 countries, including parts of China,

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. (Thakkar, 2005; Committee on Foreign Relations, 2011) The labor re-

quirements, relative to conventional methods, need closer study.


8/15


Agroforestry the process of planting integrated tree systems on agricultural land in order to diversifyand increase the productivity of the land offers a multitude of environmental benefits, including wa-tershed protection, enhanced biodiversity, and improved soil quality. Many large agroforestry projects

have been developed in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Sustainable forest management combining sustainable harvesting methods with effective regenera-

tion preserves the productive capacity of forests and can sequester and store large amounts of car-bon. ILO (2012) offers a rough estimate of more than 2 million current green forestry jobs, equivalent to

about 16% of all formal-sector forestry jobs. Most are in Europe and North America. Especially in Asia,

there is a strong need for different practices. Community forestry practices in Nepal (in which one thirdof the population participates, and which combines conservation with livelihood improvement) providean alternative model. (Ojha et al., 2009) Some studies (Nair and Rutt, 2009) conclude that several mil-

lions of additional jobs worldwide could be created in sustainable forestry with proper sustained in-

vestment, especially in afforestation, reforestation, and desertification control.

Environmental Restoration

A number of large-scale public works programs have been initiated in countries like India, South Afri-

ca, and Ethiopia, drawing close links among conservation and restoration of critical natural resources,

employment, and social protection and stability. (ILC, 2013) Both the successes and failures of suchprograms provide important lessons.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in India combines in-vestment in rehabilitating natural resources with poverty reduction efforts. MGNREGA offers at least

100 days of guaranteed wage employment per year to every rural household in soil and water conser-

vation, reforestation, drought-proofing, flood protection, and small-scale irrigation. (ILO, 2012) In2012/13, the program provided work to 50 million rural households at a cost of $8.9 billion, up from 21million beneficiary households in 2006/07. However, implementation has been uneven, depending on

local capacity and commitment. (ESID, 2013) Critics note that one of MGNREGAs most important pro-visions community-driven planning and prioritization of local needs has not been pursued seri-ously, and many water conservation structures have not been completed. (Mahapatra et al., 2011) Also,

the emphasis on creating as many unskilled positions as possible means that MGNREGA is not con-tributing to skill-building. (MGNREGA, undated)

In South Africa, the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) entails a number of environmentalprograms, which were intended to provide work opportunities for 200,000 people, primarily marginal-ized women and youth. (ETU, undated) These efforts are known as Working for programs. By 2012,

they generated close to 24,000 FTE jobs, a number projected to rise to more than 230,000 by 2025.

(Preston, 2014) For instance, Working for Water is meant to improve water management through

removal of invasive forms of vegetation, and has so far provided jobs and training to about 20,000 peo-ple per year. (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2014) Working for Wetlands has rehabilitated 906wetlands with an area of more than 70,000 hectares, providing 12,848 employment opportunities and168,400 days of skills training as of 2013. (Working for Wetlands, 2013)

Finally, in Ethiopia, the 2005 Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) is aimed at enabling the ruralpoor to become more resilient in the face of food insecurity. Members of PSNP households participate

in activities like rehabilitating land and water resources and developing community infrastructure. In2012, PSNP had 7.64 million participants. (WFP, 2012) The program provides transfers over multiple

years in the form of food or cash (or a combination of both). (ILC, 2013) Assessments also indicate that


9/15


PSNP has provided participating families with improved food security, increased asset creation and

protection, better educational and health services, and improved agricultural productivity. (WFP, 2012)

Environmental restoration will also require measures that, at least for some time, halt the exploitation

of over-stressed natural resources such as forests and fisheries. Experiences in countries like Brazil,

China, and Norway indicate ways in which the social pain of such measures can be minimized, thusbuilding support for policies which otherwise might draw strong opposition. This can be instructive with

regard to policies undertaken in the name of climate protection.

When China imposed a ban on logging on 73 million hectares of natural forests (equivalent to 69 per

cent of the countrys total natural forest area), almost 1 million workers lost their jobs. Some 90% ofthem received help through income replacement, re-employment, training, and other assistance. Af-forestation, forest protection, rural infrastructure and public construction projects played an important

role in providing new livelihoods. (ILC, 2013)

Brazils Bolsa Verde program compensates poor families that are affected by policies to reduce de-

forestation. The program provides cash transfers of US$120 every three months, during a 2-year peri-od, conditioned on families commitments to maintain forest cover and engage in sustainable produc-

tion activities. It is part of a broader strategy for poverty eradication, supplementing the national Fome

Zero (Zero Hunger) and Bolsa Famlia(Family Allowance) programs which provide income support topoor households. From 3,286 in late 2011, the number of families included in Bolsa Verde rose to69,126 by late 2014. Priority is given to women, who represent 88 percent of beneficiaries. (Muchagata,

2014) There are plans to extend the coverage to 300,000 families and to encompass a broader range ofmeasures, such as clean energy use. (Government of Brazil, undated)

In the fisheries sector, as many as 45 million jobs worldwide are at risk from overfishing. Norway setup a special program to deal with the cod crisis of 1989-90, when drastic cuts to the allowable fishcatch were made so as to allow the fisheries to recover. This included temporary payments to fishers,

retraining assistance, and investments in aquaculture and fish processing to create new employmentopportunities. (Hersoug, 2006)

In Brazil, artisanal fishers are entitled to unemployment insurance during a closed period, duringwhich fishing activity is prohibited to allow fish to reproduce. Compensation is paid equivalent to a

monthly minimum wage. In 2010, the Brazilian government paid about $400 million in unemployment

insurance to 437,400 fishers. (ILC, 2013)

Implications and Recommendations for Climate Diplomacy

Traditional foreign policy-making needs to be increasingly infused with climate diplomacy. Climatediplomacy, such as it has been practiced to date, has centered on the negotiations process in the con-

text of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Given climate security concerns, discus-sions have also taken place in other venues such as the UN Security Council, and there have been in-

creasingly active regional-level efforts, as detailed by Adrizola et al. (2013). Equally important areinitiatives to share climate-related innovations, and to support efforts to identify, replicate and scale-upbest practices and experiences from across the world.

In particular, climate diplomacy needs to integrate the emerging lessons from the green jobs debate.While alternative technologies and practices are important, the way in which they impact jobs and live-

lihoods is critical. People and their communities need to have a solid stake in the transformation to a


10/15


climate-friendly economy. This entails having an active voice in decision-making processes (a rights-

based approach), being assured of tangible social and economic benefits flowing from a pro-activeclimate policy, and being secure in the knowledge that disruptive socio-economic consequences ofclimate policy will be minimized to the extent possible.

A climate diplomacy that integrates a green jobs strategy can help create a favorable framework.Functionally, one might distinguish various types of activity, such as advisory services; programmatic

efforts; financial support; and coordination in the context of bilateral and multilateral partnerships. Thefollowing offers a number of policy recommendations for European governments, along with examples

of current initiatives:

Promote cooperative green technology development and provision of technical expertise

,especially in regions that are left behind by market dynamics. For example, the European Com-

mission and EU member states support the Climate Technology Centre and Network, which was

established in 2013 and provides technical assistance to developing countries interested in thetransfer of climate-related technologies. (CTCN, undated).

upport local green business incubation.

For instance, a network of Climate Innovation Cen-

ters has been set up by the World Banks infoDev Climate Technology Program (with donor

country support), with the intent to help countries benefit from more pro-active participation inthe ongoing global clean technology revolution, leading to economic gain and job creation, whilereducing emissions. Centers have been launched in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana, Mo-

rocco, the Caribbean, Vietnam, and India. (infoDev, undated)

Facil itate the creation of local or national climate innovation clusters.

Clusters bundle local

or regional expertise, stimulate information sharing and the cross-pollination of ideas, and helpmobilise a regions innovative potential. These might draw on the experience of existing renewa-ble energy clusters, such as Frances Industrie et Agro Ressources in Champagne-Ardennes /

Picardie, the Renewable Energy Hamburg Cluster Agency in Germany, or ClusterGEO (Clusteron Geothermal and Renewable Energies) in Michoacn, Mexico. (IRENA, 2013)

Organize thematic workshops and consultat ions with international part icipation.

Beyondcooperation that focuses purely on technical dimensions, climate diplomacy should also more

broadly facilitate the sharing and replicating of best practices and lessons learned international-

ly (including policy advice on suitable policy frameworks). This might be done in the context of al-ready active regional-level efforts, as detailed by adelphi (2014).

Assist green jobs skill-building efforts

in countries where technical and/or business skills are

lagging. This could entail individual programs and workshops or more institutional efforts. An

institutional example is the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC),which is to deliver specialized training mostly for wind and solar jobs. SARETEC is being set upwith support from Germanys GIZ. (SARETEC, undated)

Offer support for UN and other international agencies active in the promotion of green

jobs.

This could be done either in conjunction with individual agencies such as ILO, UNEP,UNDP, FAO, UNIDO, and IRENA, or via collaborative efforts such as the newly-launched PAGE

(Partnership for Action on Green Economy). Under PAGE, four UN agencies (UNEP, UNIDO, UNI-TAR, and ILO) join to provide services and advice in 30 countries with regard to building green

economy strategies and generating green jobs and skills. (UNEP, et al., 2014)


11/15


Boost f inancing for promising green jobs programs and similar init iat ives

(including micro-

credit programs like that in support of Bangladeshs SHS installation, or public works initiativessuch as EPWP or PSPN). An example of an EU-initiated effort is the Global Energy Efficiency andRenewable Energy Fund (GEEREF), which seeks to mobilise private investment in small-scale

projects in developing countries and economies in transition.

There is an increasingly mature market for climate-friendly technologies. However, market develop-

ment alone is not sufficient in many areas where poor and vulnerable populations live. It is important tosupport the development of viable small and medium-sized enterprises, microcredit-financed efforts,

as well as cooperatives and other community-led projects, which can form the backbone for viable

local value chains and provide a strong local anchor for sustainable livelihoods.

A climate diplomacy that includes a strong green jobs component will need cross-cutting support on

the national and international governmental levels, engaging the expertise and policy competencies of

agencies and ministries from the fields of foreign, environmental, economic, technology development,and development cooperation policy.

Climate negotiations have floundered because needed emissions cuts are typically seen as imposing

economic pain. A green jobs focus, on the other hand, emphasizes economic benefits, and can gener-

ate win-win outcomes. Policies that aim to maximize such gains for all concerned can be an importantingredient in achieving the envisaged climate agreement in 2015.


12/15


References

Action Aid Tanzania, 2009.Implication of Biofuels Production on Food Security in Tanzania, Dar esSalaam.

adelphi, 2014. New Paths for Climate Diplomacy. Berlin.

Alencar, C.A., 2013. "Solar Heating & Cooling Market in Brazil," presentation at Intersolar, September2013, at: http://solarthermalworld.org/sites/gstec/files/news/file/2013-11-06/dasol_presentation_at_intersolar_2013.pdf.

Arndt, C., K. Pauw, and J. Thurlow, 2010. Biofuels and Economic Development in Tanzania, IFPRI Dis-

cussion Paper 00966, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC.

Barua, D., 2014. Financial and Social Benefits of Building Energy Lending Program. Bangladesh Suc-cess Story, Zayed Future Energy Prize presentation, Abu Dhabi, 20 January, at

www.slideshare.net/bgef/abu-dhabi-zefp-stand-presentation-jan-2014-2013.

Bergius, M., 2012. Large scale Agro Investments for Biofuel Production in Tanzania: Impact on Rural

Households, Institute of Development Studies, University of Agder.

Bimesdoerfer, K., Kantz, C. and Siegel, J. R., 2011. Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Driving Green

Jobs through Creating a Rural Renewable Energy Systems Industry, paper presented at UNRISD Con-ference on Green Economy and Sustainable Development. Geneva

Cardoso, F. 2011.Brazil: New Requirements for Solar Installations On Social Housing, Global SolarThermal Energy Council, at http://solarthermalworld.org/content/brazil-new-requirements-solar-

installations-social-housing.

CTCN (Climate Technology Centre and Network), undated. Website athttp://unep.org/climatechange/ctcn/.

Committee on Foreign Relations [United States], 2011. Avoiding Water Wars: Water Scarcity and Cen-tral Asias Growing Importance for Stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Majority Staff Report prepared

for the Committee on Foreign Relations, US Senate. Washington, DC, 22 February.

Department of Environmental Affairs [South Africa], 2014. About Working for Water,

www.environment.gov.za/projectsprogrammes/wfw/about.

ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) and International Labour Organi-zation (ILO), 2010. The Employment Situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, in ECLAC/ILO Bul-

letin No. 4, December.

ESID (Effective States and Inclusive Development Research Centre), 2013. Success and failure inMGNREGA implementation in India, Briefing No. 1. Manchester, UK, at www.effective-states.org/_assets/documents/esid_bp_1_NREGA.pdf.

Eskom, 2011. Solar Water Heating Rebate Programme. COP17 Fact Sheet, atwww.eskom.co.za/content/The%20Solar%20Water%20Heating%20(SWH)%20Programme.pdf.


13/15


14/15


Mdemu, M., 2011. Impact of Biofuel Investment in Kisarawe District, Action Aid Tanzania, Dar es Sa-

laam.

MGNREGA, undated. Criticisms, at www.mgnrega.co.in/criticisms.htm.

Modern Ghana, 2012. How Fairtrade benefits Cocoa Farmers the Kuapa Kokoo Experience, 23 No-

vember, at www.modernghana.com/news/432146/1/how-fairtrade-benefits-cocoa-farmers-the-kuapa-kok.html.

Muchagata, M. 2014. Taking inclusiveness as the starting point for green growth: Brazil s Bolsa Verde

Programme, presentation at OECD Forum on Green Growth and Sustainable Development, Paris, 13

November 2014, available at http://www.oecd.org/greengrowth/ggsd-2014.htm.

Nair, C.T.S. and Rutt, R., 2009. Creating Forestry Jobs to Boost the Economy and Build a Green Fu-

ture, in Unasylva, Vol. 233, No. 60, pp. 310, at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/012/i1025e/i1025e02.pdf.

Ohja, H. Persha, L., and Chhatre, A., 2009. Community Forestry in Nepal. A Policy Innovation for Local

Livelihoods, IFPRI Discussion Paper 00913. International Food Policy Research Institute. November.

Preston, G., 2014. South Africas Working for Programmes, presentation at OECD Forum on Green

Growth and Sustainable Development, Paris, 13 November 2014, available athttp://www.oecd.org/greengrowth/ggsd-2014.htm.

SARETEC, undated. Website at http://www.saretec.co.za/about.html.

Small Hydropower World, 2014, at www.smallhydroworld.org.

Strietska-Ilina, O., et al., 2011. Skills for Green Jobs: A Global View, Synthesis Report based on 21Country Studies. Geneva: International Labour Organization.

Thakkar, H., 2005. More Rice for Less Water, InfoChange News & Features, June,www.infochangeindia. org/20050602206/Agriculture/Features/More-rice-for-less-water. Html.

UNDESA (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs), 2011. World Economic and Social Survey

2011. The Great Green Technological Transformation. New York.

UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), 2008. Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sus-tainable, Low-Carbon World. Nairobi.

UNEP, ILO, UNIDO, and UNITAR, 2014. Partnership for Action on Green Economy, at

www.unep.org/greeneconomy/Portals/88/documents/PAGE/PAGE%20Brochure%20low%20res.pdf.

WFP (World Food Programme), 2012. Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), Factsheet, Septem-ber, at www.wfp.org/sites/default/files/PSNP%20Factsheet.pdf.

Working for Wetlands, 2013. The Working for Wetlands Programme, http://wetlands.sanbi.org.


15/15


Legal Notice

Published by Author: Michael Renner, Wordwatch Institute

adelphiCaspar-They-Strae 14a Design: Steffen Kalauch

14193 Berlin Gregor Grttner, adelphi

Germany

T: + 49 30 89 000 68-0

F: + 49 30 89 000 68-10

E: [email protected]

I: www.adelphi.de

This project is supported by a grant from the German Federal Foreign Office.

green jobs & climate diplomacy

Documents