A transition to a green economy could lift millions of people out of poverty and transform the livelihoods of many of the 1.3 billion people earning just a US$1.25 a day around the world, but only when supported by strong policies and public- and private-sector investments. Scaling up current examples of the green economy in action – particularly in developing countries – has the potential to deliver a ‘triple bottom line’ of job-creating economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusion. But targeted investments and governance reforms are needed to overcome current barriers that are preventing many poor communities from fully benefiting from a green economy.
These are the findings of a new report, Building an Inclusive Green Economy for All, launched at last month’s Rio+20 conference by the Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP), a network of bilateral aid agencies, development banks, UN agencies and international NGOs. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the only business organization involved in PEP, provided its perspectives on the concept of green economy and poverty reduction, including the accompanying policy recommendations. WBCSD President Peter Bakker co-signed signed the foreword to the report along with the heads of the other partner organizations.
The publication has been prepared by staff from Asian Development Bank, Australia (AusAid); Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Germany’s GIZ; the International Institute for Environment and Development; the International Union for the Conservation of Nature; the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; the UN Development Programme; the UN Environment Programme; the World Bank; the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute.