'Business as usual' is not working. There is real need for a new vision.
The green economy is that vision. Creative solutions to multiple global challenges by linking people, planet and prosperity. But how do we get there?
* The Green Economy Coalition is a diverse set of organisations and sectors from NGOs, research institutes, UN organisations, business to trade unions that have come together with a vision of a resilient economy that provides a better quality of life for all within the ecological limits of the planet. Join the debate at www.greeneconomycoalition.org.
2. Investing in natural capital
A green economy is one that invests,
protects and restores our ecosystems
and biodiversity in order to secure
their services for people today and for
future generations
This means valuing the services that
natural capital provides people and
the economy; it means driving
investment towards managing our
global ecosystems, particularly to
those that the poor depend on; and it
means ensuring that communities are
able take an active role in managing
their natural systems.
3. Investing in People
A green economy is one that
allocates environmental benefits and
costs fairly to achieve a more just
and equitable society
This means committing to transparent
and affirmative action for inclusive
growth; it means ensuring the
participation of young people,
women, poor and low-skilled in a
new economy; and it means
investing in re-skilling workers and
communities as we undergo a
transition to a low-carbon economy.
4. Greening high impact sectors and services
A green economy is one that is driven
by green economic services and
industries that provide decent work
and green jobs
This means promoting equitable
ownership and workers rights in
emerging industries; it means tighter
regulation and standards on the part
of businesses and governments; and it
means creating the incentives for
innovation across the consumption-
production value chain.
5. Driving investment and financial flows
A green economy is one that will
drive investment and financial flows
towards restoring our environment
and generating a better quality of life
for all
This means reforming subsidies,
taxation and public sector financing
to meet environmental and societal
needs rather than just GDP growth; it
means driving investment towards
new private sector markets; and it
means putting an end to short-term
market speculation.
6. Improving governance and measurement
Green economic governance will
redefine 'progress' in light of
environmental and societal needs;
and make governments, businesses
and consumers more accountable to
people and to the planet
This means introducing new metrics,
beyond GDP, that measure well being
and environmental health; it means
generating long-term national action
plans for an economic transition; it
means reforming corporate
accountability standards to ensure
that bad practice is penalised and
good practice is rewarded.