The Climate Change Commission is giving its full support to the efforts of the labor department to encourage the generation of green jobs through the establishment of green industries which will help reduce the generation of greenhouse gases that is being blamed for global warming and climate change.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has organized the First Philippine Green Jobs Conference, a gathering of government, private sector, employers, workers and the youth, and aims to spread awareness on how climate change affects the world of work. The conference will be held from August 15-16, 2011 at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City.

The Commission, which is headed by President Benigno Aquino III as Chair and Secretary Mary Ann Lucille L. Sering as his Vice Chair, is co-convening the conference together with the National Youth Commission (NYC), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The GJC is being supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Conference partners include the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP).

According to Sering, the Commission has drawn up the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), focusing among others, on the promotion of climate-smart industries in partnership with the private sector, creating green jobs and sustainable livelihoods especially in the rural areas, and promoting climate-resilient and sustainable cities and municipalities.

“An investor can consult the NCCAP as they prepare their business plan. This will help them, for instance, in designing an energy-efficient office or factory,” Sering explained.

To help investors determine what green investment or project to support, Sering said that the Board of Investments has identified green projects such as the manufacture and assembly of products and equipment that will minimize pollution.

She expressed her appreciation to labor secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz for realizing the potential of the country in generating more jobs through green industries.