UNEP report demonstrates that environmental sustainability, economic growth and social development go hand-in-hand.
Singapore, February 21 – A new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) study launched at the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Nairobi today debunks several pervasive myths that are standing in the way of green economies globally.
The Green Economy Report contains empirical analysis and real-world examples from a team of international experts and institutions from both developed and developing countries.
The team, part of the Green Economy Initiative of the UNEP, examined a wide-range of sectors including agriculture, cities, buildings, fisheries, forests, industry, renewable energy, transport, waste management and water.
Findings from the study will be used to guide talks at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development to be held in Rio in 2012.
The report’s distinguishing feature is that it recognises natural capital in addition to human capital and financial capital, according to the head of the UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative Pavan Sukhdev.
The report concludes there is no trade-off between economic growth or social development and environmental sustainability. The false perception of this trade-off is a common factor that inhibits forward progress on environmental policies.
The authors state that strategic investment of two percent of global GDP, or $1.3 trillion, can lead to job creation and a healthy economy that is resource-efficient and low-carbon. Nearly that amount is spent currently on unsustainable subsidies in areas such as fossil fuels, pesticides, water and fisheries.
Using the report model, a green economy surpasses the expected business-as-usual annual growth rates in only 5-10 years. Such an economic model has the added benefit of avoiding risks associated with climate change, fossil fuel dependence, pollution and scarcities of food and water.
Mr Sukhdev also refuted the myth that a green economy is a luxury suitable only for the developed world. Most examples used in the study were from the developing world, he said.
Eliminating waste and increasing efficiency are crucial parts of a green economy for all countries. In the agricultural sector, for example, investments in more efficient and sustainable farming practices would increase global yields, improve soil fertility, reduce food waste and raise available nutrition levels.
The UNEP called on governments and decision-makers world-wide to take immediate steps in the transition to a green economy. Recommendations included eliminating harmful subsidies and inefficiencies, increasing international partnerships and investing in clean technology.
The following investments were proposed for each sector:
• $108 billion for greening agriculture, including on small-holder farms.
• $134 billion in greening the building sector by improving energy efficiency.
• Over $360 billion in greening energy supply.
• Close to $110 billion for greening fisheries, including reducing the capacity of the world’s fleets.
• $15 billion in greening forestry with important knock-on benefits for combating climate change.
• Over $75 billion in greening industry, including manufacturing.
• Close to $135 billion on greening the tourism sector.
• Over $190 billion on greening transport.
• Nearly $110 billion on waste, including recycling.
• A similar amount on the water sector, including addressing sanitation.
Executive director of the UNEP Achim Steiner called for increased international cooperation and technology sharing. Addressing his Kenyan hosts, he said, “There is no reason why (Africa) should have to wait any longer for the latest technology.”
Another interesting article:
Investing in sustainable tourism will stimulate the Green Economy and job creation
Singapore, February 21 – A new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) study launched at the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Nairobi today debunks several pervasive myths that are standing in the way of green economies globally.
The Green Economy Report contains empirical analysis and real-world examples from a team of international experts and institutions from both developed and developing countries.
The team, part of the Green Economy Initiative of the UNEP, examined a wide-range of sectors including agriculture, cities, buildings, fisheries, forests, industry, renewable energy, transport, waste management and water.
Findings from the study will be used to guide talks at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development to be held in Rio in 2012.
The report’s distinguishing feature is that it recognises natural capital in addition to human capital and financial capital, according to the head of the UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative Pavan Sukhdev.
The report concludes there is no trade-off between economic growth or social development and environmental sustainability. The false perception of this trade-off is a common factor that inhibits forward progress on environmental policies.
The authors state that strategic investment of two percent of global GDP, or $1.3 trillion, can lead to job creation and a healthy economy that is resource-efficient and low-carbon. Nearly that amount is spent currently on unsustainable subsidies in areas such as fossil fuels, pesticides, water and fisheries.
Using the report model, a green economy surpasses the expected business-as-usual annual growth rates in only 5-10 years. Such an economic model has the added benefit of avoiding risks associated with climate change, fossil fuel dependence, pollution and scarcities of food and water.
Mr Sukhdev also refuted the myth that a green economy is a luxury suitable only for the developed world. Most examples used in the study were from the developing world, he said.
Eliminating waste and increasing efficiency are crucial parts of a green economy for all countries. In the agricultural sector, for example, investments in more efficient and sustainable farming practices would increase global yields, improve soil fertility, reduce food waste and raise available nutrition levels.
The UNEP called on governments and decision-makers world-wide to take immediate steps in the transition to a green economy. Recommendations included eliminating harmful subsidies and inefficiencies, increasing international partnerships and investing in clean technology.
The following investments were proposed for each sector:
• $108 billion for greening agriculture, including on small-holder farms.
• $134 billion in greening the building sector by improving energy efficiency.
• Over $360 billion in greening energy supply.
• Close to $110 billion for greening fisheries, including reducing the capacity of the world’s fleets.
• $15 billion in greening forestry with important knock-on benefits for combating climate change.
• Over $75 billion in greening industry, including manufacturing.
• Close to $135 billion on greening the tourism sector.
• Over $190 billion on greening transport.
• Nearly $110 billion on waste, including recycling.
• A similar amount on the water sector, including addressing sanitation.
Executive director of the UNEP Achim Steiner called for increased international cooperation and technology sharing. Addressing his Kenyan hosts, he said, “There is no reason why (Africa) should have to wait any longer for the latest technology.”
Another interesting article:
Investing in sustainable tourism will stimulate the Green Economy and job creation
Published by Ozgur Tore - Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Increased investment in sustainable tourism can boost the sector’s contribution to economic growth, development and particularly job creation, while at the same time addressing major environmental challenges, according to the just released United Nations Green Economy Report.
Produced in partnership with UNWTO, the tourism chapter of the United Nations Environment Programme-led (UNEP) Green Economy Report demonstrates how investing in environmentally-friendly tourism can drive economic growth, lead to poverty reduction and job creation, while improving resource efficiency and minimizing environmental degradation.
Tourism is one of the most promising drivers of growth for the world economy, according to the report, but its development is accompanied by sustainability-related challenges. An investment of 0.2.% of global GDP (US$ 135 billion at current levels of GDP) per year between now and 2050 would allow the tourism sector to continue to grow steadily over the coming decades, contributing to much-needed economic growth, employment and development while ensuring significant environmental benefits such as reductions in water consumption (18%), energy use (44%) and CO2 emissions (52%) compared with a “business-as-usual” scenario, says the report.
“The conclusions of this report corroborate what we at UNWTO have long been advocating for - that the tourism sector can be a lead change agent in the transformation to the Green Economy,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “This is a landmark report. Advancing the sustainable agenda in tourism will allow the sector to strengthen its capacity to continue generating growth and creating jobs worldwide”.
To mobilize and maximize this tourism investment, the report calls for better access to tools and financing for small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, in particular from governments and international organizations through public-private partnerships. Public policies and support such as subsidies to encourage private investment in green tourism would provide the conditions for the further development of sustainable tourism. Destination planning and development strategies are considered as the first step towards the greening of tourism.
This move towards more sustainable tourism would create additional employment and revenue in local communities; respond to changing consumer demands for a more sustainable travel experience; increase competitiveness and significantly reduce operating costs for tourism businesses.
The Green Economy is defined in the report as “an economy that results in improved human well being and reduced inequalities over the long term, while not exposing future generations to significant environmental risks and ecological scarcities”.
The UNEP-led Green Economy Initiative (GEI), launched in late 2008, aims to put forward strong and convincing evidence in support of the transition to a Green Economy – one that is dominated by investment in and consumption of environmentally enhancing goods and services. Among the main GEI activities, the Green Economy Report uses macroeconomic analysis to demonstrate that greening the economy across a range of sectors, such as tourism, can drive economic growth and job creation, while tackling social inequalities and environmental challenges.
Increased investment in sustainable tourism can boost the sector’s contribution to economic growth, development and particularly job creation, while at the same time addressing major environmental challenges, according to the just released United Nations Green Economy Report.
Produced in partnership with UNWTO, the tourism chapter of the United Nations Environment Programme-led (UNEP) Green Economy Report demonstrates how investing in environmentally-friendly tourism can drive economic growth, lead to poverty reduction and job creation, while improving resource efficiency and minimizing environmental degradation.
Tourism is one of the most promising drivers of growth for the world economy, according to the report, but its development is accompanied by sustainability-related challenges. An investment of 0.2.% of global GDP (US$ 135 billion at current levels of GDP) per year between now and 2050 would allow the tourism sector to continue to grow steadily over the coming decades, contributing to much-needed economic growth, employment and development while ensuring significant environmental benefits such as reductions in water consumption (18%), energy use (44%) and CO2 emissions (52%) compared with a “business-as-usual” scenario, says the report.
“The conclusions of this report corroborate what we at UNWTO have long been advocating for - that the tourism sector can be a lead change agent in the transformation to the Green Economy,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “This is a landmark report. Advancing the sustainable agenda in tourism will allow the sector to strengthen its capacity to continue generating growth and creating jobs worldwide”.
To mobilize and maximize this tourism investment, the report calls for better access to tools and financing for small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, in particular from governments and international organizations through public-private partnerships. Public policies and support such as subsidies to encourage private investment in green tourism would provide the conditions for the further development of sustainable tourism. Destination planning and development strategies are considered as the first step towards the greening of tourism.
This move towards more sustainable tourism would create additional employment and revenue in local communities; respond to changing consumer demands for a more sustainable travel experience; increase competitiveness and significantly reduce operating costs for tourism businesses.
The Green Economy is defined in the report as “an economy that results in improved human well being and reduced inequalities over the long term, while not exposing future generations to significant environmental risks and ecological scarcities”.
The UNEP-led Green Economy Initiative (GEI), launched in late 2008, aims to put forward strong and convincing evidence in support of the transition to a Green Economy – one that is dominated by investment in and consumption of environmentally enhancing goods and services. Among the main GEI activities, the Green Economy Report uses macroeconomic analysis to demonstrate that greening the economy across a range of sectors, such as tourism, can drive economic growth and job creation, while tackling social inequalities and environmental challenges.
