Preparing the ground for a green economy

The green economy in the context of sustainable development is one of the main issues for discussion at the upcoming Rio+20 global conference. IEEP has prepared a package of briefings to assist European Parliamentarians in drawing up their position on Rio+20. They explain the concept of a green economy, the EU’s approach to it through key policy areas, preparations for Rio+20, and the historical distinctions between green economy and sustainable development.

The briefings were prepared as part of the FP7 project KNOSSOS, which aims to strengthen the links between research and society/policy by highlighting relevant results from previous FP6 and FP7 projects. The briefings will soon be available to the public on the UNEP website.

IEEP is also working on a paper entitled ‘Nature and its role in the Transition to the Green Economy’, to be published shortly before Rio+20. The paper, commissioned by UNEP, integrates insights gained through The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) initiative with the body of work around the green economy.

It promotes the acknowledgment and integration into policy of the values of ecosystems and biodiversity, most notably in green economy strategies and development cooperation, so that associated policies, instruments and investments take nature fully into account. The paper underlines the role of nature in the transition to a green, equitable and resilient economy, highlighting nature’s contribution to well-being and development. Underlining the commitments to halt the loss of natural capital to safeguard future growth and well-being, it identifies opportunities to save money by investing in nature. A toolkit of measures is presented to respond to the value of natural capital, grouped as building blocks that pave the path towards greener economies. Written primarily by IEEP staff, the paper will benefit from input and review from a wide range of relevant stakeholders and will be presented in Rio in June.

Contact: Patrick ten Brink, Doreen Fedrigo-Fazio and Leonardo Mazza