How to create jobs by tackling climate change

The authors contend that climate action is a catalyst for job creation rather than a hindrance to economic growth. They highlight significant employment gains in the renewable energy sectors of the US and China, and showcase national programs in South Africa, India, and Brazil that link environmental resilience with livelihood security. While acknowledging inevitable job losses in carbon-intensive industries, the text asserts that these can be offset by growth in the green economy, provided governments invest in retraining. The document warns that inaction and rising global temperatures will undermine productivity and destroy existing jobs through extreme weather events.

• Renewable energy and energy efficiency are driving significant job growth in the United States and China. In the US, 1.2 million "clean" jobs were added since January, with solar industry employment rising by over 115% and energy efficiency jobs increasing by over 50%. China's renewable-energy sector employs more than 1.7 million people, with the potential for seven million more if wind, solar, and hydropower targets are met.
• National initiatives in the Global South demonstrate that combining climate adaptation with social inclusion creates employment. South Africa's Expanded Public Works Program generated one million opportunities in its first five-year phase, focusing on renewable energy and forest and wetland rehabilitation. India's Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act provides guaranteed wage employment for projects like reforestation and soil conservation. Brazil's Bolsa Verde program provides monthly payments of $35 to poor families for conservation work in nature reserves.
• Climate inaction poses a direct threat to global economic productivity and existing employment. The International Labor Organization estimates that continued growth of CO2 emissions could reduce worldwide productivity by more than 7% on average. Furthermore, extreme weather events cause immediate job losses, such as 40,000 jobs lost following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the disruption of over 560,000 jobs after Cyclone Sidr in 2007.
• A "just transition" to a climate-neutral economy is feasible because the most polluting industries employ a small fraction of the workforce. The seven industries responsible for 80% of CO2 emissions employ only 10% of the labour force, meaning low-carbon job growth can compensate for losses, provided governments implement retraining and skills development.

APA

Figueres, C., & Ryder, G. (2014). How to create jobs by tackling climate change. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/climate-change-unemployment-clean-jobs/

Chicago

Figueres, Christiana, and Guy Ryder. How to create jobs by tackling climate change. World Economic Forum, 2014. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/climate-change-unemployment-clean-jobs/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Figueres |first1=Christiana |last2=Ryder |first2=Guy |title=How to create jobs by tackling climate change |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=23 September 2014 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/climate-change-unemployment-clean-jobs/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{figueres2014how, author = {Figueres, Christiana and Ryder, Guy}, title = {{How to create jobs by tackling climate change}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2014}, month = sep, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/climate-change-unemployment-clean-jobs/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }