Climate change has become one of the most pressing global threats to sustainable development, with consequences deeply affecting the environment, the economy, and especially the labor market. This process reduces employment opportunities, significantly increasing the risks of unemployment, migration, and social instability.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, the planet’s average temperature could rise by 2.7°C by 2100. This would lead to a decline in labor productivity and substantial economic losses. The International Labour Organization (ILO) projects that by 2030, unfavorable climate conditions could lead to the loss of up to 80 million work hours globally, equivalent to 2.2% of total working hours. These losses will primarily affect developing countries.
ILO analysis shows that more than 1.2 billion people around the world are employed in sectors directly dependent on the environment, such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and energy. Climate change leads to the depletion of natural resources, shifting planting seasons, and increased risks of natural disasters, all of which jeopardize economic activity and employment.
According to the World Bank, by 2050, more than 216 million people across various regions — including Africa, South Asia, and Latin America — will be forced to leave their homes due to climate change. This will significantly increase pressure on urban labor markets.
Climate change also impacts workers' health. Rising temperatures, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and physical stress reduce people’s work capacity. Researchers from the Lancet Countdown project noted in 2022 that climate change is already causing deaths, infectious diseases, and a decline in labor productivity. In hot countries, extreme weather has increased the number of unworkable days. In 2023 alone, the ILO estimated that 5.3% of total working time was lost in South Asia due to heat.
To counter these threats, a transition to a green economy — including the development of clean energy, sustainable construction, and green technologies — can serve as an effective solution. The ILO has highlighted that this transition could create over 24 million new jobs globally by 2030.
Tajikistan, as a mountainous country and a key water source in Central Asia, is among the nations most vulnerable to climate change.
The Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, in his speech at the First High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, emphasized this problem, noting that 93% of Tajikistan’s territory is mountainous and remains highly prone to water-related natural disasters, including rapid glacier melt.
Tajikistan, which hosts the largest glaciers in Central Asia, is now facing this crisis. Out of 14,000 glaciers that contribute up to 60% of the region’s freshwater, 1,300 have already completely melted and disappeared, with the rapid melting trend continuing. The loss of glaciers threatens not only natural heritage but also the lives of millions across the region.
It is important to highlight that about 45% of Tajikistan’s active labor force is employed in agriculture, a sector highly sensitive to droughts, floods, and changes in rainfall patterns. If climate change continues unchecked, a significant number of jobs in this sector will be lost.
In recognition of these threats, Tajikistan has launched several initiatives. Notably, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for 2022–2030 has been adopted, aiming to help economic sectors, including the labor market, adapt to new conditions. As part of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), measures are being implemented to reduce emissions and promote green employment.
It is essential to underscore that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a direct threat to employment, decent work, and human development. Both global and national actions must integrate climate policy with employment strategies, protect vulnerable groups, and develop sustainable jobs. This requires concrete actions by the international community to adapt all sectors, including the employment of citizens, to the realities of climate change.
As the Leader of the Nation, President Emomali Rahmon, stated during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, finding solutions to adapt to climate change and mitigate its negative impacts is one of the world community’s most urgent tasks.