Publication: Jobs, Food and Greening: Exploring Implications of the Green Transition for Jobs in the Agri-food System
Date
2023-05-16
ISSN
Published
2023-05-16
Author(s)
Abstract
The agri-food system (AFS) employs
about one third of the global workforce and contributes
about one third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
This together with its large exposure to the effects of
climate change and environmental degradation makes what
happens in AFS central to the green transition and its
implications for jobs and the structural transformation.
Microeconomic evidence suggests that the adoption of climate
smart agricultural practices will increase labor
requirements, at least in the short run and at lower levels
of incomes, when its mechanization is still limited.
Econometric macro-model-based simulations suggest however
that especially substantial investment in climate friendly
agricultural R&D as well as soil and water preserving
practices and market integration will more than offset the
negative effects of climate change and even accelerate the
structural transformation, especially in Sub Saharan Africa.
Overall, the findings underscore the tremendous potential of
increasing agricultural and climate friendly R&D
investment for brokering an environmentally sustainable
structural transformation. Repurposing of
agriculture’s current US$ 638 billion support
package towards supporting more climate friendly practices,
including to overcome the time lag between the moment of
investment and the realization of the benefits, provides an
important policy entry point.
Citation
“Nico, Gianluigi; Christiaensen, Luc. 2023. Jobs, Food and Greening: Exploring Implications of the Green Transition for Jobs in the Agri-food System. Jobs Working Paper; Issue No. 75. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/39819 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”