Green-collar workers
UNEP and the International Labour Organization (ILO) define ‘green-collar’ workers based on their employment in the Environmental Goods and Service Sector (EGSS) , (UNEP et al., 2008). Employees in the environmental sector are defined as ‘persons who, during a set reference period, were employed ... in the production of environmental goods and services’ (ILO, 2013a, p. 18).
In an early report published in the context of this initiative, UNEP defined green jobs as ‘those that contribute appreciably to maintaining or restoring environmental quality and avoiding future damage to the Earth’s ecosystems’ (UNEP et al., 2008, p. 35). For example, green jobs reduce the consumption of materials and energy, support decarbonisation processes, reduce waste and pollution, or restore biodiversity.
Therefore, green jobs are categorised as jobs in several sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, and scientific and technical, administrative, and service-related activities) that ‘[…] contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality’ (UNEP, 2008, p. 36). This includes but is not limited to improving energy and material efficiency, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, minimising waste generation and pollution, restoring ecosystems or adapting to climate change (ILO, 2016).
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