We must make the most of “green” job opportunities, says EU
The EU has outlined a plan to maximise job opportunities in environment-friendly sectors and support workers as the economy becomes “greener”.
“Green” jobs - involving working with information, technologies or materials that help the environment - are among the fastest growing in Europe.
They include jobs in:
recycling
biodiversity
insulation to increase energy efficiency
improving air quality
renewable energy technologies.
Even during the recession, the number of jobs in these areas grew by 20%. The EU has identified the economic shift towards these sectors as key to achieving sustainable growth.
It estimates that 20m jobs could be created in the green economy between now and 2020.
Supporting green employment
Greening the economy will involve creating new types of job and transforming existing ones. Workers with specialised skills, knowledge and training will be needed.
The EU's plan to support job creation in green sectors, and to help workers as jobs change, includes
anticipating the skills and knowledge that will be needed in these areas and helping workers acquire them
shifting the weight of tax away from labour and towards pollution
encouraging discussions between employers and trade unions to make sure workers are supported
improving the international sharing of knowledge about the growth of green sectors
providing guidance for small businesses to help them cope with the transition, comply with environmental regulations and anticipate skills shortages.
The green economy
In response to climate change and the global scarcity of resources, the green economy is defined by technological innovation, the emergence of new markets and changes in consumer and industrial demand.
The EU views the transition to a green economy as vital: inefficient use of resources and unsustainable pressure on the environment pose challenges to long-term economic growth.
Growing demand in emerging economies means that the prices of resources, raw materials and energy will inevitably rise. Europe's economy needs to become more responsive to such changes.
The plan, which has been put forward by the European Commission, will now be submitted to the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament to endorse.
Maximising job opportunities in the green economy - press release