Ecosystems, Economy and Employment: A labour approach to biodiversity Ana Belén Sánchez 19 October 2012 COP 11- Hyderabad (India)

Objectives: -Better understand the links between biodiversity protection and employment -Quantitative terms: employment impact of biodiversity protection and sustainable use of natural resources -Qualitative terms: impacts on working conditions -Experience of trade unions on this matter

Addressing multiple crisis Need to create new 600 million jobs over the next 10 years Improve low incomes of 900 million people living below poverty line But also 80 % don’t have access to social protection, increasing food insecurity… A quarter of plant species threatened with extinction Natural habitats continue to decline in extent and integrity But also climate change, desertification… And of course, the economic crisis!

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Report “Over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fibber and fuel. This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth”

Interlinked crisis Ecosystem degradation due to: –Unsustainable farming practices –Infrastructure development –Unsustainable exploitation of natural resources –Pollution and invasive species As a result: –Food insecurity –Rise in poverty –Impacts on human health and wellbeing –Collapse of economic activities and jobs losses

Biodiversity and employment An unexplored link Increasing literature on Green Jobs But, studies do not always reflect this link. There is more information available on Climate Change and Employment Informed decisions are based on data and facts: –how many jobs depend on our biodiversity and our ecosystems? –How many jobs will be generated by protecting nature and ecosystems? –What will be the social implications of these transformation?

Biodiversity and Employment A threefold relation 1/ Biodiversity and Ecosystems are the basis of a significant part of the economy A great number of jobs today depend on them. 2/ Biodiversity loss = job losses 3/ Green Jobs creation result of sustainable practices in ecosystems management

Links between Biodiversity and Employment

Highly dependent primary industries Farming, forestry sector, fishing, water supply Biodiversity provide raw materials Biodiversity is the basis of development in the sectors Regulating ecosystem services are needed for the functioning Biodiversity is the basis of production of these sectors 36% jobs in developing countries 6,5% jobs in EU

Manufacturing industries dependent on inputs and processes Energy supply, mining, food, drink and tobacco, wood and paper, pharmaceuticals and other production industries Ecosystem services essential for production Biodiversity provision of raw materials Biodiversity products and ecosystem services development Ecosystem services essential for processing activities 30% jobs in developing countries 17% jobs in EU

Service activities depedent on cultural services Hotels, creative industries and media, education Part of activities of these sectors depend on ecosystem cultural services Biodiversity provide some of their raw materials (such as food or others) 7% jobs in developing countries 13 % jobs in EU

Service activities dependent on raw materials and fuel Construction and transport Activities which depend on the provision of some raw materials from ecosystems Activities which depend on the provision of fuel from ecosystems 11% jobs in developing countries 19% jobs in the EU

Indirect relationship: Other sectors Other activities Ecosystem services needed for the maintenance of human health The essential services provided by ecosystems make working environment and development of these sectors possible Ecosystem services needed for the survival and the protection of people and properties from natural disasters. 16% jobs in developing c. 45% jobs in EU

Some figures: jobs that depend on biodiversity and ecosystems Jobs directly related to biodiversity: –In the EU 14.6 million jobs, 7%of the labour market –In developing countries, 927 million, 35% of their labour market Jobs with a direct link with ecosystem services: –112 mill jobs in EU, 48% of LM –1298 mill in developing countries, 49% of LM Jobs indirectly dependent on ecosystem services: –104 mill jobs in the European Union, 45% LM –413 mill jobs in developing countries,16% LM

New jobs to protect the Planet’s biodiversity New decent and green jobs, much needed in the current deep unemployment crisis. Biodiversity-friendly sectors are in most cases more labour intensive that the unsustainable ones. Positive impact on quality of work in some sectors. While, in other cases ad-hoc policies are needed. Close linked with poverty!

Biodiversity and poverty: GDP of the poor

Agriculture –Unsustainable practices have resulted in low- quality and low-income jobs. –The sector represent 70% of child labour –Workers have twice as likely to die at work as those in other sectors –Death to exposure of dangerous chemical products –Organic farming: creates a third more employment than non-organic farming and reduce exposure to chemicals.

Forest Biodiversity-friendly forest sector: –Additional jobs: up to 10 mill new jobs –Eradication of forced labour –Less fires Measures to be implemented –eradicating illegal logging –Providing training to workers on sustainable management –Improving working conditions –Establishing protected forest areas –Reforestation with native species –Clean-up work in forest areas

Fishing Fishing essential to the survival and food security of 200 mill people Now: 30% global stocks are over- exploited. 88 % at the EU- 45% outside safe biological limits. Opportunities of biodiversity-friendly fishing: –New jobs: 100,000 only in Europe (inc. 28%) –Transformation of the sectors: companies and workers: need for a Just Transition framework

Tourism Represent 8% of global employment and is expected to grow Precarious working conditions: low salary, long hours, informal economy. A significant part of the sector is highly dependent of biodiversity and ecosystems Eco-tourism: –Major source of local employment –Impacts of tourism infrastructure and facilities would not destruct natural habitats, create water pollution and waste would be managed…

Water resource management One of the sectors most dependant on biodiversity: high correlation between global areas with biodiversity under threat and areas with water security is at risk. Options: –Increase water use efficiency –Reduce pressure of underground sources –Reform water policies, promoting water saving –Reform water governance. Role of public sector

Transitional challenge Protecting biodiversity might have an immediate impact on jobs: limitation on unsustainable fishing Different impact for companies than for workers: substitution and relocation to alternative options vs workers facing limited options. Just Transition Framework(s) needed

Participation by workers Awareness of workers and TUs have increased in recent years. Some pioneering experiences: –Malaysian hotel workers have been trained in sustainable management of hotel facilities –Greek tourism union has introduced environmental clauses in collective agreement –Amazonian forest workers participate in forest certification initiatives –Public sector unions carry out an intense campaign to achieve sustainable, public management of water. –Others: France, Brazil, Belgium…

Trade Union have committed in the area of biodiversity to: Promote regulation and public administration strategies Demand a new production model which conserves biological diversity Demand the inclusion of the biodiversity variable in public and private policies Fight of funding for biod policies Demand the protection of ecosystems and manage them with local communities eng. Demand land use and urban development policies incorporate biodiv variable Promote alliance with other stakeholders with same obj

Thanks for your attention!