"Why do I want green jobs to be the spearhead of future employment? If we still use old criteria with non-green jobs, the earth will get hotter," Pambudy said at the Indonesia's Green Jobs Conference (IGJC) 2026 here on Wednesday.
He added a warmer earth would trigger a chain of impacts on nature, ranging from forest fires and melting ice at the North and South Poles to rising sea levels and sinking coastal areas and islands.
Pambudy affirmed green jobs would not only open new employment opportunities, but also help save the world. One step Bappenas will take is to redefine green jobs according to Indonesia's and the world's interests, taking into account environmental conditions in the country.
"Green jobs will not only create new workers, but workers who are more environmentally friendly and who deserve higher rewards than other workers receive," he noted.
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Pambudy said if green jobs are not developed soon, it will not only be difficult for Indonesia, but for the world as well.
On the occasion, he also criticised the Economic Complexity Index for not yet taking environmental conditions and green jobs into account, expressing hope it could become a new indicator for measuring Indonesia's green jobs.
"We should not be dictated to by other countries, nor be dictated to by other organisations' classifications, making us seem as if we are bad," he said.
Previously, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie has urged all students across the country to prepare for the era of environmentally friendly jobs or green jobs in Indonesia.
In a statement here on Sunday (August 30), Christie highlighted green jobs require high cognitive ability.
Young people therefore need to be able to adapt quickly, she concluded, supported by formal education and adequate technical skills.
Related news: Deputy Minister asks students to prepare for era of green jobs
Translator: Alatas, Kenzu
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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