The United Nations labor agency said Thursday it will support creation of green jobs in East Africa in order to promote environmental sustainability.

Wellington Chibebe, director for country office for Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda at International Labour Organization (ILO) told Xinhua in Nairobi that green jobs will enable the region to play a prominent role in tackling the climate change phenomenon.

“We will assist East African nations to reform their industrial, climate change and green job promotion policies arising out of recommendations of ILO to ensure they achieve environmental sustainability,” Chibebe said during the 60th annual general meeting of the Federation of Kenya Employers.

Chibebe said that with the right policies, East Africa can make a transition to a green economy with minimal disruption to livelihoods.

He noted that the region is susceptible to the effects of climate change as a significant proportion of their workforce depends on nature to eke out a living.

Chibebe noted that climate change is real and therefore organizations must change the way their conduct their business.

“All business processes should ensure that environmental sustainability is prioritized,” he added.

The ILO official said that it is possible to achieve economic development without polluting the environment.

He said that East Africa has a chance to adopt low carbon pathways even as it seeks to expand its industrial base.