In addition, States have a core obligation to adopt and implement national employment
strategies and plans of action, which may be of particular importance in the case of
economies in transition.134 Indeed, the transition to a low-carbon economy will effect the
labour markets of States as some jobs will be adapted or refined to the new green economy,
new jobs will be created, and other jobs will be lost.135 States must ensure the right to work
during this transition.136 In this context, the right to work and the right to social security
overlap, and the creation of “green jobs” may also be viewed as an adaption measure
ensuring more sustainable livelihoods adapted to new realities.
Finally, while the creation of new green jobs will help mitigate emissions, States must also
ensure that they respect, protect and fulfil the right to work in the changing landscape of
employment and livelihood. For example, employment opportunities in emerging sectors
must be made available in a non-discriminatory way, with particular attention given to
disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups. Such employment opportunities
must also be accessible and acceptable in the manner described in section 5.1.1 above.
CASE STUDY: The Right to Work and the United Kingdom’s Green Economy
Estimates suggest that the transition to green economy could create upwards of 400,000 new
jobs.137 The UK Government’s 2009 “Low Carbon Industrial Strategy”138 is a key part of its
overall mitigation strategy.139 Focusing on jobs, the strategy sets out how the UK plans to
take advantage of the opportunities presented by the transition to a low carbon economy.
The core objective of the strategy is “to ensure that British businesses and workers are
equipped to maximise the economic opportunities and minimise the costs.”140 To this end, it
discusses various economic areas that are predicted to grow and create new green jobs, such
as offshore wind power, carbon markets, and low-carbon buildings and construction. The
Government also acknowledges that it “will aim to make the transition [to a low carbon
economy] in a way that ensures a fair distribution of costs and benefits across the
economy.”141
Of particular significance with respect to the right to work is the strategy’s inclusion of
provisions new skills training, and measures to address the potential skills gap and “just
transition” considerations in moving away from a more carbon-intensive economy. Thus,
the strategy strives to respect the right to work by taking into consideration the effects of the
transition on individual workers and businesses alike.
5.1.3 Understanding the Right to Work in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation
Policies
It is clear that a range of livelihoods will be impacted by climate change. As a result, States
must work with those in impacted sectors to provide them with the skills, knowledge and
resources they need to adapt to changing circumstances. In some cases, where adaptation
within a given sector is impossible, States must facilitate the transition to alternative
livelihoods in way that fully respects the right to work.
In order to respect the right to work in adaptation policies, States should take employment
and livelihood considerations into account in their adaptation impact assessments. For
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