The concept ‘Green Economy’ refers to an economic system – at sub-national, national and international/global scales – that seeks to improve social and economic well-being for everyone within the ecological boundaries of the planet. A Green Economy thus strives for a balanced consideration of social, economic and environmental goals to support economic systems and practices that are resource efficient and low carbon. A transition to a green economy requires policies that are socially inclusive, that reduce environmental risks and ecological scarcities and that seek to eradicate poverty and other forms of inequity.
This working group explores the concept of ‘Green Economy’. Key questions that will be examined are for instance: How and why did this idea emerge? How has this concept been employed in political argument? How significant has this concept been for the development of new governance approaches to managing social/ecological interactions?
For more information please contact Lorraine Elliott: lorraine.elliott@anu.edu.au
Professor Lorraine Elliott
Department of International Relations
The Australian National University
Australia
More information on Green Economy:
Barbier, E. (2011). The policy challenges for green economy and sustainable economic development. Natural Resources Forum.
Bullard, N. & Müller, T. (2012). Beyond the ‘Green Economy’: System change, not climate change? Development.
Carfì, D. & Schilirò, D. (2012). A coopetitive model for the green economy. Economic Modelling.
Hamdouch, A. & Depret, M. (2010). Policy integration strategy and the development of the ‘green economy’: foundations and implementation patterns. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management.
Jackson, T & Victor, P. (2011). Productivity and work in the ‘green economy’; Some theoretical reflections and empirical tests. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions.
Krugman, P. (2010). Building a green economy. The New York Times.
Further links
Green Economy Initiative, UNEP
UNEP report on Green Economy
Coalition of NGOs, research institutes and businesses that promotes a transition to a Green Economy