Dubai: Economies have to focus their efforts on creating jobs and investing in skills of the workforce to achieve sustainable development for a green economy, said a UN official yesterday.
“When countries think of going green, they also have to think about investing in the talent of the young generation and the labour force because even though today’s knowledge may not be used tomorrow, it certainly will be essential down the line,” said Dr Steven Stone, chief of economics and trade branch, United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) in Geneva.
According to the International Labour Office, 600 million jobs have to be created worldwide in the next 10 years, and one of the global challenges is investing in the skills of the labour force.
“It is a big challenge for many countries as they do not see immediate returns. And although it dips at first, it will pick up in the long run and also save energy at the same time,” said Stone.
Such ideas and ways on how to achieve a green economy will be the main agenda in next month’s inaugural PAGE (Partnership for Action on a Green Economy) conference, set to take place from March 4-5.
As part of Dubai Municipality’s efforts to achieve a green economy, it announced on Wednesday that it has also updated its environmental policy for 2014 related to environmental issues and the civic body’s workforce.
“According to the updated policy, the environment department will ensure that all its operations are in compliance with federal and local environmental laws, including the federal laws on the protection and development of the environment, and monitoring and controlling radioactive sources,” said Eng Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality.
“The municipality will provide awareness and training programmes for those in the environmental field, and develop adequate [task forces] to implement environmental plans and programmes. Our new policy will also adopt best environmental practices and latest technologies in executing our projects and activities,” he added.
