According to UNEP,a green economy is a low carbon,resource efficient and social inclusive economy.It describes a pathway to sustainable development which is a long term goal.
Back in 1989 ,the green economy was actually a thing but at the time it was just coined in a pioneering report by a group of leading environmental economists.It was later revived in 2008,whereby UNEP launched its green economy initiative.
The green economy takes into consideration the environmental impacts of growth.This is a very crucial due to the impending issue of global warming and climate change.
The environmental benefits of the green economy include:sustainable management of natural assets and resources,reduced green house gases and other emissions and lastly, better adaptation to climate change and resilience to natural disasters.
Sustainable management of natural assets such as landscapes and resources like forests ensures that the resources continue to provide benefits,that is water is available to all,that forests provide ecosystem services and that soil supports agriculture.
Green growth also entails reduction,both relative and absolute of green house gases such as carbon (iv)oxide and methane together with other emissions to air,soil and water.This has significant health benefits and contributes to improving the environmental quality.
Lastly, better adaptation to climate change and resilience to natural disasters is another benefit of the green economy in the sense that environmental benefits combine to improve the physical resilience of economic and natural disasters.Wider resilience is supported by the economic and social benefits of green growth,with improved education,health and income enabling people to better adapt to and survive such events or changes.
In summary,an inclusive green economy is an alternative to today’s dominant economic model which generates widespread environmental and health risks,encourages wasteful consumption and production,drives ecological and resource scarcity and results in inequality.
The next time you think about the green economy,think of it in terms of low carbon growth,resource efficiency and social inclusivity. #towards a green economy.
Emma 