Green Economy and Sustainable Development

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Economic growth that prioritizes environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and social inclusion.

Economic growth that protects natural resources and ecosystems while fostering technological advancements.

A system that emphasizes reducing environmental risks, enhancing resource efficiency, and promoting low-carbon growth.

It aims to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, ensuring that development does not lead to the overexploitation of natural resources or increase pollution levels.

Encouraging practices that benefit the environment and society. It promotes renewable energy sources, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy models.

Germany and Denmark have successfully invested in renewable energy, creating jobs, reducing emissions, and transitioning to more sustainable energy systems.

Kenya's promotion of sustainable farming practices, including agroforestry, helps protect biodiversity and improve soil health while providing farmers with a stable income.

The concept of separating economic growth from environmental damage. It emphasizes efficiency, innovation, and green job creation.

A natural process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, keeping the Earth warm enough for life.

Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activities, leading to global warming.

The primary greenhouse gas, released mainly from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.

A potent greenhouse gas produced by livestock, rice cultivation, and certain industrial processes.

Emissions of greenhouse gases from various human activities, like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Improving energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles, and industries to reduce overall energy consumption and emissions.

Planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Adopting sustainable farming practices that minimize greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmental protection.

The goal is to ensure marginalized communities benefit from sustainable development in the transition to a green economy.

Global agreements, frameworks, and policies created by international organizations to promote the green economy.

An international agreement aimed at limiting global warming to below 2°C by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The process of international organizations evaluating the economic, social, and political impact of green economy initiatives.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supports countries in shifting toward a sustainable economic model, emphasizing environmental protection and resource efficiency.

Launched in 2008, the UNEP Green Economy Initiative (GEI) aims to integrate environmental sustainability into economic planning, policies, and practices, leading to a more environmentally responsible economic development.

GEI promotes resource efficiency, low-carbon growth, biodiversity conservation, and social equity, aiming for a balanced approach to economic prosperity and environmental protection.

UNEP supports green investment, which encourages funding for clean technologies, renewable energy, and sustainable industries, promoting economic growth while minimizing environmental harm.

Natural capital accounting involves valuing ecosystems and natural resources in economic decision-making. UNEP promotes this method to ensure that the depletion of natural resources is reflected in national accounts.

This economic method involves incorporating the cost of pollution into economic activities. UNEP advocates for policies, like carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, to incentivize industries to reduce emissions and adopt cleaner technologies.

Kenya, with UNEP's support, focuses on renewable energy through wind and solar projects, sustainable agriculture, and forest conservation, demonstrating a transition to a green economy.

Pollutants that don't degrade in the environment over time, persisting for long periods and causing lasting harm.

Pollutants that can be broken down or absorbed by natural processes over time. Carbon dioxide is an example, but excess amounts can lead to environmental harm.

The cost of reducing an additional unit of pollution. It typically increases as more pollution is reduced because the easiest and cheapest methods are used first.

The economic cost of the additional harm caused by an extra unit of pollution. This includes health impacts, ecosystem damage, and economic losses.

The MCC curve shows the increasing cost of reducing pollution. This indicates that reducing pollution becomes more expensive as pollution levels decrease.

The MDC curve shows the increasing damage caused by an additional unit of pollution. It indicates that the damage intensifies as pollution levels rise.

The harm caused by pollution becomes more severe and widespread as pollution increases, so the MDC curve slopes upward.

Valuation methods that use prices in markets to value environmental goods or services like clean air, water, or biodiversity. They rely on the prices of goods and services that depend on the environment.

Natural resources and ecosystem services that provide value to individuals or society, like clean water, air quality, forests, and biodiversity.

The value of a clean beach might be estimated by looking at the market price of tourism in the area.

Market prices are objective, easily available, and are often the simplest valuation method.

Many environmental goods are not traded in markets, so their value is often overlooked. Market failures may occur, and it can be difficult to accurately value non-market goods.

Government policies that encourage conservation or discourage harmful activities to influence the valuation of environmental goods. Subsidies are financial incentives, while taxes penalize specific activities.

Subsidies for renewable energy projects, such as wind or solar power, increase the market price of clean energy, encouraging investment in sustainable energy solutions.

Taxes on carbon emissions or pollution raise the cost of harmful activities, providing an economic incentive for industries to adopt cleaner alternatives.

An economic approach that prioritizes promoting low-carbon, resource-efficient, and inclusive growth while minimizing environmental damage.

The process of determining the monetary value of land based on factors like location, size, and environmental conditions.

Economic growth that is decoupled from environmental degradation. It focuses on promoting clean technologies, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.

A complex approach to evaluating the green economy that considers environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic growth. It assesses the effectiveness of policies and strategies that promote sustainability.

The location of a piece of land, often described by its address or proximity to major cities, roads, or commercial centers, is a key factor in its economic value.

The size of the land directly impacts its economic value, offering more development opportunities for larger plots.

Evaluating the environmental sustainability of a green economy involves measuring the reduction of pollution, conservation of biodiversity, and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Measuring social equity involves ensuring that the green economy benefits all segments of society, especially marginalized groups. This includes measuring job creation in green industries and addressing income inequality.

The physical features of a piece of land, like hills, valleys, or water bodies, can affect its economic value.

Environmental factors like air quality, water resources, and biodiversity can impact the economic value of land.

The availability of infrastructure like roads, utilities, and transportation networks can influence the value of land.

Every green economy strategy should be tailored to the specific needs and resources of each region.

The process of measuring the environmental impact of an activity or product throughout its lifecycle.

The interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors in sustainable development.

Using resources more efficiently to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Managing natural resources sustainably to ensure their availability for future generations.

Investing in renewable energy sources and technologies to reduce carbon emissions and pollution.

The process of adapting to the effects of climate change and building resilience to future impacts.

The equitable distribution of the benefits and costs of environmental policies and programs.

These goals set by the UN aim to address major global challenges, including environmental sustainability.

This goal ensures everyone has access to clean water, promotes water quality, and manages water resources sustainably. Think about the effects of water pollution.

This goal aims to protect oceans, seas, and marine life from pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Think about plastic pollution in the ocean.

This goal focuses on tackling climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to climate impacts. Think about global warming and extreme weather.

This goal aims to protect forests, combat desertification, and prevent biodiversity loss. Think about the role of forests in absorbing carbon dioxide.