Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2024 Unlocking jobs through investment in skills and nature-based infrastructure

The report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights the potential of nature-based solutions (NbS) to create up to 32 million new jobs by 2030. It emphasizes the need for increased investment in NbS, which currently employs over 60 million people globally.

Key points from the report include:

• Opportunities and Challenges: NbS jobs require interdisciplinary skills and just transition policies to ensure decent work and equitable benefits.
• Barriers: Lack of awareness, data, skills, and access to capital, especially in low-income regions, along with the temporary and informal nature of NbS jobs and climate-related heat stress.
• Recommendations: Strengthen national NbS policies, invest in skills development, promote rights and inclusivity, and enhance research and data collection.

A complementary UNEP policy brief explores NbS' role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, highlighting their potential to address conflict drivers and promote stability.

The report was launched during COP 16 to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 7, 2024.