The International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have issued a report, which reveals that investing in nature-based solutions (NbS) could create as many as 32 million new jobs by 2030.

A complementary UNEP policy brief explores NbS’ contributions to peacebuilding and conflict resolution in fragile and conflict-affected areas.

The ‘Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2024’ report notes that globally, more than 60 million people work in activities categorized as NbS – “actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.” It calls for increased and more targeted investments in countries with the most potential for use of NbS.

The report identifies opportunities and challenges associated with employment in nature-based infrastructure, which, it argues, requires new, interdisciplinary skill sets that combine traditional infrastructure expertise with environmental sciences and ecosystem management. It underscores the need for just transition policies to ensure that nature-based infrastructure jobs are decent and that the benefits are shared in an equitable and inclusive manner.

Among the barriers to scaling nature-based infrastructure, the report highlights: lack of awareness; lack of data on performance; long implementation timelines; skills gaps; and lack of access to capital, especially in low-income regions. Obstacles to decent work creation through nature-based infrastructure include the jobs’ temporary, informal, and project-based nature – and heat stress, exacerbated by climate change, which threatens worker safety.

The report offers four key recommendations:

• Strengthen and align national NbS policy frameworks to capitalize on progress made at the global level;
• Invest in skills development and workforce training;
• Promote rights and inclusivity in the NbS workforce; and
• Strengthen research and data collection to better inform decision making.

“By creating sustainable livelihoods,” the report concludes, “NbS can drive both ecological and social progress, making job creation a vital element of successful NbS implementation.”

The second in a series, the report “aims to improve the understanding of the role of NbS in the world of work and in a just transition towards environmentally sustainable and inclusive economies and societies.” It was launched on 7 December 2024, during the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Another publication titled, ‘Nature-based Solutions for Peace: Emerging Practice and Options for Policymakers,’ draws on 40 case studies, expert insights, and research, to highlight how NbS can reduce the risks of violent conflict, build more stable societies, and foster community and environmental resilience.

Among key lessons from emerging practice, the report emphasizes that NbS are uniquely placed to address underlying conflict drivers and conflict resolution and that conflict presents direct risks to NbS projects. It calls for focusing on alternative livelihoods, addressing inequality and economic incentives, addressing migration and displacement, advancing transboundary cooperation, and working with the state to promote local grounding and participatory approaches. The report includes recommendations for policymakers and for programme design.

The policy brief was published on 5 December 2024. [Publication: Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2024] [Publication Landing Page] [Publication: Nature-based Solutions for Peace: Emerging Practice and Options for Policymakers] [Publication Landing Page] [UNEP Press Release]