Advancing decent work through nature-based solutions

Photo © Instituto de Montaña

In a recent course on Decent Work through Nature-based Solutions (NbS), decision-makers explored how to create sustainable, green jobs through NbS, drawing from comprehensive reports by ILO, UNEP, and IUCN. This four-week e-learning course offered valuable lessons on integrating NbS with decent work principles, based on extensive case studies and expert insights.

Key insights from the course

The course was structured into four main learning blocks:

Four main learning blocks

Introduction to NbS and decent work: This module covered the essentials of NbS, the IUCN global standards, and how these can be applied to create decent work opportunities.

Frameworks for measuring NbS impact: Participants learned how to measure work outcomes within NbS frameworks, including various types of employment and required skills.

Practical applications: Case studies from diverse regions, including Costa Rica, Peru, and Sierra Leone, illustrated the practical application of NbS in creating jobs and fostering resilience.

Future directions: Discussions focused on scaling NbS interventions, addressing barriers, and exploring enabling conditions for job creation.

Highlights from participants

Participants were given assignments to select and analyze a case study as part of the course requirements to earn a certificate of achievement. The three participants with the highest marks were:

- Juliana Durán Prieto from WRI highlighted how the course influenced her work on ecosystem-based adaptation in Peru, emphasizing the value of integrating traditional technologies.

- Freidah Wanda Mwende of CIFOR-ICRAF discussed the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone project, noting the importance of local governance and capacity building.

Two of my ongoing projects – Sustainable Fisheries in India and Maldives with The World Bank and developing an Operation and Maintenance Toolkit for urban NbS projects with WRI – greatly benefited from the Smart Coasts case study. Key learnings included the importance of regional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, financial sustainability, private sector participation, citizen science, data integration, and sustainable job creation.

Nidhi Batra

Founder, Sehreeti Foundation and Skills Specialist, The World Bank

Addressing challenges and trade-offs

The course revealed various challenges, such as job insecurity and resource strain, and provided strategies for overcoming these issues. Effective management and thoughtful implementation are essential for achieving sustainable and equitable outcomes in NbS projects.

Participant reflections

Participants from diverse backgrounds—ranging from government officials to grassroots activists—found the course instrumental in shaping their understanding of just transitions and NbS. Many expressed a commitment to applying the lessons learned in their future projects. They also recognized the need to empower vulnerable and developing nations to adapt their labour markets to climate change and biodiversity loss.

This course significantly impacts grassroots and frontline communities by creating opportunities at the intersection of nature, climate, and livelihoods.

Kaluki Paul Mutuku

Executive Director, KEAN International and Programme Manager, Afrika Youth Caravan to COP

Looking ahead

As the course concluded, participants expressed interest in continuing to explore and implement the principles of decent work in NbS. The upcoming second edition report promises to build on these insights.

Hae-Kyeung Chun (Technical Officer at ILO) mentions that investing in inclusive skills development and lifelong learning can serve as an important enabler for enhancing employability in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) jobs, boosting productivity, and promoting gender equality and decent work.

For more information about future courses and updates, you can follow our latest news, courses, and projects, or write to us at climate_nature@itcilo.org.