What is the Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth?
The Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth (SINGG) was proposed by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea
at the fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia
and the Pacific 2005 (MECD 2005) and endorsed by the 61st Commission Session of UNESCAP, held in May 2005. It aims to address major
policy issues for Green Growth highlighted by the Ministerial Declaration of
MCED 2005 and the Regional Implementation Plan for Sustainable
Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2006-2010.
The Seoul Initiative consists of member states and provides a regional cooperation framework for Green
Growth, taking into account the economic, social, cultural and geographical
features of the region. It also provides a framework for policy consultations, capacity-building, pilot projects and networking for the promotion of Green Growth at
the regional level.
The SINGG facilitates the implementation of the
Seoul Initiative and its activities to create a synergy between economic growth and environmental sustainability and to contribute to achieving
an economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable future for Asia and
the Pacific.
The vision of the Seoul Initiative lies on achieving environmentally sustainable economic growth in the Asia and Pacific region by promoting effective environmental policies. To achieve this goal, the Seoul Initiative has identified three targets:
Target 1: Improving eco-efficiency for environmental sustainability
Since improving ecological efficiency and ensuring environmental sustainability are policy goals broader than conventional
environmental management, which has been more focused on pollution control, this target area will require a shift in the
environmental management approach towards improving the efficiency of resource use by all stakeholders in a
society.
Target 2: Enhancing environmental performance
While improving environmental sustainability focuses more on the resource efficiency of a society as a whole, enhancing environmental
performance focuses more on improving the environmental governance of an administration. While environmental sustainability is more closely
related with resource-use efficiency, environmental performance in reducing pollution is more closely
related with production processes and regulations and standards for emissions and discharges.
Target 3: Promoting the environment as an opportunity for economic
growth and development
This target area aims to promote the positive role of the private sector in supporting economic growth
through environmental infrastructure investment, increasing demand for better-quality environmental
goods and services, research and development of environmentally sound technologies, emerging
Green Industries and new markets. This target area also aims to maximize the role of
the market and the private sector in presenting environmental regulations and demand for
improved environmental quality as an opportunity for economic growth and development, not as a
burden for the economy.
Click here for more information on the
The 4th Seoul Initiative Policy Consultation Forum
Promotion of Green Industry for Green Growth
Songdo Convencia
Incheon, Republic of Korea
11-13 August 2009
Click here for Background Paper - Promotion of Green Industry for Green Growth
Click here for Scoping Paper - Sustainable Consumption and Production in Asia and Pacific
The 3rd Policy Consultation Forum of the Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth:
“Green Growth and Sustainable Consumption and Production for Climate Action”
Shangri La Mactan Hotel
Cebu, Philippines
18-20 September 2008
Click here for background Paper - The Green Growth Approach for Climate Action
For more information on the SINGG Leadership Programme for Green Growth capacity Development please visit the SINGG website |
