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
Why isn’t China’s emissions growth slowing like its GDP?
Despite slowing GDP growth, coal consumption is on the up, largely due to a failure to improve energy efficiency.
Kuala Selat village lies on the coast of Indragiri Hilir district on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. In the first half of the year, residents of the village arrange buckets and drums to collect rainwater to meet their daily needs. They will then stockpile water to last through the dry months from June to September, but a longer dry spell has led to an acute shortage of water.
Policy & Finance
Q&A: Climate finance at World Bank and IMF spring meetings 2024
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) held their spring meetings last week in Washington DC – a key event in a critical year for international climate finance.
As UN talks in Canada seek global plastics treaty, research says levels of plastic waste have become unmanageable.
Policy & Finance
How microloans exacerbate deforestation in Cambodia
Opinion
Policy & Finance
The World Bank and IMF must put a value on clean air
Air pollution is a 'silent killer', say former New Zealand PM and former WHO chief scientist.
China’s decision to ramp up spending could accelerate a shift and help achieve long-term climate goals by bringing forward the peak in fossil-fuel use and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Long a source of tension with its neighbours, China’s transboundary rivers are opening opportunities for regional cooperation.
Policy & Finance
Gender discrimination in finance holds back women – and investment
We need more women in senior roles in finance to build inclusive institutions and allocate capital more rationally and fairly.
Policy & Finance
Why standing up for domestic workers matters
Policy & Finance
COP28 outcome makes green skills business-critical
Food & Agriculture
Women bear the brunt of Asia's climate failures
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
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.
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.
