Cities on track to deliver 50 million good green jobs by 2030

More than 10 per cent of all employment in these C40 Cities is green, with mayors accelerating investments in:

• Waste management: 80 per cent of jobs in the sector are now green as cities achieve universal waste collection and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill
• Transport: 32 per cent green jobs, driven by public transit expansion and electrification
• Construction: 22 per cent green jobs, fuelled by building decarbonisation
• Energy: 28 per cent green jobs, reflecting rapid shifts to clean power.

The commitment to deliver 50m good green jobs was first made at the 2022 C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires. This 2025 update is being released as mayors prepare to meet again in Rio de Janeiro, this time against the backdrop of record-breaking heat, escalating climate impacts and a shifting geopolitical landscape.

 Despite these challenges, mayors from C40 cities have driven forward climate action that is contributing to:

● Create more than 13.5 million direct green jobs, including roles in renewable energy, clean construction, and sustainable transport

● Sustain 7.6 million indirect green jobs in supply chains supporting the green economy

● Deliver tangible benefits to local residents, particularly in sectors where cities hold the most power to act, including waste management, transportation, construction and energy.

C40 mayors continue to demonstrate that urban climate action creates more jobs than business-as-usual approaches, and continued investing in workforce development programmes makes these opportunities accessible for all.

“Helping to create good, well-paid green jobs is one of the most powerful things we can do to build a fairer, greener and more resilient future,” said mayor of London and co-chair of C40 Cities, Sadiq Khan. “I’m proud that C40 cities are turning ambition into action, proving that climate leadership at the city level delivers real results, especially for our most vulnerable communities.

“Cities are at the centre of driving a just transition, and these jobs are proof that climate action benefits people and local economies”

“As we look ahead to Cop30, we must build on this momentum. Cities are leading the way, but we can’t do it alone. We need national governments and financial institutions to step up in the same way cities have and invest in the skills and jobs that will help to power a sustainable transition for all.”

 The City of São Paulo has recently been recognised as a global reference in green job creation and the implementation of innovative environmental policies. “This is an area that motivates us and to which the City Hall of São Paulo devotes significant efforts,” said mayor Ricardo Nunes.

“A prominent example is Sampa+Rural, the largest urban agriculture programme in Brazil, which successfully integrates agriculture, healthy food, and ecotourism, while also supporting local livelihoods. Launched in 2022, the programme has already identified and fostered more than 4,100 initiatives related to agriculture, ecotourism, and healthy food systems in the city.”

Mark Watts, executive director of C40 Cities added: “This is exactly the kind of leadership the world needs right now.

“While others talk, mayors are delivering tangible, measurable progress that builds a fairer, greener future. Cities are at the centre of driving a just transition, and these jobs are proof that climate action benefits people and local economies.”

Find out more at: Global Good Green Jobs.