BACKGROUND

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the complex economic and social reality is exacerbated by the increasing recurrence of disasters, which has led to a prolonged crisis that hinders both recovery and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In fact, this region is the second most vulnerable in the world to climate change-related disasters, disproportionately affecting low-income populations and deepening existing inequalities.

According to the 2024 Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean by ECLAC, climate change could have severe consequences for economic growth and employment in the region if resilient policies are not properly designed. In the absence of compensatory policies, the impact of climate change on employment is projected to result in the loss of around 43 million jobs by 2050—approximately 10% of the labour force (ECLAC, 2024). 

The promotion of green jobs with labour inclusion can play a key role, contributing to enhanced environmental sustainability in the region and supporting and protecting workers during transitions to new occupations and opportunities. This will require a strong link between social protection and labour inclusion policies, such as training schemes, education, technical and vocational training, and job placement services, among others.

Objective:

The objective of this side event is to analyze the challenges and opportunities related to the promotion of green jobs and aligned inclusion policies in Latin America and the Caribbean in the face of emerging risks associated with climate change and complex emergencies. The event aims to identify strategies to strengthen resilient labour inclusion and social protection in unequal societies.

This event is part of the activities of the United Nations Development Account project, “Labour inclusion to address climate change and its impacts on the future of work in Latin America and the Caribbean,” and the ECLAC-BMZ/GIZ project “Productive, Ecological, and Socially Just Economic Transformation (Witra)”.

16:30-16:35 Welcome remarks

Andrés Espejo, Economic Affairs Officer, ECLAC.

16:35-17:05 Presentation: “Green Jobs and Social Protection: Keys to a Productive, Ecological, and Socially Just Economic Transformation”

Jürgen Weller, Consultant, ECLAC

17:05-17:50 Comments

• Verónica López, Vice Minister of Labour, Paraguay
• Guillermo Montt, Social Protection Specialist for the Southern Cone of Latin America, ILO
• María Claudia Camacho, Chief of the Labour and Employment Section, Department of Human Development, Education and Employment, OAS

17:50-18:00 Questions and final comments