Green Growth, sustainable economic growth, climate change, environment

United Kingdom 27-29 October 2009 – The international conference - Sustainable Innovation 09 - provides a platform to discuss future opportunities and challenges related to the design, development and commercialization of low-carbon innovation, technologies, products and services. Click to access their web site.

4 - 5 March 2009 – Green Industry: A Preparatory Meeting for the International Conference on Green Industry in Asia, organized by UNIDO in partnership with the Government of the Philippines, UNEP and UNESCAP was held in Bangkok. Over 50 Government and civil society participants discussed themes, documents and organization for the International Conference on Green Industry in Asia, to be held from 9 to 11 September 2009 in Manila, Philippines. The aim of the Conference will be to discuss appropriate measures for Asian economies to achieve a smooth transition to resource-efficient and low-carbon industries. The Conference will provide a forum for substantive discussions and a high-level Ministerial segment will consider the adoption of a declaration and plan of action on improving resource efficiency and greening the industry in Asia. Read more...

Green Growth Capacity Development Programme

In order to internalize green economic growth, sustainability concerns must be integrated into countries’ development strategy. To that end, the ESCAP team has decided to roll out a Green Growth Training of Trainers capacity development initiative that aims to involve country representatives on a cross ministerial level. The development effort will take off in 2009 and is generously supported by Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Read more details here.

Cebu, Philippines 18-20 September 2008 - The 3rd Policy Consultation Forum of the Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth on Green Growth and Sustainable Consumption and Production for Climate Action was a great opportunity for regional representatives to get together and discuss the details of Green Growth. Meeting outcomes, presentations and pictures from the conference are now available for your perusal. Click to read conference details and see the

The concept of cradle to cradle was invented by Dr. Michael Braungart. The German professor is using the C2C concept to help large corporations design closed loop material flows, through which it becomes possible to minimize or eliminate waste and save valuable resources. Click to read the article about C2C.

The President of the Republic of South Korea (ROK) has pledged his support for Low Carbon, Green Growth as the core of the Republic’s new vision. As addressed on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the republic of Korea, the president believes that green growth will enable Korea to take a lead in the direction of a low carbon society. Click to access the English version of the statement.

Payment for Ecosystem Services Ecosystems provide us with numerous invaluable services ranging from the provision of tangible benefits such as timber, wood, water purification and fish breeding grounds, to less tangible but crucial services such as bio-diversity banks and forests for recreation and spiritual well-being. The public and private sectors are realizing the importance of a healthy environment for sustained profit and well-being. Read more.

The Green Growth approach has been singled out in several occasions by the Secretary-General of the United Nations as the dawn of “the age of green economics” and a strategy for achieving climate change resilient societies in the Asian and Pacific region.

Bangkok December 10 2007: UN ESCAP had the very special honour of receiving the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon. During speeches in the morning and afternoon, Read their speeches here.

More events and announcements

Five Track Approach

To assist the capacity development of policy and decision makers, UNESCAP is focusing on the following five tracks as the most important policy measures to enhance green growth:

What is Green Growth?
Green Growth is a policy focus for Asia and the Pacific that emphasizes ecologically sustainable economic progress to foster low-carbon, socially inclusive development.

Sustainable Livelihoods Approach: The Social Link to Green Growth
UNESCAP’s Green Growth Programme has evolved to emphasize the Sustainable Livelihoods approach, a rights-based approach that recognizes the poor as a key stakeholder in the development process. To this end Green Growth encourages the use of participatory assessments, designed to include the concerns of vulnerable women and men in the policy planning and implementation cycle. Adopting this approach allows Green Growth to work towards win-win solutions: addressing the environment in ways which enhance opportunities for the poor to participate more fully in society, improving their quality of life.

Where Green Growth?
Green Growth is a globally relevant approach to sustainable economic growth. It is essential for Asia and the Pacific, where economic growth is the focus of a plan for continuing social progress and reducing poverty. However, volatile prices of oil and other viable natural resources require an unconventional approach to support the fast growing and export-driven economic activities in Asia Pacific. The Green Growth strategy is especially important in this region and it provides innovative solutions that are economically beneficial for all.

Why Green Growth?
Growth and development are essential tools in alleviating a lack of basic needs such as electricity, food, and sanitation. However, if a country focuses solely on economic growth it will be to the detriment of its environment. It is obvious to point out that you need an environment to have an economy; however such facts are often lost in the pursuit of economic gain. The Green Growth approach aims to put environmental issues at the forefront of policy decisions, which, in line with current issues and challenges, can not be overstated.This is why the Green Growth strategy is extremely pertinent.

How to Achieve Green Growth?
In order to achieve green growth it is crucial to change development approaches from ‘grow first, clean up later’ to a more responsible long-term attitude. Governments can promote this by encouraging economic growth with an emphasis on environmental and social consequences.