The concept of "green growth" became popular after the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting was held in Seoul in 2005. Today, the view that environmentally friendly investments are not cost-effective is changing rapidly and countries are making regulations to take advantage of the opportunities provided by green growth. However, this process also necessitates a green transformation.

Topics and sectors such as integrated resource management, climate-friendly agricultural practices, energy efficiency, renewable energy, low or zero-carbon transportation, eco-buildings, smart infrastructure technologies and smart grids are discussed by the countries within the scope of green growth.

Green growth has become an important issue in line with the realization of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The green economy and green growth approach focus on low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive economic activities. In this context, it aims to protect the environment and maintain the environmental quality and produce the lowest possible carbon emission in all activities.

Although this means that activities in certain sectors cannot be sustained within the scope of green growth activities, it is possible to train the workforce for new green employment areas within the framework of an approach where "no one is left behind," and it is possible to create more economic gain and employment opportunities from fossil fuel practices and activities.

Key benefits

As stated by the International Labour Organization (ILO), making economic activities more environmentally and climate-sensitive not only ensures the sustainability of natural resources but also provides significant benefits in terms of increasing energy efficiency, reducing waste and resilience as well as decreasing pollution and inequalities.

Green jobs that develop in this direction lead to more competitive, innovative, low-emission, environmentally friendly and sustainable economies and combat the negative effects of climate change.

The effects of greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation activities in the fight against climate change on economic sectors and employment are evaluated under four headings: