The global economic system has produced numerous financial, economic, social and environmental crises and their negative repercussions on unemployment, poverty and the depletion of natural resources, which prompted governments and regional and international organizations to reconsider existing systems and call for a transition towards the green economy, which the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines as: "an economy that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. It is characterized by low carbon emissions, resource efficiency, and social inclusiveness,"
By relying on the current economy, which is the economy that depends on fossil fuels and their derivatives in production, many countries are reaping the consequences of the unsustainable approach that has led to the depletion of resources and the creation of injustices, inequality and social marginalization. With the increasing pressures on the environment as a result of the various commitments and activities serving this economy, the concept of the green economy began to emerge, which means achieving growth and sustainable development without disrupting the ecosystem, as well as providing assistance and grants to poor countries in order to advance education, health and infrastructure, thereby achieving justice and equality in development.
There are many factors that need to be in place to facilitate the transition to the green economy. To create an enabling environment for this transition, current national laws, policies, subsidies and incentives must be readjusted, in addition to providing markets and international legislative infrastructure and special trade and aid laws and protocols. To transition to the green economy, programs must be implemented to support and build the capacities required by the jobs resulting from this type of economy.
The transition or shift to the green economy is not a top-down decision, but rather a long, arduous process and an intensive effort by all parties from the top to the bottom, through which the concept of the green economy is incorporated into national policies and legislation, infrastructure is developed, and it is also integrated into educational programs, in addition to training and awareness and educational plans. To achieve this end, partnership between the public and private sectors and cooperation with civil society must be achieved.
Skills development programs are of great importance to facilitate the process of transitioning to the green economy, especially since studies and experience have proven the existence of a gap regarding the supply and demand for green skills in the labor market, which would impede this transition process. We refer here in particular to the various skills in renewable energy technology and the various resource management professions that fall within many sectors, most notably green architecture, urban planning, sustainable transport, waste management and recycling, sustainable agriculture, transport, tourism, recreation and financing activities.
Through this activity, the Organization seeks to contribute to advancing green jobs, which the International Labour Organization defines as "decent work that would reduce the impact of the activities of companies and economic sectors on the environment and reduce it to sustainable levels, or work that includes jobs that preserve and rehabilitate the environment, and establish a carbon-free economy that works to avoid producing all forms of waste and pollution in general."
