Background

The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) PAGE was launched in 2013 as a response to the call at Rio+20 to support those countries wishing to embark on greener and more inclusive growth pathway. PAGE brings together five UN agencies – UN Environment Programme (UNEP), International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – whose mandates, expertise and networks combined can offer integrated and holistic support to countries on inclusive green economy, ensuring coherence and avoiding duplication. PAGE Green Recovery Programme in Thailand aims to accelerate progress towards inclusive, green, and sustainable development with the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) as the Government Focal Point.

The concepts of green jobs (GJs) and a Just Transition (JT) to environmental sustainability play an important role in the process of green economic policy development. Thailand’s economy is shifting towards a greener economy to enhance the potential for realizing sustainable development objectives. This green revolution has been driven by the improvement of technology, innovation and social imperative which allow workers to adapt to the skill needs and demands of new greener technologies. To accelerate greening, Thailand has produced policies to enhance environmental conservation. However, without the development of its labour force through suitable and up to date job skills, greening becomes difficult to achieve.

The transition to more sustainable agriculture can deliver more employment opportunities and better working conditions. Sustainable agriculture for small-scale farmers in Thailand means an agricultural system that will lead farmers to self-sufficiency and provides for ecological balance in farming communities. Therefore, it can be seen as an alternative solution with different farming methods for small-scale farmers rather than a mainstream agriculture based on market forces.

The objective of the ILO work is to provide an assessment of green and decent jobs potential and analysis of existing policy settings for supporting a just transition, with a case study in the agricultural sector in Chiang Mai Province.

Based on the findings of the ILO policy readiness assessment and the case study findings, a capacity building workshop will be organized on 24 November, Muang District, Chiang Mai, followed by an on-site knowledge/experiential tour to Mae Chaem District on 25-26 November 2022.

Objectives

• Enhance the awareness and understanding of local stakeholders of Green Jobs and Just Transition, with a focus on the transition toward sustainable agriculture,
• Advise on local income generation/Green Jobs opportunities as well as skills needs for sustainable agriculture based on the findings of the ILO Green Jobs assessment and case study analysis,
• Raise the awareness and build the capacity of local government, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)/farmer communities to actively participate in Green Jobs and Just Transition promotion in sustainable agriculture through institutional strengthening and social dialogue.

Modality

The workshop and knowledge tour will be conducted with in-person attendance. Simultaneous interpretation will be made available for participants during the workshop session; consecutive translation will be provided during the site-visit.

For further information please contact:

Eric Roeder
ILO Technical Specialist on Green Jobs, Climate Action and Resilience through Just Transition - Asia Pacific Region
Email: roeder@iloguest.org

PEI Hongye
ILO PAGE Asia Consultant
Email: pei@iloguest.org