Lithium to Livelihoods: Industrial Policy for Green Jobs in the Global South

The green transition could create over 24 million jobs by 2030, but the distribution of these opportunities remains skewed. Latin America holds more than half the world’s lithium, but most refining and battery production happens elsewhere. Across Africa, Asia, the Caucasus, and Latin America, the real question is not if green jobs will emerge, but where they will be located. Too many countries risk being locked into the old pattern: exporting raw materials and importing finished technologies, limiting prospects for industrial upgrading and inclusive growth. Breaking this cycle demands capital, strategies for skilling workers, managing automation, and building domestic capacity in higher-value segments of green supply chains. From Chile’s bid to capture more value from lithium to India’s solar and hydrogen push, and Kazakhstan’s renewable corridors, examples exist. The challenge is how to scale them, and whether new models of collaboration and financing can ensure the Global South is not left behind in the next wave of industrial transformation.

What is the scale of jobs that can be created by the undergoing green transition and how can it resolve some of the persistent development challenges of developing countries?

As countries put in place competitive green industrial policies, what frameworks can developing countries adopt to emerge as regional and global champions?

How can countries balance automation with job creation in renewable energy and clean technology sectors?
Speakers

Heungchong Kim, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Republic of Korea

Paul Katz, Senior Vice President, Social Wealth, Jain Family Institute, United States of America

Sheryl Foo, Head, Economic Strategy and Investments, Middle East, OCO Global, Saudi Arabia

Shuva Raha, Fellow and Lead International Cooperation, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, India

Moderator

Parul Bakshi, Fellow, Energy and Climate, Observer Research Foundation Middle East, United Arab Emirates

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