8. Decent work and economic growth
Over the past 25 years the number of workers living in extreme poverty has declined dramatically, despite the lasting impact of the 2008 economic crisis and global recession. In developing countries, the middle class now makes up more than 34 percent of total employment – a number that has almost tripled between 1991 and 2015.
However, as the global economy continues to recover we are seeing slower growth, widening inequalities, and not enough jobs to keep up with a growing labour force. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
To adopt SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth, in support of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, please contact us at partners@eco-business.com
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Policy & Finance
Despite government push for green jobs, green skills remain underprioritised by Singapore workers: study
Compared to their counterparts across the region, a significantly lower percentage of employees in Singapore view green skills as being valued by employers, even though 55,000 jobs are set to be created in the city-state over the next decade in response to the growing focus on sustainable development.
India urged to bring women into the workforce by creating female-friendly jobs and conditions as its population and economy grow.
EB Studio
Companies are increasingly requesting for support from the state to equip their staff with skills in carbon accounting and sustainability reporting. Eco-Business has been appointed as a key training provider to run new and substantially-subsidised foundational courses, under an expanded Enterprise Sustainability Programme.
India-based Kunal Sharma will lead the international sustainability non-profit’s work on energy transition.
Policy & Finance
AI boom is dream and nightmare for workers in Global South
Opinion
Policy & Finance
Who gets squeezed by austerity?
The precarious nature of informal employment, together with often hazardous working conditions, leaves informal workers particularly vulnerable to health risks.
Policy & Finance
Emerging economies can phase out oil and gas fairly—here’s how
Countries like Colombia should plan to provide for communities whose livelihoods were previously tied to fossil fuels.
With South Asia set to bear the brunt of global heating, we must understand the realities and nuances of climate-induced migration in the region to chart the way forward.
Policy & Finance
What does the world need to achieve sustainable, inclusive growth?
While some believe that economic growth is incompatible with fighting climate change, only growing economies can produce the financial resources needed to make the transition to a net-zero economy. Accelerating global growth could bring lower-income households into the middle class and build infrastructure to reduce emissions.
Policy & Finance
Indonesia at risk of missing golden economic opportunity
Food & Agriculture
Small-scale farmers feed the world, but we are at a breaking point
Videos
Green Buildings
Getting our urban environment to net-zero
EB Studio
Our urban infrastructure is responsible for almost 40 per cent of global carbon emissions. Climate solutions need to include the biggest energy guzzlers, clean energy and retrofitting old buildings.
Carbon & Climate
Women in STEM driving sustainability
Women play a key role in developing innovations to push for sustainability, but barriers remain to their entry into STEM careers. To celebrate International Day of Women & Girls in Science, EB Impact speaks to three women in science on making an impact and pursuing careers in STEM.
In gridlocked, smoggy Southeast Asian cities, change is afoot to electrify transport and clear some of the world's most polluted skies. This video documents the pockets of hope for e-mobility around the most climate-vulnerable region.
EB Studio
What has been the effect of this agribusiness company's dual-income policy on the households of its Indonesian workers?
Podcasts
Policy & Finance
How did Covid change sustainability events?
EB Studio
Covid-19 didn't kill events, but it did change them. Teymoor Nabili and Veemal Gungadin tell the Eco-Business Podcast how a pandemic transformed the way sustainability events are conceived and organised.
GoTo sustainability head Tanah Sullivan tells the Eco-Business Podcast that regulating net-zero claims would decarbonise Southeast Asia faster. Indonesia's biggest internet firm aims to cut emissions to zero by 2030 — a target critics say is unrealistic.
Can the hotels sector, traditionally resource-intensive and wasteful, reinvent itself and go green? Eco-Business asks two hospitality executives about balancing post-Covid recovery, and if luxury can be made compatible with sustainability.
Carbon & Climate
Is the world decarbonising fast enough?
It is no longer business as usual when it comes to how we tackle climate change and rising global temperatures. Eco-Business speaks to Elena Philipova of Refinitiv about how data can ensure countries and businesses are delivering on pledges to decarbonise.
