World
Environment Day highlights how climate change's adverse effects are driving the
urgent need to create new jobs through climate action. This year’s theme, 'Inspired by Nature: For Climate, For Future', underscores the importance of
nature-based solutions.
As organisations respond to climate change and biodiversity degradation, green jobs—roles responsible for preserving or restoring the environment—are gaining momentum and shaping industry. The growing impacts of climate change have created a green economy ecosystem that provides opportunities.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has a Green Jobs for Youth Pact, which aims to create 1 million green jobs by 2030 and support 10,000 young entrepreneurs in establishing and growing sustainable green businesses.
Green jobs are boosting employability and career growth, with the International Labour Organisation estimating that they account for about 15 per cent of job opportunities. For example, interest in renewable energy has already created over 16 million jobs globally.
The rise of green jobs transforms the landscape of work and industry by redefining and improving existing jobs or practices. For instance, in the construction industry, more builders now use climate-friendly materials to construct structures. Builders use recycled plastic and glass, low-carbon cement, smart lighting systems and water-conservation systems to create jobs in green architecture, manufacturing and engineering.
Finance
professionals scrutinise ESG practices more closely, prioritising climate risk
assessments in business operations. Supply chains focus on decarbonisation and
ethical sourcing, aligned with ESG practices.
Green jobs drive innovation. Farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture to reduce production costs and increase yield. Increasing numbers of drivers choose Electric Vehicles (EVs) to utilise technology, reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy. Innovators in renewable energy develop bifacial solar panels, increasing energy production and efficiency.
Green jobs are an impetus for investment and growth. Companies are now investing in green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and green finance, which channel funds into environmental stewardship and create green jobs in the process.
This year’s World Environment Day theme was brought to life through three pillars. First, protect and restore. This calls for reforestation and wetland restoration to provide effective carbon sinks on the planet. Safaricom is supporting this pillar through its reforestation programme, which aims to plant 5 million trees by 2030. So far, the company has grown 3 million trees, which has contributed immensely to offsetting its carbon footprint.
The second is embracing eco-friendly habits such as reducing carbon footprint through practical daily actions, such as minimising single-use plastics, saving water and conserving energy. Safaricom has a comprehensive strategy to eliminate single-use plastics across its operations.
The company replaced plastic carrier bags at retail shops with eco-friendly, reusable bags, eliminating millions of plastic bags per year. Additionally, it reduced the size of SIM cards and phased out plastic wrap packaging in favour of scratch-off panels. The company is also promoting eSIMS to further reduce plastic waste, in addition to achieving a nearly 99 per cent recycling rate, through active collection and recycling initiatives.
Finally, advocating green policies that champion the protection of local green spaces and support transitioning energy systems away from fossil fuels.
Together, green jobs power these pillars by providing a vital bridge between protecting ecosystems and ensuring human prosperity. Through these roles, we help restore nature, combat climate change, transition economies away from fossil fuels, and create fair-wage career paths for both current and future generations.
I
challenge both the private and public sectors to adapt to these changing times
and actively support the adoption of green jobs.
Director, Sustainability and Shared Value, Safaricom PLC
