The interconnections between climate change, environmental issues, and labor conditions are especially pronounced in the Philippines. According to the 2023 World Risk Index, the country is the most disaster-prone in the world due to its geographical location. Approximately 60 percent of its land area is classified as “hazard-exposed,” and 74 percent of its population is vulnerable to the effects of these hazards (International Monetary Fund, 2023). A separate study by the World Bank (2021) ranks Metropolitan Manila (Metro Manila) as one of the most vulnerable cities globally, with an estimated 3.4 million residents at risk of flooding. More recently, in April and May 2024, record-breaking heat waves caused severe impacts across Asia, including the Philippines, where temperatures soared above 40°C for extended periods (World Weather Attribution, 2024). This extreme heat is particularly concerning as heat waves are considered one of the deadliest types of extreme weather events. They significantly affect workers in agriculture, construction, and transport, leading to reduced income, decreased productivity, and increased health risks.
The transition to a greener economy and fostering green growth is, therefore, not merely an environmental imperative but an important step in safeguarding the Filipino workforce and ensuring sustainable economic development in the face of escalating climate challenges. This transition provides opportunities to promote environmental sustainability and social justice. If managed well, the green transition has the potential to provide opportunities for employment creation and sustainable economic growth (International Labour Organization [ILO], 2013). However, without proper planning and policies, the transition risks displacing groups in vulnerable situations and exacerbating inequalities (ILO, 2018). The ILO predicts four types of change to jobs amid the green transition which involves the inevitable shift in the skills required and tasks involved in many existing occupations.