This publication calls for a shift away from labour- and resource-intensive production towards resource-efficient productivity. Only if changing patterns of consumption are aligned with corresponding transformations in governance systems and companies, can a real green growth transition occur. Therefore green growth needs to combine business and household strategies towards a better life for all.
This paper discusses some of the challenges and opportunities in infrastructure investment in developing countries. Infrastructure investment in emerging and developing countries will need to more than double over the next decade. This means a significant step-up in the amount of public and private finance flowing to these countries. Such investment will be crucial not only to ensure that emerging and developing countries meet their growth and development aspirations, but also to ensure that they lay the foundations for sustainable growth, which entails low emissions and resilience to climate change.
A new Development Bank for Infrastructure and Sustainable Development could provide a new channel through which developing country governments could borrow to finance economically productive infrastructure assets - whilst still remaining within prudent levels of debt. In addition, a new institution could make up for the deficiencies of the existing architecture and help catalyze the private sector investments required.
Intended to inform decision-makers in the public, private and third sectors, this policy paper finds that following a two degrees Celsius path requires radical action in both developed and developing countries and that the overall pace of change is ‘recklessly slow’. According to the authors, the transition to a low carbon and resource-efficient economy should be based on equitable access to sustainable development, as well as recognition that rich countries have a responsibility to support the transition of developing countries. This transition will involve breaking the link between growth and emissions, but not stop growth. The authors emphasise that accelerating the pace of change towards a low carbon, resource-efficient economy is both feasible and crucial, and that rapid transformative change is possible with the right incentives.
The authors criticise the rigidity of the processes under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as the behaviour and narrow-mindedness of the participants hindering progress. Additionally, they highlight the power that vested interests continue to have. Conclusions include the following:
The Inclusive Wealth Report 2012 is the first of a series of biennial reports on the sustainability of countries. It looks at the productive base of economies, based on capital assets – produced or manufactured capital, human capital, and natural capital.
The Second Environmental Performance Review of Albania takes stock of the progress made by Albania in the management of its environment since the country was first reviewed in 2002.
The Second Environmental Performance Review of Tajikistan takes stock of the progress made by Tajikistan in the management of its environment since the country was first reviewed in 2004.