Various authors: Green jobs from a small state perspective. Case studies from Malta, Green European Foundation & Ceratonia Foundation, 2012.
Green jobs from a small state perspective. Case study from Malta provides a diverse academic analysis on green jobs.
Greening the economy will lead towards definite restructuring of our economy- Joseph Caruana
The publication, edited by Saviour Rizzo, is a contribution to the further conceptual development of green jobs in the context of Malta. It features chapters written by academic researchers with a diverse academic background. Their contributions have produced a rich publication with a wide range of perspectives.
This publication coincides with the recent publication of the National Environment Policy, under which the government has committed itself to develop a green jobs strategy by 2013 and green jobs training strategy by 2014.
It is expected that the applied research and analysis carried out in this publication will be taken into consideration throughout the implementation of the national environment policy.
The first study, ‘A civil society perspective of a sustainable energy policy and green jobs in Malta as a small EU state’, written by Michael Briguglio, Maria Brown and Diana Aquilina, shows there is support for the promotion of green jobs among civil society organisations. The interest expressed, especially from thepart of trade unions, calls for consultation and developing partnerships in the formulation of green jobs strategies.
The subsequent two studies ‘The artisan: A sustainable entrepreneur’ by Leonie Baldacchino and Christine Cutajar and ‘Older persons and green volunteering: the missing link to sustainable future?’ by Marvin Formosa assess the potential contribution of these groups in the transition to a green economy. These studies raise interest particularly as they do not fall under the typical definition of green job.
These two articles underline the need to reflect that the green economy must not be purely about the environmental pillar but must also include the social dimension.
With respect to artisans, the issues at stake are the protection and promotion of local culture and traditions through a form of sustainable entrepreneurship, while the study on older people recommends the promotion of active ageing through green volunteering.
The chapter entitled ‘The green potential to drive local innovation in the manufacturing sector: Malta a case study for a smart specialisation strategy in eco-innovation’ by Andre Damato carried outsubstantial research with representatives from the public sector, political parties, academia and civil society.
In the chapter, the author proposes a green specialisation framework strategy to overcome the limitations of small states in the promotion of green industry and eco-innovation.
In the last chapter, ‘Basic income: How it fits in the policy framework for green jobs’ Vivan Storlund argues that society should shift towards a new form of work namely, ‘meaningful work’.
To achieve this he calls for the introduction of the principle of basic income. This chapter sees the introduction of the basic income principle is a precondition to green jobs, therefore it calls for an overhaul of the current system establishing income.
Taking into consideration the wide range of research which went in this publication, two issues stand out clearly for policy makers in this field. That greening the economy will lead towards definite restructuring of our economy, therefore assistance must be provided to help individual’s to adapt. But also greening the economy must rest primarily in the hands of individuals and their communities for significant change to occur.