Green jobs
FAO estimates that greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry and fisheries have nearly doubled over the past 50 years. Without significant efforts to reduce them, they could increase an additional 30 percent by 2050.
To respond effectively to climate and environmental stresses, the global agriculture sector needs a shift toward sustainable agrifood systems that leave no one behind. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the transition to a green economy is projected to generate over 24 million full-time jobs by 2050. For these jobs to be considered green, as defined by the ILO, they must be decent jobs that contribute to preserve or restore the environment by improving energy and raw materials efficiency, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing waste and pollution, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and supporting the adaptation to the effects of climate change.
The creation of green jobs in agriculture has the potential to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits through techniques that include agroforestry, agroecology, climate-smart agriculture, and bioenergy, among others. These emerging techniques provide opportunities for rural communities to contribute to the transition to a just and green economy.
The role of FAO
FAO aims to foster sustainable agrifood systems that will generate more green jobs and decent work opportunities for rural communities across all agriculture subsectors, including horticulture, fisheries, forestry and livestock production. The Organization is working towards:
- Strengthening understanding and awareness on decent employment prospects for rural workers in the context of sustainable agrifood systems and circular bioeconomy. FAO collects and disseminates knowledge on green and socially acceptable practices to improve natural resources management as well as health and working conditions for rural workers.
- Promoting the adoption of green practices, including nature-based solutions, in agriculture and developing trainings for rural populations in the use of green agricultural technologies. FAO produces specialized capacity development materials on organic farming, agroecology, bioeconomy and conservation agriculture.
- Supporting and facilitating the creation of green jobs in the agrifood sector through wage employment initiatives and entrepreneurship programmes for women and men.
- Assisting governments in developing innovative policy solutions that encourage sustainable and more productive practices in agriculture. An increase in green jobs could foster opportunities in: more employment-intensive green technologies; management and preservation of ecosystems; and green and sustainable agricultural research and extension services.
Related projects
Videos
Green jobs
From mining to organic agriculture: creating green jobs for rural youth in Sierra Leone
16/02/2024
The Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment (GJ4RYE) project promotes green jobs through skills training in land reclamation, organic horticulture, and...
News
Green jobs
Strengthening rural youth employment through green jobs in Zimbabwe
19/06/2024
Harare – FAO, South Korea and the Government hold learning event for Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment project under the theme "Youth in agrifood...
Featured publications
Strengthening rural economies through green jobs in agriculture
12/04/2023
Sixty-five percent of the population in the least developed countries lives in rural settings and largely depends on agriculture to earn a living. Rural areas are crucial for creating a sustainable future, yet face rapid population growth, increasing youth unemployment, food insecurity and the impacts of climate change which hinder their potential to contribute to a just and green transition. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of decent and sustainable employment opportunities for rural communities. FAO works to provide soft and sector-specific training to increase the employability of rural youth, while trying to identify the most promising value chains for green development which include sustainable poultry production, insect rearing for livestock and fish feed, organic horticulture, forestry and apiculture.
Green jobs for rural youth
27/06/2022
While agriculture remains the largest employer in the world, it is a sector that is highly hazardous and often associated with working poverty and vulnerable employment. Agriculture is also the largest user of water and the number one driver of environmental degradation. However, there is enormous potential to turn this situation around and adopt agricultural practices that contribute to sustainability and improved livelihoods. Green jobs can support this shift and provide innovative solutions to address many global issues such as rural poverty, unemployment, climate change, and food insecurity, lifting millions of workers out of poverty and promoting social inclusion. FAO promotes green jobs for youth in agrifood systems through education and training, innovative sustainable technologies, and policy support.