Are Green jobs sustainable for Sri Lankan Economy?

Abstract

It is imperative that Sri Lanka grasps the concepts of green jobs to meet the most vital but intricate challenge of the 21st Century, which is the transformation to a sustainable and a low-carbon economy. Such a transformation or a paradigm shift, which can be gradual or rapid depending on the circumstances, will undoubtedly have a considerable positive effect on the way we produce and/or consume goods and services. The speed at which this transformation would occur is likely to accelerate in the near future as there is a trend of global transition from a traditional to a low-carbon economy, in order to attain sustainable economies. Such trends will help create an array of different forms of green jobs across many sectors, and most probably can become a catalyst for further development. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has defined green jobs as “Jobs created when they help in reducing the negative environmental impacts ultimately leading to environmentally, economically and socially sustainable enterprises and economies”. Green jobs, in general, stand on two pillars: decent work and environmental sustainability. Thus, green jobs can be defined as decent work that contributes to environmental sustainability. In a broader sense decent work needs to address the core of international labour standards such as freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, effective abolition of child labour, elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, occupational health and safety, etc. whilst aligning to laws applicable to Sri Lanka. Environmental sustainability addresses issues such as effectively combating climate change, pollution prevention and control, conservation of eco-systems and biodiversity etc. (ILO, 2007).