Creating Green Jobs in Developing Countries
This rapid literature review examines evidence on interventions have been used to create green jobs in developing countries
Abstract
This rapid literature review examines evidence on interventions have been used to create green jobs in developing countries. The 鈥榞reen jobs鈥� concept does not have a singular and universally accepted definition. Many development organisations have come up with their own definitions, however all definitions share both an 鈥渆nvironmental鈥� and 鈥渄ecent jobs鈥� component. Green job growth has been mostly documented in developed countries and some rapidly growing middle-income countries. However, it is becoming clearer that a green economy can create more and better jobs in all parts of the world (including the poorer developing countries) 鈥� and that these jobs can be 鈥榙ecent鈥�. There are, however, some difficulties. Some new (green) jobs created in the food, agriculture, and recycling sectors (particularly in developing countries) can hardly be considered 鈥榙ecent鈥� 鈥� i.e., due to their poor labour standards. In some cases, climate change is also having a negative impact on jobs. Donors have a crucial role to play in supporting and financing green jobs initiatives and 鈥榞reen employment鈥� across developing countries 鈥� given the inadequate investment in the sector, growing unemployment issues and their unique vulnerability to climate change. Nevertheless, the 鈥榞reen jobs鈥� sector 鈥� thus far 鈥� has only been able to receive limited financial assistance from donors. Lack of focus and funding by donors and development agencies not only stymies the creation of green jobs in developing countries, but it can also result in the loss of many existing jobs and livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, because of climate change. Furthermore, the funding for most green jobs programmes by donors usually tends to be project-based, which fails to be part of a larger strategy to promote sustainable development 鈥� thus, limiting its impact. However, it is worth noting that there is relatively limited donor programming on 鈥榞reen jobs鈥� 鈥� i.e., most donor funded jobs creation programmes are not explicitly 鈥榞reen鈥�. Another poignant observation is the general lack of proper programme evaluation, especially independent evaluation, on donor interventions around 鈥榞reen jobs鈥� (which are usually small projects). As such, there is a lack of good evidence base.
This report was prepared for the UK Government鈥檚 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and its partners in support of pro-poor programmes
Citation
Megersa, K. (2021). Creating Green Jobs in Developing Countries. K4D Helpdesk Report 987. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies. DOI: 10.19088/K4D.2021.054