The government has set a target of creating 150,000 green jobs over the next five years.
A report titled ‘Nepal Green Jobs Mission,’ prepared by a taskforce under the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment (MoYLE), envisions economic transformation by expanding young people’s access to green jobs. It provides a framework for creating long-term and decent employment opportunities by linking environmentally friendly economic activities with job creation.
The proposed mission has identified developing green skills among young people as a key priority. It aims to identify emerging employment sectors linked to the green economy and equip young people with the skills needed to work in those sectors.
According to the MoYLE, the plan seeks to link eco-friendly investments with youth employment in areas including waste recycling, clean energy and climate-smart farming.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing the ‘Green Job Creation through Recycling and Upcycling in Pokhara Metropolitan City (GCRU)’ project.
According to the UNDP, the project aims to promote the green economy by establishing recycling and upcycling enterprises based on the circular economy model, replacing the current ‘throw-away’ approach. The initiative is expected to create more green jobs while reducing pollution and the environmental impact of solid waste.
