Enabling Impact
We are only beginning to realize the full employment potential of NBS. But for these solutions to foster sustainable income opportunities, key enablers need to be deliberately put in place.
Projects should be designed with short- and long-term job creation in mind, aligning with social protection systems and considering the specific operational requirements and benefits of each intervention. Policies that promote public and private investment in areas with high NBS potential, as well as efforts to enhance the productivity of workers are needed. This includes fostering skills and expertise related to the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of natural areas.
Building this capacity and expertise will enable better project design that benefits both nature and economic development. Sectors such as agriculture, forestry, marine ecosystems, and construction stand to gain significantly from NBS investments. There is ample potential to engage rural youth, particularly in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, in income-generating opportunities that support the increased use of NBS.
Developing these skills requires further documentation of good practices, exchange of knowledge, and support on the development of business models and approaches for optimizing employment creation. The World Bank and the ILO have already started collaborating on this through capacity building workshops.
For example, in Ethiopia, these workshops have helped government and partners create quality jobs through NBS, with similar initiatives targeting governments, employers, and worker organizations in Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. The aim is to expand such efforts to other regions.
Maximizing the job creation potential of NBS requires targeted investments, policy support, and building capacity to ensure long-term economic benefits. By doing so, countries can ensure that investments in nature and its services provide a cost-effective approach not only to environmental restoration but also to expanding livelihood opportunities and incomes.