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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Carbon & Climate
Carbon tax ‘less costly’, more effective than emissions trading for the Philippines: WWF exec
Putting a direct and pre-defined price on fossil fuel emissions will generate more revenue and is not as expensive as setting up a cap and trade scheme, mooted under a new low carbon economy bill, says Edgardo Tongson, WWF Philippines' sustainable finance lead.
Carbon & Climate
Middle East workers prioritise pay when making career decisions; company’s green practices least important: survey
Even as ESG moves up on corporates' priority lists, executives working in the region are focused on compensation when deciding if they will stay on in a company. But enhancing sustainability practices and policies can still improve staff retention, the survey finds.
Gold mining is high risk and low paid, especially for the women who make up a third of the underground workforce.
It will be tough to ensure the 'fuel-switch' changes are genuinely low-carbon, economic and sustained.
Food & Agriculture
Bali's water temple priests guide a sustainable rice production system
Food & Agriculture
Five charts: How climate change is driving up food prices around the world
Carbon & Climate
How biochar can help China reach carbon neutrality
Opinion
Food & Agriculture
La Niña: boon or bane for Southeast Asia’s food security?
The expected advent of the La Niña might portend a double-edged sword for affected regions.
Food & Agriculture
Small farms the key to Malaysia’s palm oil sustainability
These smallholder farmers can become "technopreneurs" in their own right if more incentives were provided for them to adopt technology and digitisation initiatives that can help improve sustainability performance.
The country’s recent National Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights report reveals an urgent need for human rights to be entrenched into Malaysia’s domestic laws.
Food & Agriculture
Changing rainfall patterns in the Mekong pose new challenges
While rainfall is important, how it is collected, stored and distributed is crucial to dealing with the region’s increasingly drier spells.
Food & Agriculture
Vietnam’s rice land restrictions: Time for a rethink?
Food & Agriculture
AI can transform global food security and climate action
Videos
EB Studio
Amid fresh debates about what corporate purpose should be, there is mounting evidence that corporate purpose leads to stronger brand reputation, better talent attraction and more resilience, leading to improved financial performance.
Policy & Finance
Tackling climate change in a mosaicked Asia
EB Studio
Asia's green transition pathways need to be socially inclusive given huge differences in economic development across the region, says experts at the Boston Consulting Group. State-owned enterprises have an "outsized" role to play, they add.
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.
Podcasts
Carbon & Climate
‘Five years ago, everyone wanted to be Elon Musk’: Where is climate tech in Southeast Asia now?
Entrepreneur Steve Melhuish tells the EB Podcast where the biggest opportunities to reduce emissions and make money are in Southeast Asia, and why finding the right economic incentives is critical for climate tech startups.
Policy & Finance
The race to insure Southeast Asia against climate risk
Asia lags the world in natural catastrophe protection. Part of the problem could be counting extreme weather losses only after they happen, industry insiders tell the Eco-Business podcast.
Policy & Finance
‘We do not just adopt global standards, we respond to domestic challenges’: Philippine central bank exec Lyn Javier
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas assistant governor tells the Eco-Business Podcast about the regulator’s maiden sustainability report that features an empirical study of climate impacts on banks as well as the nation’s first taxonomy.
In a region where large hydro projects and expanding biofuel plantations coincide with an upcoming coal phaseout, a laissez-faire approach could worsen existing inequalities and mar the success of a clean energy buildout.
