- A green economy is defined as low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.
- In a green economy, growth in employment and income are driven by public and private investment into such economic activities, infrastructure and assets that allow reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy and resource efficiency, and prevention of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- If current trends continue, the global per capita use of natural resources will increase by 70 per cent by 2050.
- We must decouple economic development from environmental degradation while ensuring that the transition to green economies creates opportunities and promotes well-being for all.
The 5 Principles of Green Economy
Exploring what a green and fair economy looks like in principle – and in practice
- The Wellbeing Principle – a green economy enables all people to create and enjoy prosperity.
- The Justice Principle – the green economy promotes equity within and between generations.
- The Planetary Boundaries Principle – the green economy safeguards, restores and invests in nature.
- The Efficiency and Sufficiency Principle – the green economy is geared to support sustainable consumption and production.
- The Good Governance Principle – the green economy is guided by integrated, accountable and resilient institutions.
Partners for Inclusive Green Economies
A fast, fair, and green transition is urgently needed.
- Transforming our economies – and successfully deliver the Sustainable Development Goals – will take energy, commitment and resources beyond the scope of any organisation acting alone.
- For the past five years a set of institutions, commensurate to the scale of the challenge, has worked behind the scenes, developing trust, understanding, and knowledge.
Singapore’s green buildings (example)
- Guiding principle: resource efficiency and circularity
- Key insights:
- Singapore’s population density and natural resource constraints have accelerated the government’s adoption of innovative resource- and energy-efficiency measures. The result is a sustainable and nature-positive built environment that minimises resource use.
- Green construction materials, designs and technology incorporate circularity in the infrastructure lifecycle. Singapore Standards are in place to guide builders to maximise waste material recovery for re-use or recycling, closing material loops.
- The country has established an effective enabling environment with a combination of incentives, certifications, standards, targets and R&D initiatives.
Interactive Activity 4
Word Bank
Decouple, Well-being, Efficient, Inclusive, Low, Degradation
