Extreme poverty persists in large parts of the world despite decades of economic growth and efforts for poverty eradication. The recent financial, food and economic crises have brought new setbacks in the fight against poverty. Initiatives aimed at greening the economy in different parts of the world have been shown to improve the quality of life, stocks and flows of natural capital, and GDP, especially the GDP of the poor.
The focus of this chapter is to determine the manner in which Aid for Trade projects and programmes can assist countries in southern and eastern Africa to mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change in moving to a green economy by focusing on green growth and sustainable development. First, a brief overview of Africa’s climate change vulnerabilities on the regional and sectoral level is provided to establish the urgent necessity for a transition to a green economy. Due to their critical importance for economic growth, development and trade in Africa, the sectors focused on are agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, and tourism. Second, the chapter focuses on the important contribution of a green economy in generating economic and environmental benefits for African economies. Third, the concept and categories of Aid for Trade are outlined, and the flow of Aid for Trade commitments and disbursements to African countries is analysed.
This paper highlights three principal areas for work on green economy indicators and the key challenges to developing a framework for metrics for a green economy. While countries require flexibility to meet their different needs and green economy pathways, the development and coordination of enabling conditions at the international level require some degree of standardization and comparability;
· Indicators of economic transformation
· Indicators of resource efficiency
· Indicators of progress and well-being
Building on the existing indicators, UNEP, in consultation with national and other international agencies and stakeholders, is developing options for measuring progress towards a green and inclusive economy.
Green economy policies, if properly designed, deliver social and economic benefits by improving resource efficiency and inducing domestic companies to innovate, which may provide them with a competitive edge – first mover advantage – vis-à-vis their competitors.
Despite the severity of the current financial and economic crisis, it cannot be allowed to distract us from addressing critical and strategic climate change and energy challenges. The energy sector produces 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions and so it must also be a key part of any strategy to reduce them.
This paper describes the most promising low-carbon technologies, their current status and the policy framework that will be necessary to achieve their widespread deployment. It also highlights what immediate steps can be taken as part of a Clean Energy New Deal.
Sustainable construction provides opportunities to address and alleviate several challenges and needs currently experienced in Gaza, including the increasing housing demand, limited availability of construction materials, insufficient energy and water provision, inadequate sanitation, as well as severe unemployment. The assessment analyses the feasibility, opportunities and challenges relating to sustainable construction in relation to the above mentioned needs and explores ways to promote green jobs.
The report summarizes the findings of a study on the challenges and opportunities for small business development and decent job creation in the waste management sector. Based on research conducted in three municipalities of Free State, South Africa, the report highlights the vulnerable situation of waste pickers and makes recommendations for better waste management. The research was commissioned by the ILO Free State SME Development Initiative and conducted by the University of Western Cape and the University of Johannesburg.
China’s economic rise has transformed the global economy in a number of manufacturing industries. This paper investigates whether China’s transformative influence extends to the new green economy. Drawing on the debate about how China is driving major economic changes in the world – the ‘Asian drivers’ debate – it identifies five corridors of influence and investigates their relevance for the wind energy industries. Starting with the demand side, it suggests that the size and rapid growth of the Chinese market have a major influence on competitive parameters in the global wind power industry. While Western firms have found ways of participating in the growth of the Chinese market, the government's procurement regimes benefit Chinese firms. The latter have made big investments and learned fast, accumulating production capabilities that have led to changes in the global pecking order of lead firms. While the combined impact of Chinese market and production power is already visible, other influences are beginning to be felt – arising from China’s coordination, innovation and financing power.