Green jobs in the forest sector

Despite the multiple functions that forests provide, the forest sector is not commonly perceived as a sector which creates or has a potential to create a variety of jobs. However, in a number of countries, the generally small contribution of the forest sector as a formal employer as presented in official statistics may likely be an underestimation. This is due to the fact that, in spite of the decline of the number of workers in traditional forestry operations over the past several years, mainly in Europe and North America, growing demand for “environmental goods and services” has significantly driven an increase of the number of occupations in the forest sector, in particular those related to ecosystem management and recreation. Therefore, the number of jobs attributable to forestry could be much larger than today’s estimates and is worth closer investigation. The ECE/FAO Team of Specialists on Green Jobs in the Forest Sector (ILO/ECE/FAO Joint Expert Network) undertook the analysis of the current landscape of occupations in the forest sector, in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing and potential jobs related to forests. The Team took into account the widely accepted sustainability criteria for realistic, fairly compensated, and environmentally safe jobs, and focused on identifying green forest jobs, anchored in the green economy. The study agreed that promoting green forest jobs contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and supports the achievement of a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Green forest jobs are of particular relevance to achieving SDG 1 “No poverty”, SDG 3 “Good health and well-being”, SDG 5 “Gender equality”, SDG 8 “Decent work and economic growth”, SDG 13 “Climate change” and SDG 15 “Life on Land”. The study focuses on understanding the potential of green jobs in the forest sector, one of the key sectors contributing to the transition to a green economy and, hence, sustainable development. It provides guidance on how to carry out the identification of current and anticipated skill needs for the green economy and green jobs. The information gathered was clustered in seven thematic areas: “Wood and Energy Production”, “Agroforestry and Mountain Forestry”, “Social and Urban Development”, “Forest Management, Inventory and Planning”, “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning”, “Health and Recreation”, “Education and Research”, and nineteen related fields of activity. Each of the nineteen fields of activity is described in a short summary of general skills, expertise and professions needed in that field. Furthermore, specific activities, products and services are described and job specifications are listed. The aim of the study is to provide a starting point for further analysis and discussion on the future of green forest jobs and identification of measures supporting their development.