Green jobs and the future of work in Indonesia

Green jobs or green careers are not necessarily new terms, but this term has gained prominence in recent years as the world is becoming more focus on sustainable development and addressing climate change. The concept of green jobs is referring to the employment opportunities that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment while also promoting sustainable practices and technologies. The growing recognition of the need to transition to a low-carbon and sustainable economy has brought attention to green jobs. Governments around the world, including Indonesia, have been implementing policies and initiatives to promote green jobs and the transition to a green economy.

In Indonesia, the green jobs sector is showing positive growth and potential due to the concerted efforts to promote renewable energy and sustainability in the country. This has resulted in the emergence of various green job opportunities across sectors such as renewable energy development, energy efficiency, waste management, sustainable agriculture, and eco-tourism. For instance, the renewable energy sector has seen significant investments, leading to the creation of jobs in solar and wind power projects. Similarly, the focus on waste management has generated employment opportunities in recycling, waste treatment, and circular economy initiatives.

In 2022, Rahmat Dwi Saputra, Head of Bank of Indonesia’s (BI) Representative Office for Central Java on HRM Asia, mentioned that we need to push green investment to manage climate change which has been concerning due to extreme weather conditions. Not only to mitigate climate issues growth, the green sector will also contribute to the rising employment rate in Indonesia. Saputra highlights that investments in the green economy have the potential to create 7 – 10 times more jobs than conventional investments, due to the need for specialized expertise in the green sectors. However, to fully realize the potential of the flourishing green economy industry in the country, challenges need to be addressed.

For instance, there is a need to develop a skilled workforce to meet the demands of green jobs. Recognizing this, the Government of Indonesia, through organizations like Bappenas, is working closely with international partners such as the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on projects like the Innovation and Investment for Inclusive Sustainable Economic Development (ISED). These initiatives aim to enhance the green economy sector in Indonesia and ensure the availability of qualified workers for green jobs. In addition to further flourish green sector, the Government of Indonesia launched a Green Economy Index in 2022 to measure the accomplishment and the effectivity of Indonesia’s economy transition towards green economy. This index measurement is a manifestation of the government’s commitment in aiming and protecting the environment in the future.

In conclusion, the future of work in Indonesia is increasingly intertwined with the green economy and the concept of green jobs. The country’s commitment to sustainable development and addressing climate change has paved the way for the growth of green job opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, sustainable agriculture, and more industries. With the potential to create a significant number of jobs, the green economy holds immense promise for Indonesia’s employment rate and environmental well-being. Through further collaborations between the government, Indonesia is on a path towards a more sustainable and prosperous future, where green jobs play a pivotal role in shaping the economy and protecting the environment.