Nature-based Solutions to Boost Employment Opportunities in Asia
Nature-based Solutions to Boost Employment Opportunities in Asia
By Sujata Regmi
In the Asia-Pacific region, 25.6 percent of the population is employed in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors, making the sectors vital for food security and economic stability. However, 47.1 percent or 424.6 million people of the world’s severely food-insecure population live in the region, according to FAO’s Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2023 report. Climate change is further exacerbating poverty and hunger in the region. The interconnectedness of climate hazards, food systems, employment, and livelihoods are intricately linked, as disruptions in one lead to cascading effects in others.
The Asia-Pacific region also faces significant employment challenges, particularly among youth and marginalized communities. These challenges are disrupting traditional livelihoods in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, exacerbating economic hardships. Small island nations, such as the Maldives and Pacific Islands, are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts like sea-level rise and extreme weather events. This disruption sets an alarm bell given the region's rich biodiversity and vast natural resources, which are often exploited unsustainably.
Innovative Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a promising pathway for job creation, livelihood improvement, climate resilience, and sustainable use of natural resources. The 2024 ESCAP-ADB-UNDP SDG Partnership Report highlights the opportunities for adopting NbS to promote employment, productivity, and livelihoods in the agricultural sector, thus fostering the integration of climate action with poverty and hunger alleviation.
- Nature-based Solutions for Agriculture, Food Systems and Climate Resilience
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines “Actions to protect, manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges, effectively and adaptively, providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits". In agriculture, NbS include climate-smart agriculture (CSA), agroecology, and conservation agriculture. These approaches increase agricultural productivity, build resilience to climate change, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create new job opportunities. For example, in Cambodia, solar dryer domes for fish processing have enhanced efficiency, improved productivity and hygiene, and increased income by creating job opportunities for local fish processors and manufacturers.Local processors have reported income increases of up to 25 percent, and scope remains for more employment opportunities across the country.
Agroecology emphasizes sustainable farming practices that work in harmony with nature, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and equitable outcomes for both producers and consumers. By increasing soil organic carbon stocks, agroecological practices deliver both mitigation and adaptation benefits, creating jobs in soil management and organic farming. In China's Shaanxi Province, the promotion of conservation agriculture has improved soil quality, reduced reliance on chemical inputs, and boosted farmer incomes, showing how sustainable practices can generate employment and improve livelihoods.
Diversification is another key aspect of NbS that contributes to climate-resilient food systems. By diversifying crops and farming practices, farmers can better withstand climate shocks and improve their livelihoods. The Khok Nong Na Model in Thailand exemplifies this approach, where farmers allocate land for rice, fruit, vegetables, water storage, and livestock, thereby enhancing food security and creating diverse employment opportunities.
Case study 1:From Monoculture to Multipurpose: Using Nature-based Solution through FLR349 Project In 2018, the "FLR349" project, also known as Forest for Earth, was launched by WWF Thailand in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Nan to address challenges posed by unsustainable agricultural practices. This nature-based solution aims to transform forest-encroaching monoculture operations into a "Three Forests, Four Benefits" agricultural system, enhancing food security and livelihoods. The project incentivizes farmers to switch from agrochemical monoculture to mixed-crop farming, offering financial support for up to 1.6 hectares per household. This shift creates diverse employment opportunities in sustainable farming practices, such as growing perennial crops, fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs, which restore degraded land and increase organic produce sales. By 2021, the project had supported 1,850 farmers, converted 600 hectares from monoculture to agroecology, and planted 83,558 seedlings on 72.8 hectares. Through community engagement and innovative partnerships, FLR349 generates employment, improves farmer income, and contributes to sustainable development and climate resilience. |
- Employment in Nature-Based Solutions
NbS involve actions to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems, providing benefits for both human well-being and biodiversity. A growing number of NbS initiatives are available, backed by real-world expertise and experience, and can be utilized to generate employment while conserving nature. Some of the most job-intensive activities in NbS include reforestation, ecosystem or watershed rehabilitation and restoration, managing invasive species, and using agroecological approaches to food production. By investing in and scaling up NbS, the sector can offer diverse and sustainable employment opportunities, that contribute to economic growth, environmental conservation, and social well-being.
Table 1: Nature-Based Solutions in Different Sectors
Source: WWF and ILO (2020) Nature Hires: How Nature-based Solutions Can Power a Green Jobs Recover
According to a Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2022 report, approximately 75 million people globally are currently employed in NbS, much of which is part-time work. This equates to around 14.5 million full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. The State of Finance for Nature 2021 Report suggests that tripling investment in NbS by 2030 to meet climate change mitigation, biodiversity, and land restoration targets could create an estimated 20 million additional jobs, or 16 million FTEs.
To illustrate the transformative impact of NbS on employment and resilience, specific examples where these solutions have been successfully implemented. For example, Pakistan's Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme has created jobs in reforestation, watershed management, and ecotourism, benefiting local communities and enhancing climate resilience.
Case study 2: Creating Jobs through Pakistan’s Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme Pakistan’s Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (TBTTP) was launched in 2019 with a budget of 125 billion Pakistani rupees ($562 million). It focuses on enhancing climate resilience while generating substantial employment opportunities. Aiming to plant 3.3 billion trees by 2023, the program addresses the impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures and extreme weather events. It aims to provide jobs to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, TBTTP has created approximately 1.42 million jobs, with 800,000 being long-term positions. The program is overseen by the Ministry of Climate Change, with monitoring by a consortium including IUCN, FAO, and WWF-Pakistan. In addition to job creation, the program supports increased forest cover, natural forest rehabilitation, and improved management of protected areas. Both the environment and local communities are benefiting through sustainable development and ecotourism initiatives. |
- A Road Ahead
While these case studies demonstrate the potential of NbS, a concerted effort is required across the region to fully harness their potential. A focused approach is essential to effectively generate employment in NbS and address challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
Enhance Access to Finance for Nature-based Employment
To generate substantial employment in NbS, it is crucial to provide farmers with access to credit and finance to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Government investment, country-level support, and technical assistance are necessary to scale job creation. The SDG Partnership Report highlights the need to bridge the climate finance gap by securing greater public and private sector investments. These efforts could be scaled in sectors like ecosystem restoration, reforestation, and agroecology. In Thailand, implementing "tree banks" allows farmers to use certain tree species as collateral for loans, promoting afforestation and providing financial security. According to the World Economic Forum, restoration activities alone could create 11 million jobs by 2030.
Support Innovation for NbS Employment and Productivity Growth
Fostering innovation is essential for fast-tracking employment in the NbS sector. Promoting innovations such as geospatial datasets and mobile applications can equip farmers with real-time data on weather, soil, and market conditions, helping them make informed decisions. Governments and stakeholders are encouraged to foster innovation that connects finance, technology, and businesses. These technologies can boost productivity and support climate resilience while creating job opportunities in data management, app development, and digital agriculture. The establishment of initiatives like the Food Innovation Hubs to encourage public-private partnerships can accelerate the adoption of digital and data-driven solutions. For instance, automatic weather stations, as seen in India, provide farmers with crucial weather and financial advisory services, thereby improving productivity and resilience.
Strengthening Skills and Capacity Building for NbS Employment
To fully capitalize on the employment potential of NbS, skill development, and capacity building must be prioritized. Capacity building should go beyond technical skills, focusing on transformative climate action, such as anticipatory thinking and coalition building. Governments should implement vocational training programs that equip workers with the skills necessary for emerging green sectors, such as agroforestry, conservation, and renewable energy. Additionally, local cooperatives, civil society organizations and community-based organizations should be strengthened to support NbS employment. They must ensure that rural workers are involved in and benefit from these projects equally. By building capacity, we can enhance both job creation and ecosystem management outcomes.
By focusing on these strategies, the Asia-Pacific region can boost employment opportunities in nature-based sectors, addressing climate change, poverty, and hunger while fostering sustainable development.