Context: Recently, in an event to mark World Environment Day recently, Prime Minister mentioned India’s efforts to create ‘green jobs’ to combat climate change.

About Green Jobs

• It refers to a class of jobs that directly have a positive impact on the planet, and contribute to the overall environmental welfare.
• Aim- to reduce the negative environmental impact of economic sectors and furthering the process of creating a low-carbon economy. 
• Jobs involving renewable energy, conservation of resources, ensuring energy efficient means are categorised under the same.

India and green jobs

• The Skill Council for Green Jobs was launched by the Union government on October 1, 2015. 
• The council aims to help manufacturers and other service providers in India’s ‘green business’ sector to implement industry-led, collaborative skills push the country.
• It was set up to be a not-for-profit, independent, industry-led initiative which is aligned to the National Skill Development Missions.
• It was promoted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• The awareness and training individuals regarding green jobs skills will ensure limiting greenhouse gas emissions, minimising waste and pollution, protect and restore ecosystems, support adaptation to the effects of climate change.

Scenario across the world

• According to the United Nations Environment Programme's 2019 Emissions Gap report, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 7.6% per year between 2020 and 2030 is essential.
• 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 was launched by the International Labour Organisation, the International Trade Union Confederation, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Employers Organisation in 2008.
• Aim: To promote better placements, training and creating opportunities for individuals to work in ‘green jobs.*

Road Ahead

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.

By: Shubham Tiwari