Europe creates millions of ‘green’ jobs

Europe – Over the last decade, between 3 million and 4.2 million jobs have been created within Europe’s eco-industries as a result of the transition to a resource-efficient circular economy, it emerged at a recent European Forum on Eco-innovation held in the French city of Lyon.

Case studies across a wide range of sectors have revealed a shortage of employees with ′green′ skills: for example, skilled engineers to optimise the environmental performance of buildings or the environmental impact of mining are in great demand. The same applies to specialisations in: electronic equipment management processes; eco-design for energy and resource savings in the construction sector; substitution of hazardous chemicals; and innovative recycling concepts.

European eco-innovation fora are aimed at developing recommendations for policy-makers. ′The circular economy model will generate jobs only if we redefine the way we think, produce and consume to create a positive environmental footprint with our activities,′ one delegate told the latest event.

Experts also highlighted the need for policy action and appropriate legislation and reform in order to drive change. Results-oriented policy-making that transforms product manufacturing through binding legislation accompanied by tax reform was widely perceived by participants as conducive to circular economy-based models that will create employment.

Karmenu Vella, EU commissioner for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries, closed the forum by saying: ′Rather than just balanced, the three pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and societal – need to be integrated with each other.′ And Vella reminded delegates that the EU still imports 60% of its raw materials. ′New economic and business models built around resource efficiency, eco-design and recycling are the way to go. Therefore, we ought to praise the good examples while also accompanying the transition for the businesses that are still following a linear model.′

For more information, visit: www.europa.eu/environment