Green Growth, sustainable economic growth, climate change, environment

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Green Growth at a Glance

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	Deadline - 3rd October 08 With the aim of curbing global warming as much as possible and keeping the earth "cool", our partner Japan for Sustainability is calling for ideas for CO2 emission reduction. This is a unique opportunity to exchange views and network to improve your ideas! Chosen prototype projects will be reported to the global community in the hope that this will promote further innovation towards reducing CO2 emissions. Click to read details about the contest.
	Cebu, Philippines 18-19 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 will be held from 18 to 19 September 2008 in Cebu, Philippines. The forum is organized by UNESCAP in cooperation with UNEP and the Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production (APRSCP), and with generous support of the Government of the Republic of Korea. Click to read conference details.
	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.
	In the UN foreword of the United Nations Development Program's human development publication Fighting Climate Change: Human solidarity in a divided world, the General Secretary Mr. Ban Ki-moon emphasizes the importance of alternative energy sources for sustainable economic growth. He points out that a transition to green economics and green growth could turn out to be extremely lucrative and, "create new jobs, as global investment in zero-greenhouse gas energy surges..." Click to access the report.
	Deadline 10 September 08: As seen in the daily press, climate change and sustainable development issues are becoming increasingly mainstream. Recent events related to the issues surely have a profound effect on public awareness. We can also thank the media and communications sector for headlining climate change. In an effort to boost such campaigns and greening efforts, the SATTELITE is now organizing this years Green Awards. You can win!Click to read and enter the competition.
	Bangkok, April 17-18, 2008: As one of the five tracks to Green Growth UNESCAP is defining a set of eco-efficiency indicators (EEI) to assess the eco-efficiency of society and identify policy options that can improve the eco-efficiency of economic growth in the Asia and Pacific region. The Second Expert Group Meeting will take place in the UNCC in Bangkok. (Read more...)
	Japan, 21-23 April 2008: The impact of environmental change on jobs and incomes, sustainable economic growth and poverty were discussed at an ILO research conference in Niigata. The conference aims at exploring new concepts and approaches, at extracting lessons for policies and programmes, and at identifying priorities for action and at building partnerships for future work.
	Payment for Ecoystem 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.
	Bangkok Post, January 24, 2008: Countries in Asia and the Pacific urged to focus more on the concept of Green Growth: Thailand and other countries in the Asia Pacific region need to focus more on the concept of ''green growth'' by balancing economic growth with ecological sustainability, a seminar was told yesterday.
	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, the Secretary General, ESCAP Executive Secretary Ms. Noeleen Heyzer, and Mr. Rae Kwon Chung, Director of ESDD in ESCAP talked to invited guests about Green Growth, inclusive development, and the most crucial challenges facing Asia-Pacific and the world. Read their speeches here.

More events and announcements

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Green Business publication

Five Track Approach

To strengthen and build the capacity of the policy and decision makers UNESCAP is focusing on the following five tracks as the most important policy measure and tools for applying green growth:

Countries in Pursuit of Green Growth
A number of countries in Asia-Pacific are initiating the pursuit of Green Growth. Policy makers identify various opportunities to apply the Green Growth strategy – environmentally sustainable economic growth approach for their development.

What is Green Growth?
Green Growth is a policy focus. It aims to combine economic growth with environmental sustainability. Through the encouragement of environmentally sustainable economic growth, Green Growth aspires to eradicate extreme poverty in the region without compromising the environment.

Where Green Growth?
Green Growth is a globally relevant approach to sustainable economic growth. It is even more essential for Asia and the Pacific, where economic growth is the focus of a plan for continuing social progress and reducing poverty. However, rising 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. 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 consequences.

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