Nature-based solutions can drive decent job creation

EU Green Week 2026

Nature-based solutions can drive decent job creation

Nature-based solutions have potential to be a major driver of employment in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, water and infrastructure development. Investment is needed in skills development, decent work and inclusion to ensure that this potential is translated into lasting social and environmental gains.

4 June 2026

BRUSSELS (ILO News) - Nature-based solutions are emerging as a significant source of employment worldwide. An estimated 60 million people are already working to conserve, protect, restore, or sustainably use and manage natural ecosystems to address social, economic, or environmental challenges.

"If investment is scaled up, nature-based solutions could create an additional 20 to 32 million jobs by 2030," said Carlien van Empel, Director of the ILO Office for the EU and the Benelux countries, at a debate organized by the European Training Foundation during the EU Green Week.

Jobs can be generated in the agriculture, forestry, water management and infrastructure sectors, including through projects that use nature to improve urban areas, restore ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience. The employment potential of nature-based solutions is especially strong in countries of the global south, where ecological needs often coincide with high levels of unemployment and underemployment.

However, many nature-based jobs are temporary, project-based or informal. While they can provide vital income for some of the most vulnerable communities, poor working conditions risk undermining workers' rights. There is also a serious risk of exclusion. Women, young people, indigenous peoples and vulnerable groups may be left behind if they face barriers to training, finance and labour market access.

Most nature-based solution projects face skills-related challenges during their implementation. If countries want nature-positive investments to deliver decent jobs, they will need to invest in technical skills for ecosystem restoration, sustainable land and water management, biodiversity conservation and nature-based infrastructure, as well as digital and project management skills, that support the design, implementation and maintenance of these projects.

Nature-based solutions should be embedded not only in environmental policy, but also in infrastructure, agriculture, employment and skills strategies. Governments must invest in people, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, social protection and social dialogue.

Employment Impact Assessments and stronger monitoring systems can help governments understand how many jobs are created, which skills are needed and whether investments are delivering both environmental and social returns.

"Nature-based solutions can become a powerful driver of sustainable development and a just transition. But decent work cannot be added later. It must be built in from the start," the Director concluded.