Job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the Global North than in the Global South

Abstract A just transition to green economy sectors must be grounded in optimizing job matching, that is, suitable opportunities of aligning employers with job seekers, which is critical for meeting a zero-emissions future. However, the interaction between job matching and emission patterns remains...

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Main Authors: Shi Zhao, Quan Shao, Lei Zhang, Xia Zhou, Huaming Guo, Zhifu Mi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Communications Earth & Environment
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02230-3
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author Shi Zhao
Quan Shao
Lei Zhang
Xia Zhou
Huaming Guo
Zhifu Mi
author_facet Shi Zhao
Quan Shao
Lei Zhang
Xia Zhou
Huaming Guo
Zhifu Mi
author_sort Shi Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract A just transition to green economy sectors must be grounded in optimizing job matching, that is, suitable opportunities of aligning employers with job seekers, which is critical for meeting a zero-emissions future. However, the interaction between job matching and emission patterns remains unclear. Here we examine both historical and future trends in this interaction using a global unifying explanation with high-aggregated model. Our findings reveal national-level latitude and wealth effects. In high-latitude regions, 79% of job matching in relatively wealthy nations show a positive correlation with emissions reductions. In contrast, this trend is observed in only 10% of poorer nations located at low latitudes. Introducing the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, our projection shows global job matching will be consistently improved under SSP1-2.6, but only nations in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa will benefit under SSP5-8.5. This work provides a quantitative perspective to plan the low-carbon transition of global labor force.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2662-4435
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publisher Nature Portfolio
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spelling doaj-art-a85f592f86b34e188d474c1834e77d282025-08-20T02:17:04ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352025-04-016111010.1038/s43247-025-02230-3Job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the Global North than in the Global SouthShi Zhao0Quan Shao1Lei Zhang2Xia Zhou3Huaming Guo4Zhifu Mi5School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of GeosciencesSchool of Urban Economics and Management, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureSchool of Water Resources and Environment, China University of GeosciencesSchool of Urban Economics and Management, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureSchool of Water Resources and Environment, China University of GeosciencesThe Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College LondonAbstract A just transition to green economy sectors must be grounded in optimizing job matching, that is, suitable opportunities of aligning employers with job seekers, which is critical for meeting a zero-emissions future. However, the interaction between job matching and emission patterns remains unclear. Here we examine both historical and future trends in this interaction using a global unifying explanation with high-aggregated model. Our findings reveal national-level latitude and wealth effects. In high-latitude regions, 79% of job matching in relatively wealthy nations show a positive correlation with emissions reductions. In contrast, this trend is observed in only 10% of poorer nations located at low latitudes. Introducing the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, our projection shows global job matching will be consistently improved under SSP1-2.6, but only nations in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa will benefit under SSP5-8.5. This work provides a quantitative perspective to plan the low-carbon transition of global labor force.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02230-3
spellingShingle Shi Zhao
Quan Shao
Lei Zhang
Xia Zhou
Huaming Guo
Zhifu Mi
Job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the Global North than in the Global South
Communications Earth & Environment
title Job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the Global North than in the Global South
title_full Job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the Global North than in the Global South
title_fullStr Job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the Global North than in the Global South
title_full_unstemmed Job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the Global North than in the Global South
title_short Job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the Global North than in the Global South
title_sort job seekers have more suitable job opportunities in decarbonization in the global north than in the global south
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02230-3
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