Staff Discussion Notes

Green Jobs and the Future of Work for Women and Men

September 30, 2024

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"Green Jobs and the Future of Work for Women and Men", Staff Discussion Notes 2024, 003 (2024), accessed December 7, 2024, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400286049.006

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Disclaimer: This Staff Discussion Note represents the views of the authors and does not necessarily represent IMF views or IMF policy. The views expressed herein should be attributed to the authors and not to the IMF, its Executive Board, or its management. Staff Discussion Notes are published to elicit comments and to further debate.

Summary

The transition to a sustainable and green economy requires workers to move out of carbon-intensive jobs and workers to move into green jobs. The pace and effectiveness of the transition hinge not only on climate policies but also on the skills and adaptability of workers. Evidence suggests that economies with a robust supply of STEM-educated workers and a more equal treatment of women are better placed to transition faster and at a lower cost to a green economy, even after controlling for other country characteristics, because these economies generate more green innovation and face lower bottlenecks in expanding the green workforce. Altogether, climate policies, particularly energy taxes, in these economies are associated with emission reductions that are 2 to 4 percentage points larger than in economies with a less inclusive and educated workforce. While green jobs have been growing worldwide, men currently hold close to two-thirds of these positions and women only one-third. Green jobs are associated with a 7 percent premium for men and an even higher premium of 12 percent for women, suggesting that men’s and women’s labor supply may not meet demand. These findings highlight the critical need for educational and labor policies that promote skill enhancement and gender inclusivity, to ensure a sufficient supply of workers for the green economy and that all workers can benefit from the green transition. Finally, AI could be beneficial for workers in green jobs.

Subject: Education, Gender, Gender inequality, Labor, Labor markets, Women

Keywords: Climate Change, Employment, Employment share, Gender Equality, Gender green employment gap decomposition, Gender inequality, Global, Green jobs workers' characteristic, Green wage premium, Labor Market Transition, Labor markets, Women, Women employment, Worker occupation

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