Jobs in the Circular Economy: Leveraging Circularity to Create Decent Work – Geneva Environment Network

Report on the Launch of the Circular Jobs Global Baseline Report

Introduction: A Multi-Stakeholder Initiative for Sustainable Development

An event has been scheduled to launch the Circular Jobs Global Baseline Report, a significant publication developed through a multi-stakeholder partnership. This collaboration between the International Labour Organization (ILO), Circle Economy Foundation, and the World Bank Group exemplifies the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The report is the result of a three-year initiative, “Jobs in the Circular Economy,” designed to equip policymakers with data to facilitate a just and job-rich transition towards a circular economy, thereby advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Findings: Quantifying the Circular Economy’s Contribution to Global Goals

The report presents the first global baseline of circular employment, offering critical data for measuring progress towards sustainable economic models.

Global Employment Impact and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Global Scale: The report provides a comprehensive estimate of circular employment across 177 countries, covering both formal and informal sectors. It finds that between 121 and 142 million people, or 5% to 5.8% of the global workforce, are engaged in the circular economy. This data provides a crucial benchmark for tracking progress on SDG 8.
• Sectoral Analysis: The analysis highlights key sectors for job creation. Repair and maintenance activities are dominant, accounting for 46% of the total, or 65.2 million jobs. This underscores the potential for green jobs that support sustainable industrialization and infrastructure, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Social Equity Dimensions: Addressing SDG 5 and SDG 10

• Gender Equality (SDG 5): The report offers a gender-disaggregated analysis, revealing that women constitute 26% of the circular economy workforce, totaling 36.4 million jobs. However, significant regional disparities exist, with participation rates as high as 32% in upper-middle-income countries but markedly lower in Africa (14%) and the Arab States (4.7%). This data is essential for developing policies that promote women’s full and effective participation in the green economy.
• Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10): By providing estimates across different regions and income groups, the report enables a deeper understanding of how the circular transition impacts various populations. This evidence base is vital for ensuring that the shift to a circular economy is inclusive and helps to reduce inequalities both within and among countries.

Expert Panel and Policy Dialogue

The launch event will feature a panel of leading experts who will discuss the report’s findings. The dialogue will focus on leveraging the circular economy to achieve key sustainable development targets.

Discussion Themes

1. Promoting decent job creation in line with SDG 8.
2. Fostering sustainable enterprises and innovation as per SDG 9.
3. Improving conditions of work to ensure a just transition for all workers.

Confirmed Speakers

• Casper EDMONDS: Head of Unit, Extractives, Energy and Manufacturing, ILO
• Esther GOODWIN-BROWN: Lead, Circular Jobs Initiative, Circle Economy
• Diana JUNQUERA CURIEL: Director, Energy Industry and Just Transition, IndustriALL Global Union
• Robert MARINKOVIC: Adviser, Climate Change, IOE
• Joaquim Bento DE SOUZA FERREIRA FILHO: Senior Professor, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Registration Information

Participation Format

The event will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and online attendance.

• In-person Attendance: Details to be announced.
• Online Attendance: Registration is required via Webex.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article is centered around the “Circular Jobs Global Baseline Report,” which directly addresses employment. It discusses creating a “job-rich transition” to a circular economy, focusing on “decent jobs,” and improving “conditions of work.” The report’s primary goal is to provide a global baseline of employment, which is fundamental to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The entire context of the article is the “circular economy.” This economic model is a core strategy for achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns. The report analyzes employment in circular activities like “Repair and maintenance,” which are essential for reducing waste and making consumption more sustainable, directly aligning with the principles of SDG 12.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article explicitly highlights gender-disaggregated data from the report. It states, “Women make up 26% of circular economy workers,” and provides further breakdowns by income groups and regions. This focus on the scale and characteristics of women’s employment in the circular economy directly connects to the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The report itself is a product of a multi-stakeholder partnership, described as a “collaboration between the three agencies” (ILO, Circle Economy Foundation, and the World Bank Group). The initiative aims to put “data and practical tools in the hands of policymakers and decision-makers,” which strengthens the means of implementation and revitalizes the global partnership for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. The article discusses a “just and job-rich transition to the circular economy” and bolstering “sustainable enterprises,” which aligns with this target.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The report’s focus on providing a “global baseline of circular employment” and disaggregating data by gender supports the measurement and pursuit of this target.
2. Under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production):
   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The article highlights that “Repair and maintenance activities account for 46% of the total” circular employment. These activities are central to waste reduction and extending the life of products, directly contributing to this target.
3. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The report’s specific measurement of female participation (“Women make up 26% of circular economy workers”) provides a baseline to track progress towards equal participation in this growing economic sector.
4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The report is a direct result of a partnership between the ILO, Circle Economy Foundation, and the World Bank Group, demonstrating this target in action.
   • Target 17.18: By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries… to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts. The report’s purpose is to provide the “first global baseline of circular employment” with data disaggregated “by gender, and by formal/informal economy jobs,” directly addressing the need for better data as specified in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators derived from the Circular Jobs Global Baseline Report:

• Total employment in the circular economy: The article states that “at least 121 to 142 million people are working worldwide in the circular economy.” This serves as a direct indicator for measuring the job-creation aspect of SDG 8.
• Share of circular employment in the total workforce: The finding that circular jobs are “equivalent to 5 to 5.8% of total employment” is a key indicator for tracking the scale of the circular economy’s contribution to overall economic activity (SDG 8).
• Employment breakdown by sector: The statistic that “Repair and maintenance activities account for 46% of the total” circular employment is an indicator for progress on waste reduction and resource efficiency goals (SDG 12.5).
• Data disaggregation by employment status: The report provides estimates for employment in “both the formal and informal economy,” which is a crucial indicator for understanding the quality and security of jobs (SDG 8).
• Gender-disaggregated employment data: The specific figures that “Women make up 26% of circular economy workers, at 36.4 million” and the breakdown by region (“low in Africa (14%) and the Arab States (4.7%)”) are direct indicators for measuring progress towards gender equality in the workforce (SDG 5.5).
• Existence of multi-stakeholder reports and tools: The report itself, co-authored by three major international agencies, is a qualitative indicator of successful partnerships (SDG 17.16) and efforts to improve data availability (SDG 17.18).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: genevaenvironmentnetwork.org