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Stakeholder Forum

This publication aims to develop a set of green economy principles based on some of the most prominent existing principles relating to sustainable development and the green economy from the existing literature. Fifteen principles are identified that represent a consolidation of existing international agreements and more radical and forward‐thinking proposals, cutting across The Stockholm Declaration, the Rio Declaration, The Johannesburg Declaration, The Earth Charter, The One Planet Living Principles, The Green Economy Coalition, the TUC ‘Just Transition’ principles, and The New Economics Foundation.

This summary was prepared by the Division for Sustainable Development, UNDESA.
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

This report from UNESCO recognises that there are increasing social disparities and inequity in the world, alongside population growth, climate change, the deterioration and pollution of the environment, the unsustainable use of freshwater and depletion of ocean resources, as well as increasing cases of natural and human‐made disasters. The report reveals UNESCO’s vision that aims to counter the above challenges by providing a ‘new way forward’ through the development of an inclusive green society and economy. The report identifies five priority areas for UNESCO in the transition to a green economy. These are:

International Trade Centre (ITC)
United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment)
International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD)
The paper indicates that policies promoting greener and sustainable agriculture offer multiple economic, social and environmental benefits, including a number of trade opportunities. However, there are some challenges, such as the increasing demand for food, and the increasing global water stress, which will require the adoption of practices that enhance water-use efficiencies.
International Labour Organization (ILO)

The 2007 International Labour Conference report and conclusions on sustainable enterprises address several economic, social and environmental aspects which are to be taken into account in order for businesses to be sustainable. The main purpose of the present paper is to illustrate the environmental elements of a strategy towards the creation of sustainable enterprises by highlighting impacts on employment of different environmental instruments and policies.

International Trade Centre (ITC)
United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment)
International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD)
The impact of trade on a green economy transition depends in large part on how trade policies are designed and applied. This policy brief shows that trade can be an overall driver in the transition to a green economy by helping to create and strengthen markets for sustainably produced goods and services.
 
However, the author shows that this requires fostering the exchange of environmentally friendly goods and services, and increasing resource efficiency. Otherwise, if managed poorly, unrestrained trade can contribute to environmental degradation, unsustainable resource use and increased wealth disparities.
 
The paper finds that the existence of national and institutional conditions to cope with the impact of liberalisation is of great importance.