Climate action creates millions of jobs
Without trained skilled workers, the 1.5-degree climate target will slip out of reach. Together with partners from politics, business and the academic and research community, GIZ therefore launched a new global initiative at the UN Climate Change Conference.
Harnessing climate action as an opportunity – this is the objective of the Global Initiative on Jobs & Skills for the New Economy. The Initiative was launched at COP30 in Belém by representatives of governments, business, civil society and philanthropy; GIZ is a founding member and has been involved in preparing the initiative since 2023. COP30 Executive Director Ana Toni said at the launch: ‘Here in Belém, we must show that climate action is not only about emissions and technologies, but about people and their future.’
The initiative shows how the world of work can and must prepare for a climate-neutral and digital future. Without appropriate vocational training, there could be a shortage of six million skilled workers worldwide in the renewable energy sector alone by 2030 – including engineers, tradespeople and teaching staff. The result: a 12 per cent increase in emissions in the energy sector, putting the 1.5-degree target out of reach. This is the challenge.
The opportunity, on the other hand, is that if governments and businesses push ahead resolutely with the transition to a climate-friendly society and economy, as many as 375 million additional jobs could be created worldwide by 2030. This finding is confirmed by a Flagship Report, which was supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN), the International Climate Initiative (IKI), GIZ and international partners.
Companies benefit from trained skilled workers
The Global Initiative therefore focuses on the skills transition that is becoming necessary as a result of technological and demographic shifts, geopolitics and climate change. GIZ Managing Director Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven emphasised: ‘The transition is centred on people and can thus deliver a triple dividend: stronger, more resilient economies, improved social cohesion and faster progress on environmental goals. It is important to bring together various actors from the spheres of business, academia and research, education and politics. This is what the Global Initiative can achieve.’
At present, not even half of all national climate plans incorporate training strategies that prepare people for the green economy of the future. It is therefore essential to develop initial and continuing training programmes and to advise on political reforms that facilitate investment in green jobs and skills development. This approach also benefits German companies – they benefit when green technology is in demand abroad and they need trained skilled workers at their locations worldwide.
Change is an economic necessity
The German Government has supported the new initiative since its inception. As Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the German Environment Ministry, puts it: ‘A people-centred transition is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity. Social protection, opportunities for retraining and job transition policies are key to ensuring that climate ambition remains both politically and socially sustainable.’
The initiative therefore focuses on young people – especially those in the Global South – who are still lacking job prospects today, and also on those who stand to lose their current jobs in climate-damaging industries.GIZ has published three country case studies, including for Kenya, as a basis for further cooperation. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry in Kenya, is certain: ‘The transition to a new economy is not a burden, but a historic opportunity to create jobs, empower youth and drive inclusive growth.’
GIZ contributes its expertise and established partnerships to the Global Initiative on Jobs & Skills for the New Economy. We have been working with ministries, education and training centres and companies in the field of vocational training for many years and in many countries. In 2024 alone, 23 million people worldwide completed a vocational training measure supported by us. We cooperate with German and European partner companies such as Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric and Festo Didactic.
GIZ contributes its expertise and established partnerships to the Global Initiative on Jobs & Skills for the New Economy. We have been working with ministries, education and training centres and companies in the field of vocational training for many years and in many countries. In 2024 alone, 23 million people worldwide completed a vocational training measure supported by us. We cooperate with German and European partner companies such as Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric and Festo Didactic.
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