The green economy… the “cornerstone” of sustainable development
The green economy aims to ensure human sustainability, but achieving this goal raises several issues related to the extent to which sustainability is applied nationally, regionally and globally. With the increasing pressure on the environment, due to the various commitments and activities in the service of the economy, especially in large industrialized countries, the concept of green economy began to emerge, which means achieving growth and a sustainable development without disrupting the ecosystem, as well as providing aid and subsidies to poor countries for the advancement of education, health and infrastructure, which does justice and equality in development. Studies by the United Nations Environment Program have also shown that the application of the green economy approach brings positive results in various sectors and that investing in renewable energies creates more opportunities than investment in traditional energy.
I- Green economy and sustainable development: from theory to practice
During the 20th century, human civilization may have undergone great leaps at all technological, industrial, economic, commercial and military levels, but all this development and progress has dried up the environment. The call for an Earth Summit in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972, then the world began to pay more and more attention to this topic, and among the most important conferences that addressed the topic of sustainable development , we mention: The Earth Summit in Stockholm (the Human Environment Summit) in 1972, the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (Environment and development) in 1992, the Earth Summit in Johannesburg (sustainable development ) in 2002 and the Rio + 20 Earth Summit (green economy) in 2012.
A- Concept and characteristics:
The word “green economy” means everything that exists in the environment, but on condition that it is its friend and does not cause it any pollution. A green economy is defined as an economy in which improving human well-being and social equality leads to a significant decrease in environmental risks and resource scarcity, and it is an economy that reduces carbon emissions and increases the efficiency of resource use. It is also one of the reasons which lead to the development and growth of mankind and an equitable distribution of resources.
The transition to green development is not an easy event and cannot be easily moved, but rather a long and arduous process. Reflection on the transition to a green economy began as a result of repeated disappointments in the global economy and the many crises it is going through, such as collapsing markets, financial and economic crises, high food prices and climatic fluctuations … The incentives for the transition to a green economy are:
1) Pay attention to rural development with the aim of reducing poverty in rural areas.
2) Take care of the water and not pollute it and rationalize its use.
3) Support the public transport sector.
4) Address the problem of solid waste and try to recycle it.
5) Work to increase sustainable investments in the field of energy and increase its efficiency.
B- Importance and advantages:
The United Nations launched a green economy initiative in 2008 which stated: “The transition to a green economy is a process of overhauling businesses and infrastructures. It can achieve better returns on investments in natural, human and economic capital. The green economy also makes it possible to integrate environmental considerations at every stage of production and consumption, correct social and economic imbalances and reduce environmental degradation.”
The dissemination of the concept of green economy expresses a new perspective on the interdependence between the economic dimension and the environmental dimension of sustainable development, as well as the social dimension, as it aims to mobilize support to achieve sustainable development by adopting a new conceptual framework which does not replace sustainable development, but rather embodies the integration of its three dimensions, economic, social and environmental. In March 2010, the United Nations Green Economy Management Team agreed that the green economy is a concept that includes a set of policies for investing in sectors important to the environment, achieving sustainable development and poverty eradication.
The green economy is of great importance and is clear for the preservation of the environment as it works to achieve sustainable development that leads to enable social justice while achieving economic prosperity, through the adoption of conscious projects sustainability such as clean production, renewable energy, organic agriculture and waste recycling while reducing harmful gas emissions. (Carbon) and fossil fuel substitution, high employment and economic growth rates, increased incomes for poor families, and efforts to narrow the gap between rich and poor.
The Rio + 20 outcome document saw the green economy as one of the important tools to achieve sustainable development. In addition, several characteristics have emerged which show the relationship between the green economy on the one hand and sustainable development on the other:
1) The green economy is a means of achieving sustainable development, but it does not replace it.
2) Green economy helps achieve integration between dimensions of sustainable development.
3) The green economy should not be used as a means of imposing trade restrictions.
4) The green economy must recognize national sovereignty over natural resources.
5) The green economy must be based on the efficient use of resources and sustainable consumption and production patterns.
(To be continued…)
