A recently released study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) claims that the transition to a net-zero emissions economy could create millions of new jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.
The report is “the first of its kind to highlight how shifting to healthier and more sustainable diets, which reduce meat and dairy consumption while increasing plant-based foods, would create jobs and reduce pressure on the region’s unique biodiversity.”
As per the study, the transition to a net-zero carbon economy would eliminate 7.5 million jobs in fossil fuel electricity, fossil fuel extraction, and animal-based food production. However, these lost jobs are more than compensated for new employment opportunities. 22.5 million jobs are created in agriculture and plant-based food production, renewable electricity, forestry, construction, and manufacturing.
With this shift, the agri-food sector in Latin America and the Caribbean could expand the creation of 19 million full-time equivalent jobs despite 4.3 million fewer jobs in livestock, poultry, dairy, and fishing.
Moreover, the report offers a blueprint on how countries can create decent jobs and transition to net-zero emissions. This includes policies facilitating the reallocation of workers, advancement in decent work in rural areas, offering new business plans, enhancing social protection and support to displaced enterprises, communities, and workers.
Social dialogue between the private sector, trade unions, and governments is essential to design long-term strategies to achieve net-zero emissions, which creates jobs, helps to reduce inequality, and delivers on the Sustainable Development Goals.
As noted by the International Labour Organization, to support a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the region urgently needs to create these jobs to build a more sustainable future.
You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg
