The facts are clear: Report finds EU can deliver more jobs in a green budget

9 February 2012, Palestine News Network

Brussels/Belgium-A report has just been released highlighting the potential for green job creation in the next EU budget, 2014-20. This analysis builds on previous work by the UNEP and shows that funding of sustainable infrastructures and environmental programs can create employment at a lower cost than the current Common Agricultural and Cohesion policies.

The report was commissioned by an alliance of leading environmental NGOs, and released in the European Parliament to an audience of MEPs.

Speaking on behalf of the environmental coalition, Mr Sébastien Godinot, Chief Economist with the WWF European Policy Office said, “Policy makers need to realise that by mainstreaming green investment in the next EU budget we can create more jobs and still achieve our strategic objectives”.

“In this time of austerity, citizens demand that every cent they contribute to the EU budget, works harder and delivers more for Europe. The current budget is supporting activities that run contrary to our environmental policy goals. Where is the logic in that?”

Mr Fulai Sheng, Senior Economist with the UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative, welcomed the report saying, “The findings provide much needed analysis for EU policy makers to bolster the engine of job creation”.

Despite spending nearly €1 trillion in its last budget (2007-2013), the EU has never undertaken a jobs cost benefit analysis. Even at Member State level the impact on employment is unknown.

This report, Evaluating the Potential for Green Jobs in the next Multi-annual Financial Framework addresses some of these questions.

The findings show that as it stands, a €1 billion investment in Natura 2000 can create 29,000 jobs where the same investment in CAP will only create 6,200 jobs.

A €1 billion targeted investment could also create approximately 52,700 jobs in renewable energies or 25,900 in the energy savings sectors (mainly construction).

While the EU budget represents less than 1% of European GDP, through leveraging national and private funds it can have considerable impact. It is within the grasp of the EU to deliver what is best for the environment and address the jobs deficit when preparing the next EU budget.

The coalition of international environmental NGOs that commissioned this study include WWF, BirdLife Europe, CEE Bankwatch, Conservation International, European Environment Bureau, Friends of the Earth and Transport and Environment.