New business models can make an important contribution to the transition to green growth. While some new business models involve large firms, others are small start-up firms that seek to exploit technological or commercial opportunities that have been neglected or not yet explored by more established firms. New firms tend to engage in more radical innovation than existing firms, and scaling up new business models can therefore help reduce environmental pollution, optimise the use of natural resources, increase productivity and energy efficiency, and provide a new source of economic growth. Although the market for green goods and services is growing, the development of new business models is affected by a range of barriers, many of which can be addressed by well-designed policies.
In the context of the economies of the world becoming greener, this book provides a global and interdisciplinary overview of the condition of the world’s water resources and the infrastructure used to manage it. It focuses on current social and economic costs of water provision, needs and opportunities for investment and for improving its management. The book describes the large array of water policy challenges facing the world, including the Millennium Development Goals for clean water and sanitation, and shows how these might be met. There is a mixture of global overviews, reviews of specific issues and an array of case studies. It is shown how accelerated investment in water-dependent ecosystems, in water infrastructure and in water management can be expected to expedite the transition to a green economy. The book provides a key source of information for people interested in understanding emerging water issues and approaches that are consistent with a world that takes greater responsibility for the environment.
This working paper explores some of the drivers and challenges affecting countries’ climate compatible development (CCD) policy processes and their incentives for engaging on this agenda. The paper argues that there is not a straightforward relationship between CCD policies and outcomes such as growth, poverty and equity. There will be winners and losers, and trade-offs among social, economic and environmental goals and between long-term and short-term benefits. This makes the political and institutional dimensions of CCD particularly challenging. According to the paper, understanding and managing the political economy of CCD is essential to promoting and strengthening climate compatible development outcomes and overcoming barriers to implementation. In addition to outlining some of the key drivers and challenges of CCD strategies, the paper provides possible solutions to overcoming the identified barriers.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.
Conflict stems from and is fuelled by a variety of factors. Among these, natural resource related issues figure prominently. Since 1990, at least 17 violent conflicts have involved the exploitation of natural resources.
This report contains the findings of an investigation into the national government sustainable and green public procurement (SPP/GPP) policies and practices around the world. The policies, programmes, drivers, barriers, needs and opportunities in SPP/GPP are examined, based on an analysis of recent literature and online resources, and interviews with 20 leading experts on SPP/GPP.
La nouvelle stratégie énergétique, adoptée en mars 2009, vise à renforcer la sécurité d’approvisionnement et la disponibilité de l’énergie ainsi que son accessibilité généralisée à des coûts raisonnables. Ces objectifs seront atteints par la diversification des sources, le développement du potentiel national en ressources énergétiques notamment renouvelables, la promotion de l’efficacité énergétique et l’intégration plus étroite au système énergétique régional.