EU Green Week 2017 has put a significant emphasis on the role of the green economy, saying “we need to do more” to stop the stagnation of green jobs.
The green economy has been booming since 2000, creating 4.2 million jobs even during recession years.
However, recent evidence has shown that the growth of green jobs is stagnating, and that the economy needs to do more with climate and circular economy goals in mind.
The EU’s eco-industry has a current annual turnover of around €700 billion (£610 billion), equivalent to 2.1 per cent of Europe’s GDP, and is a world leader in the global market, a market which is expected to triple by 2030.
Other figures show that resource efficiency polices enhance growth, as a one percentage point reduction in material use in Europe would be worth up to €23 billion (£20 billion) to businesses, and would create between 100,000 and 200,000 new jobs.
Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, said: “It’s not about white collar or blue collar jobs, it’s about moving to green collar. It’s about greening existing professions, getting the green know-how to people who already have the skills, but lack that particular knowledge that will make all the difference. We need to find ways of making green the new normal, and initiatives under the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and the Skills Agenda will help.”
Boosting green growth and jobs were the hot topics of EU Green Week in Brussels, and participants heard about green jobs that are already up and running, as well as learning about current skills gaps that need to be filled as the green transition moves forward.
During the event in Brussels, a coalition of social partners issued a joint statement stressing that the move towards a circular economy and more resource-efficient practices and processes requires a workforce with the necessary skills, knowledges, and competences.
With events that took place throughout Europe, EU Green Week highlighted how the green transition to a circular economy means net employment gains.
This transition will mean new opportunities will be seen in renewable energy, recycling and waste management, organic farming, sustainable transport, the water sector, and the maritime sector.
However, skills gaps and shortages, especially in small and medium sized enterprises, must be addressed, meaning training needs to be adapted are forecasting future skills must be improved.
Green Week 2017 also demonstrated how EU policies such as carbon cutting targets and growth in recycling can lead the way in sustainability.
Meanwhile, the EU Ecolabel celebrated 25 years of existence at Green Week.
The Ecolabel rewards innovative products and concepts which are sustainable, low carbon, and are integral to the circular economy.
