Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) Executive Director Cynthia Cruz lauded Greenpeace for its report, "Green is Gold" that looked at how renewable energy can save money and generate jobs.

“We salute the efforts of Greenpeace in coming up with the first of its kind report on the economic potential of renewable energy – particularly on the generation of jobs. The report will help develop the policy and industry response needed to fuel interest on green jobs,” said Cruz.

Cruz, who heads the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), was invited to speak at the report's launching yesterday in Quezon City.

“The report helps demonstrate the business case for green jobs, as it lays out the evidence to prove that the shift to greener options is beyond an environmental issue, but a more profitable way to move forward, providing more jobs and safer workplaces as the report suggests,” said Cruz.

Cruz was glad that more organizations have expressed interest in studying the employment dimensions of greening.

"The report is a re-affirmation of what the Institute has been saying about going green. We are glad that civil society continues to advocate for greening businesses and making workplaces safer and healthier for workers." Cruz said.

The ILS pioneered research on Green Jobs in the Philippines in 2007. Led by Cruz, the research work served as basis for the development of the Green Our DOLE program (GODP) and initiatives on green jobs by the DOLE. The Green Our DOLE Program

In 2011, it successfully conducted the 1st Philippine Green Jobs Conference with social partners.

“Since the Institute started work as early as 2007 on green jobs, we have noticed an increasing demand for research and at times even action toward greening, particularly in the last four years when the effects of climate have intensified,” noted Cruz.

In her 2007 paper “From Jobs to Green Jobs” Cruz emphasized that investing in activities that enable the economy to transition from carbon-intensive energy, minimize degradation of natural resources, maximize the efficient use of natural capital and protect humans and the planet from pollution and waste has given rise to a new demand for labor. These green investments as they are called are expected to create measurable impacts on employment as these now become the source of new green jobs.

Among the areas Cruz identified as most likely to create future jobs and skills, were investments in the renewable and alternative energy sectors.

“We look forward to initiatives like this, which will help strengthen the argument that going green does create more jobs. With this greater interest for greener employment alternatives, we are confident that we will generate more jobs that promote greener communities.

Other speakers at the launch of the report were Atty. Pedro Maniego, Chairperson of the National Renewable Energy Board, Ms. Anna Abad, Climate & Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Mr. Von Hernandez, Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

Green is Gold

The Green is Gold report highlights the benefits of renewable energy as follows: it can generate tens of thousands of jobs, save the government money in terms of tax revenue and foreign exchange savings, boost economic growth especially in vulnerable areas suffering from energy poverty, lower the cost of renewable energy for the long run by the impacting the spot market, and save customers’ money.

The report notes that the renewable energy industry as opposed to coal and other fossil fuel industries – typically have a relatively high labor intensity, which means companies spend more on hiring people; have a higher domestic content that conventional fossil fuel sectors in the Philippines; and often produce higher-value, better paying, cleaner, healthier jobs.

The ILS is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. It was created in July 1987 by virtue of Executive Order No. 257. Its research projects on green jobs are downloadable at www.ils.dole.gov.ph.

(For more information on this press release please contact Ms. Linartes M. Viloria, Chief Labor & Employment Officer, Advocacy & Publications Division, Institute for Labor Studies, Telephone Nos.: 5273490 / 5273447)