Asia-Pacific Regional Case for Implementing the Global Accelerator by a Just Transition in Paper and Construction Industries
Project properties
- Partners: Korea, Republic Of
- Status: In progress
- This project is part of the Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All
Description
Asia and the Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world and is vulnerable to climate change. Between 2000 and 2019, eight out of the top ten countries by disaster occurrence and seven out of ten countries by disaster-affected populations are in the region. Severe climate change and its impacts are major causes threatening livelihoods, employment, economic development and sustainable environment. Climate change undermines the achievements of sustainable economic growth and decent work. Hence, under SDG1 (social protection), SDG8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 13 (climate action), the UN has taken various initiatives and actions for climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance. The ILO also adopted “Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all (2015)” as a set of policies which guide its member states to facilitate the transition from high-carbon industries to a low-carbon production system with creation of green jobs. Social dialogue and tripartism are fundamental for facilitating and achieving a just transition towards an environmentally sustainable economy and society. This project adopts the pulp and paper industry in Vietnam and the construction industry in Cambodia and applies ILO Just Transition Guidelines to these industries. The pulp and paper sector in Vietnam is an important industry contributing to the country's economy. Challenges in the pulp and paper industry include labour issues such as low wages and poor working conditions, environmental impact from deforestation and pollution, and the need for a just transition from carbon-intensive practices to automation to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Automation can also trigger redundancy in workplaces. The construction industry in Cambodia is significantly contributing to Cambodia’s economy, in the area of commercial and residential sector, transport and logistics, energy and industrial sectors. The construction sector is significantly impacted by climate change through heat stress and its effects on labour productivity and occupational safety and health. The ILO code of practice on OSH in Construction is of utmost relevance in this regard. There are immense possibilities to extend social protection coverage to construction sector workers and to support the just transition from informality to formality within the sector. The 2023 ILC’s general discussions recommended the ILO to take more sectoral approaches in addressing climate change challenges. So this project takes a sectoral approach and applies a Just Transition to the pulp and paper industry in Vietnam and the construction industry in Cambodia.SDG
Goals
- End poverty in all its forms everywhere
- Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Time
11.06.2024 - 31.12.2026
Budget
90 814 / 391 687
Development Cooperation