The EMG convened a Nexus Dialogue on Greening with Jobs: A Just Transition to Sustainability on 23 October 2018, hosted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, to explore how the transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies could promote decent work, social justice and inclusive development.
Bringing together representatives from UN entities, governments, employers' and workers' organizations, civil society and academia, the dialogue examined the social and economic implications of transitioning to greener economies. Discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that the benefits of environmental transformation are widely shared, while supporting workers, industries and communities that may be adversely affected by economic and technological change.
Participants explored national experiences, policy approaches and innovative financing mechanisms to advance a just transition. Key priorities included promoting decent jobs, strengthening social protection, reducing inequalities, ensuring meaningful participation through social dialogue, and integrating human rights and gender equality into sustainability policies. The dialogue also emphasized the importance of empowering young people, adapting approaches to national circumstances and strengthening international cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
The dialogue resulted in ten key policy messages highlighting that a just transition will not happen automatically but requires deliberate policies, inclusive governance and coordinated action. The messages called for stronger collaboration among governments, social partners, financial institutions and international organizations to ensure that the transition to sustainable economies advances social justice, leaves no one behind and supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.