‘395m new jobs by 2030 if businesses prioritise nature’
We can address the looming biodiversity crisis and reset the economy in a way that creates and protects millions of jobs, said Akanksha Khatri, head of the Nature Action Agenda, World Economic Forum
If businesses around the world prioritise 'nature-positive' solutions, it could create around 395 million jobs by 2030, said a new study from the World Economic Forum.
The study titled "Future of Nature and Business Report" provides blueprints for businesses to tap into a $10.1 trillion business opportunity, focusing on industry actions that are nature-positive, meaning that they add value to nature.
"We can address the looming biodiversity crisis and reset the economy in a way that creates and protects millions of jobs," said Akanksha Khatri, head of the Nature Action Agenda, World Economic Forum.
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"Public calls are getting louder for businesses and government to do better. We can protect our food supplies, make better use of our infrastructure and tap into new energy sources by transitioning to nature-positive solutions," he added.
The report divided actions into three socio-economic systems where change can be scaled- food, land and ocean use, infrastructure and the built environment, and energy and extractives.
According to the report, "What we eat and grow makes up around $10 trillion of global GDP and employs up to 40% of the global workforce. Nature-positive solutions can create 191 million new jobs and $3.6 trillion of additional revenue or cost savings by 2030."
The report said, "Some 75% of the world's food comes from 12 plant and five animal species. Animal products provide 18% of calories but take up 80% of farmland. A more diversified diet of vegetables and fruits can create $310 billion in business opportunities annually by 2030."
It projected another 4.3 million jobs and $195 billion in business opportunities can come from precision-agriculture technologies by 2030.
The World Economic Forum report calculated, "About 40% of global GDP comes from the environment we build – office buildings, homes and transport. Nature-positive solutions can create 117 million new jobs and $3 trillion in additional revenue or cost savings by 2030."
It prescribed actions like smart buildings, smart sensors and smart waste management for nature-positive solutions which could save billions of dollars and create millions of jobs.
"The energy we produce and what we extract accounts for almost a quarter of global GDP and 16% of global employment. With energy demand growing, there is an opportunity to create 87 million jobs and $3.5 trillion in business opportunities by 2030," the report said.
