Green Transition and Labour Migration: Drivers, Impacts and Policy Responses

Zvezdanović Lobanova, Jelena and Lobanov, Mikhail and Zvezdanović, Milan (2026) Green Transition and Labour Migration: Drivers, Impacts and Policy Responses. In: The Concept of Human Security and Its Impact on Migration. Faculty of Diplomacy and Security Milorada Ekmečića 2, Belgrade, Belgrade, pp. 51-63. ISBN 978-86-87545-55-7

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Abstract

The green transition, driven by decarbonization initiatives, is fundamentally transforming economic structures and labour markets worldwide. These changes have significant implications for human mobility, altering both the determinants and patterns of migration. This paper investigates the interplay between green transition processes and migration dynamics, focusing on underlying causes and broader socio-economic effects. As economic activity shifts from carbon-intensive industries to sectors emphasizing sustainability, renewable energy, and low-carbon technologies, employment requirements are substantially redefined. The geographic distribution of new economic opportunities often does not align with regions experiencing employment declines in traditional industries, resulting in marked regional disparities. As a result, the green transition prompts substantial outmigration from areas negatively affected and encourages in-migration to regions benefiting from investments in renewable energy and sustainable industries, thereby facilitating the redistribution of human capital. This process intensifies internal migration flows and may also increase cross-border mobility as workers respond to evolving labour market demands and seek emerging opportunities. By synthesizing existing literature and examining key transmission mechanisms, this study demonstrates the dual role of migration as both a response to and a catalyst for the green transition. The findings underscore the need to develop inclusive and balanced policies to mitigate adverse effects and support a just transition.

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