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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.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Trade liberalisation can provide access to green goods and technologies at lower cost and greater efficiency. This paper illustrates that liberalising trade in environmental goods can create new markets and export opportunities, thus supporting export-led development strategies.
 
The document figures that increased deployment of cheaper and better-quality environmental goods helps countries counter environmental degradation and climate change, facilitating the transition to a green economy. In this respect, the author notes that the greatest growth potential for environmental goods (EGs) is to be found in developing countries. Nevertheless, non-tariff barriers (usually technical regulations) hamper developing countries ability to trade in environmental goods.
 
The paper underlines that negotiations on environmental goods and services are part of the WTO Doha Round.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The Asia-Pacific Regional Human Development Report (APHDR) focuses on the need for the region to find ways to continue to grow economically, while reducing poverty and tackling climate change and environmental concerns. The report addresses climate challenges facing small island developing states (SIDS) in the region with special attention given to the least developed countries (LDCs), including Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The report assesses climate change impacts from the perspectives of mountain dwellers, delta communities, islanders, indigenous and tribal peoples and the urban poor.

This summary was prepared by Eldis.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

This report was launched at the first Global Human Development Forum which brought together high-level experts from governments, corporations, civil society and international organizations to examine the global policy changes required to ensure a sustainable future for people today and for generations to come.  The report, supported by 13 U.N. agencies, calls for a transformation to integrated policy making, where social equity, economic growth and environmental protection are approached together.   It is a contribution of governments, experts, researchers and development practitioners ahead of the ‘Rio+20’ U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development in June in Brazil where participants will come together to discuss and shape new policies and measures to promote prosperity, reduce poverty and advance social equity and environmental protection.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

This report, (March 2009) prepared by UNEP proposes recommendations, objectives and suggestions for implementing a GGND as a response to the multiple crises the world is now facing. UNEP splits its proposals into three categories; targeted stimulus spending in 2009-2010, changes in domestic policies, and changes in international policy architecture. UNEP outlines a GGND with three objectives: revive the economy and create jobs, promote sustainable growth and reduce carbon dependency and environmental destruction. Section four and the annexes look at the different green economy sectors that could be used to stimulate economic recovery and reduce environmental impact through investment in five main areas.