Skip to main content
PAGE
  • Home
  • About
    • About PAGE
    • Impact & Results
    • Governance & Strategy
      • PAGE STRATEGY 2021-2030
    • Joining PAGE
    • Tools and Services
  • Countries
    • PAGE Countries
      • Mongolia
      • Peru
      • Senegal
      • Burkina Faso
      • Ghana
      • Mauritius
      • Barbados
      • Brazil, Mato Grosso
      • China, Jiangsu Province
      • Guyana
      • Kyrgyz Republic
      • South Africa
      • Uruguay
      • Argentina
      • Guatemala
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Kazakhstan
      • Morocco
      • Thailand
    • Country Reports
    • Country Updates
    • Country News
  • SDGs
  • Resources
    • Global Thematic Resources
      • Learning for a Green Recovery
      • Macroeconomic Policymaking
        • Country starter kit
        • Video: Informing Green Economy Policy Making
        • Training Manual: Understanding & Operationalizing GE into National Development Planning
        • Integrated Green Economy Modelling Framework
        • Webinar on PAGE's Green Economy Modelling
        • Green Economy Progress Measurement Framework
        • Webinar on PAGE's Indicators for Green Economy Policymaking
      • Green Jobs
        • Green Jobs for Sustainable Development Online Course
        • Green Jobs Assessments: Just Transition
        • Green Jobs Training Guidebook
      • Inclusivity & Poverty Reduction
        • Synthesis Report: Integrated Planning and Sustainable Development
      • Green Industrial Policy & Green Trade
        • Green industrial policy: Concept, policies, country experiences
        • Practitioner's Guide to Strategic Green Industrial Policy
        • Green Economy and Trade E-Learning Course
        • Green Industrial Policy and Trade: A Tool-Box
        • Green Industrial Policy Trilogy
        • Successful Organic Production and Export E-Learning Course
      • Green Economy Learning
        • Introduction to Green Economy E-Learning Course
        • Introductory Learning Materials on Green Economy
        • Advanced Learning Materials on Green Economy
        • Guidance Note: Learning for an Inclusive Green Economy
        • Supporting learning for an inclusive green economy
        • Resource Guide of Green Economy Learning Institutions
        • Training Manuals on Indicators for Green Economy Policymaking
        • Higher Education Course on IGE Modelling
    • Outreach Material
    • PAGE 2021 Annual Report
  • News & Events
    • Events
    • News
      • Argentina News
      • Barbados News
      • Brazil, Mato Grosso State News
      • Burkina Faso News
      • China Jiangsu Province News
      • Ghana News
      • Guyana News
      • Kazakhstan News
      • Kyrgyz Republic News
      • Peru News
      • Mauritius News
      • Mongolia News
      • Senegal News
      • Uruguay news
      • South Africa News
      • Indonesia News
      • India News
    • Country Updates and Briefings
    • Newsletter
    • PAGE High-Level Side-Event at Stockholm+50
  • Contact
  • Covid-19 Hub
    • Main Page
    • Data Observatory
      • Observatory Data Updates
        • November 2020
        • October 2020
        • December 2020
    • Learning for a Green Recovery
    • Economic Recovery Tools
      • Integrated Green Economy Modelling Framework
      • Green Economy Progress Measurement Framework
      • Green Industrial Policy
      • Green Industrial Policy and Trade
      • Green Jobs Training Guidebook
      • Strategic Green Industrial Policy
      • Strategic Green Industrial Policy SUPPLEMENT
    • Support for Green & Inclusive Recovery
    • Podcast: The Green Renaissance
  • Log in

News PAGE

  • About PAGE
  • Impact & Results
  • Governance & Strategy
    • PAGE STRATEGY 2021-2030
  • Joining PAGE
  • Tools and Services
Greening Peru's Economy
April 26, 2016

Peru, 24 April 2016 - Peru has achieved significant economic growth in the ten years leading to 2014. However, this economic performance is considered unsustainable in the long term because it is based on intensive exploitation of natural resources.

The current administration sees green economy as a tool that will guide the country towards sustainable development by reconciling economic development with greater social equity and wealth distribution, while improving efficiency in the use of natural resources. As a result, the Peruvian government requested support from a joint United Nations initiative that helps countries transition to a green economy.

In late 2013, Peru became the second country to benefit from the PAGE initiative. The overall objective of PAGE in Peru is to integrate the concept of green growth into development policies through the formulation and implementation of inclusive green economy public policy proposals that will promote the efficient use of resources, environmental quality and sustainability and green jobs creation in economic sectors.

Peru now receives support from the initiative in four ways: research and knowledge creation; policy dialogue with government officials and important stakeholders; capacity building, education and training; and advisory services on green economy issues.

In 2015, PAGE supported the country in developing a roadmap to a national Green Growth Strategy, drafting a complementary Green Jobs Strategy and operationalizing it through the greening of regional youth employment plans with the objective to provide young people with job opportunities that match future economic trends.

By integrating the concept of green growth into development policies countries can promote the efficient and environmentally sound use of resources while boosting green jobs. PAGE will also help Peru, which is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, implement its bio-trade strategy.

A study conducted by UNEP showed that increasing annual biotrade in Peru by 40 per cent until 2020 would increase sales from $110 million in 2009 to $2.7 billion by 2020, creating 250,000 new jobs over the next decade and raising carbon sequestration revenues from $154m to $750m.

The study highlights how applying a green economy to the development of biotrade in Peru will not only benefit the economy but also improve human well-being, enhance social equity and protect the environment.

In May, the world's most powerful decision-making body on the environment will meet in Nairobi to discuss some of the most critical issues of our time. Under discussion at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) will be the sustainable management of natural capital, which will be a key requirement if the world is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals adopted in September. Encouraging countries to transition to a green economy with the help of partnerships like PAGE will be central to the discussion.

PAGE support in Peru also aims to create stronger synergies and links with the work of other initiatives in the country, such as the United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) to transform the forest sector so that it contributes to human wellbeing and combats the impacts of climate change.

Peru has 73.3 million hectares of forests, which equates to 60% of the Peruvian territory. Although at 0.2% its annual deforestation rate is relatively low, deforestation is the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country, and the main concern is the lack of a rational use of this resource. PAGE is undertaking modelling of policies to expand the area of sustainably managed forests, expand reforestation and improve the added value of wood exports.

In the agricultural and transport sectors, PAGE is supporting Peru through the modelling of policies to expand irrigation to small and medium farmers, as well as make resilient seeds available. To improve transportation and reduce emissions, PAGE is also supporting the modelling of policies to increase fuel efficiency, replace highly polluting public transport and increase mass transport.

Hailing the launch of the PAGE Peru initiative, the country's minister of labour and employment promotion, Ana Ethel del Rosario, said: "Peru has enjoyed high economic growth but existing environmental threats can reverse these achievements. A means to avoid these threats from becoming even more prominent is the use of clean energy with employment promotion, allowing for a structural change in labour and in production."

Read more
UNEA-2 “Forum on Partnerships for Inclusive Green Economy"
April 5, 2016


Wednesday 25 May, 2016
12:15hrs– 13:45hrs

United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2)
Nairobi, Kenya

Background and context

The event will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, during the second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) and is organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with the governments of Finland and the Republic of Korea. It will centre on a high-level panel discussion on how new and innovative partnerships can deliver on the central challenge of the 2030 Agenda: creating the conditions for sustained and sustainable economic growth, with full employment. 

The event is organized in association with the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI), the 10-Year Framework of Programmes for Global Action on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP), and the UN Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD). It is expected to attract ministers, heads of delegations, government officials, experts from multiple research fields and policymakers.

Click here to view the event's flyer.

Both the UN system and national governments have recognized that achieving the goals and targets for the 2030 Agenda will require a softening of sectoral and institutional boundaries and the embracing of a more integrated and coherent approach. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, in particular, calls for innovative partnership to build synergies across silos of expertise. PAGE exemplifies this coherent approach, by bringing five UN agencies together whose mandates, expertise and networks, when combined, can offer integrated and holistic support to countries on inclusive and sustainable growth.  

The event will draw on growing evidence that has emerged from countries about economic, social and environmental benefits that a transition to an inclusive green economy offers for advancing SDGs. The evidence is supported by a range of ‘green’ development strategies, practice and technologies that have evolved to enable prosperity for all whilst avoiding environmental degradation. So far, over 65 countries have embarked on green economy and related strategies, with 48 of them developing national green economy plans as the centrepiece of these strategies.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

Countries taking the lead in placing sustained and sustainable economic growth into the heart of their national plans and strategies are offered a platform to inspire others by sharing their knowledge, best practices and lessons learned.

There will be increased awareness among countries about the experiences of their peers on breaking down silos and deploying Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) frameworks to develop integrated approaches to sustainable development. Knowledge will also be shared on partnerships and initiatives that aspire to be “fit for purpose” and can support interested countries in achieving SDGs.

Co-hosts

  • H.E. Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of Agriculture and the Environment, Finland 
  • Mr. Kwang-Hee NAM, Deputy Minister and Commissioner of the National Environmental Conflict Resolution Commission of the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea
  • Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme

Invited panellists

  • H.E. Manuel Pulgar-Vidal Otaróla, Minister of Environment, Peru (tbc)
  • Mr. Batio Bassiere, Minister of Environment, Green Economy and Climate Change, Burkina Faso
  • Dr. Sanjaasuren Oyun, Outgoing President of United Nations Environment Assembly and Member of Parliament, Mongolia
  • Mr. Yvo de Boer, Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute 
  • Mr. Nik Sekhran, Director for Sustainable Development, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, United Nations Development Programme
  • Mr. Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director General, DG Environment, European Commission


Moderated by: H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Nigeria

Read more
Mauritius: PAGE partnership with SWITCH Africa Green
March 30, 2016

Mauritius, 15 March 2016  - PAGE is partnering with SWITCH Africa Green project (SAG) in a number of countries. The SAG project, developed and funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), aims to support African countries in their transition to an Inclusive Green Economy and promote a shift to sustainable consumption and production patterns and practices.

In Mauritius, SAG is funding six country projects and three multi-country projects that include four sectors identified in the Mauritius Green Economy Assessment produced by UNEP and PAGE in 2015: agriculture, energy, tourism, waste, and green skills development for employment in a green economy. On 15 March, a two-day SAG Project National Stakeholders Workshop took place in Mauritius, with the purpose of promoting the common understanding of SAG's objectives, as well as the required outputs of the country projects among the national stakeholders, grantees, partners and final beneficiaries, such as the SMEs.

PAGE is currently collaborating with the SAG project by providing capacity development support for some of these projects through the planned activities for green entrepreneurship and skills development.

Read more
Mongolia Mobilizes Partnerships for Green Development
March 30, 2016

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 16 March 2016 – Over 150 participants from Government, international development partners, embassies, private sector, banks, academia and civil society gathered at a high-level event on ‘Mobilizing Partnerships for Green Development’, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on March 16.

The meeting was convened by the Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance of Mongolia in collaboration with PAGE, the International Finance Cooperation (IFC), the Mongolian Bankers’ Association and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).  

In his opening speech, Mr. N. Battsereg, Member of Parliament and Minister of Environment, Green Development and Tourism of Mongolia, highlighted the importance of changing mindsets and how the country is striving for a common mission for implementing the Green Development Policy (GDP) and the Sustainable Development Vision (SDV) 2030. This will require coordination within Government as well as a broad multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral partnership. A clear, accountable and independent institutional structure would be required to drive this partnership, which is able to provide continuity over the long term as well as represent all interests groups.

Ms. S. Oyun, Member of Parliament and President of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), explained why green development is necessary for Mongolia, highlighting the environmental costs of business as usual growth. “The youth are particularly important”, she said. “They are more likely to make decisions that take into account these costs.” Ms. Oyun also stated that attitudes are beginning to change in the banking sector which is vital for overcoming skepticism within the business sector.

The presentations and discussions during the meeting centered around issues related to policy coherence between GDP and SDV, the fiscal policy framework and opportunities for green development, sustainable financing and the potential for a green credit fund. Mr. Tuyen Nguyen, from the IFC, identified the energy sector as a particularly important pressure point in achieving a green transition, citing the importance of sending market signals that can encourage the growth of renewable energy.

Mr. Angus Mackay, representing PAGE, presented several important factors for countries to consider in promoting a green economy including institutional support, knowledge and skills, high level policy guidance and financing. Mr. Thomas Erikson from the UN Development Programme summarized some of the key findings from the meeting including:

  • The importance of clear messaging to the general public on green development;
  • That more high quality analysis of the opportunities and barriers for a green economy is still needed, for example in the energy sector; and
  • Creating approaches to financing the green economy would be needed, such as the idea of a green credit fund, but equally the potential use of fiscal measures.

As a next step the MOF, MEGDT and partners will draft a partnership statement. The Ministry of Green Development and Tourism and Ministry of Finance will shortly release an official statement describing the key findings from the meeting and proposing a way forward.

 

Read more
Upcoming event: 4th Green Industry Conference, 28 - 30 June 2016, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
March 22, 2016

Titled “Innovative, Inclusive and Sustainable Industry for Smart Cities”, the fourth Green Industry Conference (GIC) will take place from 28 to 30 June 2016, in Ulsan, Republic of Korea. The Conference is jointly organized by the Ulsan Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and UNIDO, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

Click HERE to register

The Conference will explore the interdependence between industry and cities in the context of resource efficiency, green technology and eco-innovation. A special feature of the GIC will be field visits to state-of-the-art manufacturing sites in the city of Ulsan, the industrial powerhouse of Korea and a model for eco-industrial parks.

Around 500 participants including high-level government officials, representatives of the private sector, industry associations, academia and civil society are expected to take part in the event.

BACKGROUND


Read more
Training workshop on Industrial Waste Characterisation held in Mauritius
February 25, 2016

Bell Village, Mauritius, 22-23 February 2016 - A training workshop on Industrial Waste Characterization took place from the 22nd to the 23rd of February, organized by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer protection. Participants from the textile, chemical, recycling, agro-industry, seafood and printing sectors as well as public officials attended the training.

The workshop provided an overview of environmental legislation in Mauritius; opportunities for industrial symbiosis (waste generated by one enterprise sold to another enterprise); waste process flow and its analysis in waste management; assessment of data on waste generated by industrial sectors; and recycling and energy recovery practices in Mauritius.

The theoretical training was followed by one-day on-site training at each of the 25 enterprises on industrial waste characterization. Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, Disaster and Beach Management, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) provided presentations on specific themes.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection, Mr. Ashit Gungah, was present at the occasion and emphasised that the project is in line with the Government's vision to promote a green and sustainable Mauritius. Mr. Gungah underscored that the project will be beneficial for local enterprises, while adding that it is imperative for enterprises to implement clean and ecological means of production . ‘The recycling of waste and utilisation of recycled materials reduce the costs of production and contribute to the reduction of the negative impacts on the environment’, he said.

Mr. Gungah also expressed satisfaction that private sector stakeholders are taking a keen interest in the initiative. He said that operators are showing greater intent to better manage industrial wastes. The Minister noted that when it comes to capacity-building, it is vital that individuals from both the public and private sector are properly trained.


The Industrial Waste Characterisation Project

UNIDO is providing technical and financial assistance for the implementation of the Industrial Waste Characterisation Project. The project is expected to cost some EUR 60,000 and will involve three major components related to capacity building, industrial waste characterisation and policy advice.

The assistance is provided under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) initiative. PAGE is a seven year programme, implemented in some 30 countries with a view to developing national green economy policies and strategies, thereby paving the way for sustainable development.

Specifically, the project will involve capacity building on methods to conduct industrial waste characterisation, industrial waste characterisation in 25 enterprises with a view to determining business opportunities such as waste use, reuse, recycling and exchange, and appropriate review of the legislative/institutional framework for the management of industrial waste.

The project will span 22 weeks and begins on 23 February 2016. A Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection and Business Mauritius, will drive implementation of the project.

Read more
Expert workshop on modelling green growth policies held in Lima
February 25, 2016

Lima, Peru, 8-12 February 2016 - A consultation workshop with key ministries and planning institutions was held from 8 to 12 February 2016 under the auspices of the Green Growth Assessment, supported by PAGE and led by “La Universidad del Pacífico”. Participants discussed policy proposals for greening agriculture, transportation and the forestry sectors as well as possible means for implementing the policies, data availability, indicators for monitoring progress, and impact and outcomes as a holistic model. This workshop is the result of a long and wide consultation process facilitated by PAGE in which all relevant stakeholders have participated.   

For the agriculture sector, stakeholders’ discussion aimed to find “green” solutions to improve access to water, and to deal with the vulnerability of the sector to climate change and crop diseases. Provision and availability of water affect the livelihoods and the production of more than 300,000 families from small and medium farmers. Low innovation affects the sector as only 14% the agriculture area has access to high quality seeds. Green policies for improving water access for small and medium farmers include increasing public investments by 2019 to a total area of 129,200 ha under efficient irrigation systems. One measure to enhance the resilience of the sector specifically to climate change is increasing private investments on certified seeds with a higher resilience to crop diseases and the impacts of climate change.    

For combating deforestation and guaranteeing forest conservation, stakeholders highlighted the opportunities offered by the existence of degraded lands that are in an idle state. These could be used for reforestation and regeneration through productive activities, sustainable management plans, income-generating activities and to improve the quality of life for residents living in these areas, increasing the volumes of carbon sequestration. In fact, between 2001 and 2004, 749.013 hectares of forest - representing 45.3% of total deforestation in that period - were lost. Another aspect is the low value of the national forest production: only 11% of the timber production went through some process of transformation in 2012.

When discussing about the greening of the forestry sector, the workshop brought together experts from UN REDD and GGGI in Peru. UN REDD is supporting the implementation of the “National Forest Conservation Plan” with a special focus on forest conservation. GGGI’s work in Peru aims to help implement green growth by fostering the development of an economically viable forestry sector that generates socially inclusive benefits and optimal ecosystem services, while at the same time preserving natural capital. The consultation workshop created the space to discuss green solutions to the problems of high levels of deforestation in the Amazonian forest in Peru, given the low value added generated by the forestry sector despite the expanse of ​​primary forest. As the value of the forest is underestimated, numerous operators transform forestry areas to agriculture or illegal activities, generating greenhouse gas emissions, weakening the natural resources  and reducing water flows. PAGE, UN REDD and GGGI  agreed on a joint effort to further refine the green policies to be simulated with the T21 model during this exercise with the aim of better capturing the inter-sectoral connections.

On transportation, participants highlighted the pace of growth of those using private motor vehicles, especially in urban areas, which increases levels of congestion and environmental pollution. Moreover, the current public transport system is getting older, causing a poorer quality of service and, energy inefficiency with problems of safety in Lima also noted. Approximately, $500 million is lost annually in operating costs due to the inefficiencies in the urban transport system with small vehicles representing 82% of the supply of public transport. Green policies to address this problem are focused on both the improvement of the public transport system in the capital and the use of more energy efficient vehicles. 

On the final day of the workshop, the T21 model for Peru and the green policies proposed by the sectors were presented to the Ministry of Economy and Finance with the aim of encouraging a debate on the financial implications of the proposed policy changes. Once concluded, the green growth assessment will inform decision policy making processes related to the design and adoption of national and sectorial policies that will contribute to a greener, and more inclusive economic model in Peru.

Read more
Mongolia mobilizes financing for its Green Development Policy
March 16, 2016

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 16 March 2016 - The Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance of Mongolia in collaboration with PAGE have hosted a high-level meeting to mobilize commitment and financing from international and national sources for implementation of the National Long Term Sustainable Development Vision and the Green Development Policy. The event was scheduled to take place on 16 March 2016 and was expected to bring together representatives from Government, civil society, the private sector, academic and scientific institutions and development partners.

The Great Khural of Mongolia adopted the Green Development Policy of Mongolia in 2014. The Policy sets six strategic goals focused on promotion of sustainable consumption and production, sustainable ecosystem carrying capacity, increased investment in natural capital, human development and green technology, green lifestyle and green education and optimal population settlement.

In January 2016 the Government approved the Action Plan for implementation of the Policy. The Action Plan elaborates 255 activities with a timeline to accomplish by 2030. Implementation of the Action Plan will require the Government of Mongolia to mobilize 8 billion USD over the next 15 years.

Furthermore, the Long-term Sustainable Development Vision of Mongolia has also recently been approved by the Great Khural. The Vision defines the country’s priorities as the need to intensify agriculture, develop and export Mongolia’s organic brands, promote value-added final production, and attract more tourists.

The document also sets the goal to improve the quality of and access to healthcare, form a national system of lifetime education, eradicate all forms of poverty and reduce the rate of unemployment. Other objectives indicated in the document include protecting water reserves, building national capacity for climate change adaptation, developing sophisticated green urban planning, and improving waste management. 

Read more
China investing over US$2 billion in its transition to IGE
February 25, 2016

China, February 2016 - China has been a country of unprecedented growth. During the past three decades, China has not only lifted millions of citizens out of poverty with its double-digit growth rate, but has also been playing an increasing role in contributing to the world economy. For example, China’s GDP in 2014 reached US$10.35 trillion, which placed itself as the second largest economy in the world with 13% of global output (World Bank, 2016[1]) . At the same time, China has also been strengthening its quality of development and has invested significant resources in its transition to an inclusive green economy. It is true that China’s current economy still relies heavily on energy and resource consumption, but the country is committed to structural change. As indicated by the “New Normal”, China is shifting its focus from heavy industries to consumption and service industries and searching for sound and balanced growth.

China's official development strategy for green development is called Ecological Civilization[2], and there is already a strong policy framework and significant investment to support this strategy. From the Cleaner Production and the Renewable Energy Law, the mandatory energy intensity targets for local governments and companies to the newly revised Environmental Protection Law, the country has been placing significant policy attention on tackling growing environmental concerns. Up until May 2015, this consolidated effort by multiple Ministries has already attracted 14.5 billion RMB (US$2.3 billion) investment to Ecological Civilization development (Shanghai Securities News, May 8, 2015). The forthcoming 13th Five Year Plan, which is China’s national development  strategy for the year 2016-2020, will once again be centered around the development of Ecological Civilization.

Rather than just a concept, economic opportunities are also arising from green development. As well as the eye-catching renewable energy industry in China, the environmental industry has also been emerging and is becoming a new engine of growth for China. For instance, the annual revenue of the industry has soared from US$20 billion in 2010 to US$459 billion in 2010, employing 3.19 million people. (Ministry of Environmental Protection, National Development and Reform Commission and National Bureau of Statistics, 2014[3]). According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China, the action plans for the control of air pollution, water pollution and the forthcoming soil pollution, will bring 8.5 trillion RMB (US$1.37 trillion) investment to the Environmental industry (Shanghai Securities News, June 4, 2015).

To trigger larger scale concrete actions, China joined PAGE in June 2015 at the provincial level in Jinagsu. Based on China’s experience in transitioning towards an inclusive green economy and the challenges the country is facing, there are two main objectives for PAGE’s support in Jiangsu Province. Firstly, to identify and exemplify successes and good practices to inspire other provinces and countries; secondly, to identify and analyse major challenges to inclusive green economy policy implementation. Two scoping missions have been conducted by PAGE partners in 2015 to understand green development status of the province as well as priorities. A stocktaking report is under preparation and it is expected to be launched in the second quarter of 2016. Through information sharing events, PAGE has already received a good deal of interest from other provinces and cities in China committed to inclusive green economy transition. A network will be established to facilitate learning and the sharing of information to encourage more actions.

 


[1] World Bank (2016), World Development Indicators_GDP ranking (last updated: 17 Feb 2016). Available at: http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/GDP-ranking-table

[2] Ecological Civilization is defined as “a resource efficient and environmental-friendly society, based on the carrying capacity of the environment, observing the law of nature and aimed at realizing sustainable development”. Hu Jintao (2012). Report of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

[3] Ministry of Environmental Protection, National Development and Reform Commission and National Bureau of Statistics (2014), the 2011 National Environmental Protection Industry Bulletin. 

Read more
South Africa: key activities to support coordination on GE planning
February 25, 2016

South Africa, February 2016 - South Africa joined the PAGE programme in 2015, and the inception of key country programme activities is now in full swing. With the support of national partners, a Green Economy National Inventory for South Africa, Green Economy Learning Assessment, and South Africa Green Industry and Trade Sector Analysis has been initiated in February 2016. These activities were identified during the scoping phase of PAGE in South Africa, and were seen as foundational to the implementation of the programme in the country.

By undertaking a comprehensive economy-wide inventory of green economy initiatives, the Green Economy Inventory for South Africa will present a snapshot of the country’s progress towards a green economy transition. The Inventory is envisioned as an important tool to facilitate improved collaboration and coordination in support of the country’s green economy transition. The Green Economy Learning Assessment will review existing institutional capacities to provide learning on green economy and identify opportunities for action to strengthen green economy learning in South Africa. This will include the identification of priority learning needs in key sectors.

The South Africa Green Industry and Trade Sector Analysis will undertake an assessment of sectors that offer particular opportunities for green industrial development and exports. The development of a resource-efficient, low-carbon and export-oriented industry can position South Africa in the development of green technologies, reduce dependencies on imports of clean technologies and ancillary services, and  leapfrog brown technology segments. Green industry promotion can also allow for integration into value chains for environmental goods, and offer new trade opportunities that offer environmental, social and economic benefits to the South African people. These foundational activities will support improved collaboration and coordination on green economy planning, learning and implementation processes in the country – and assist in the identification of country priorities.

PAGE will also participate in the national Sustainability Week - being held in Tshwane, South Africa, from 31 May to 2 June 2016 -  a key national event which seeks to advance the green economy in South Africa through knowledge sharing across disciplines and sectors. The event will increase the national visibility and broader ownership of PAGE among key public, private and civil society actors who are already actively working towards advancing South Africa’s green economy commitments. 

Read more
March - Climate Innovation Center to Jumpstart Ghana's Green Economy
February 25, 2016

Accra, Ghana, 3 February 2016 — The World Bank Group announced the upcoming launch of a Climate Innovation Center (CIC) in Accra to support Ghana's green growth strategy. The CIC will support Ghana's National Climate Change Policy (NCCP), spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and will be financed through a US$17.2 million grant package recently approved by the World Bank Group.

PAGE also supports the NCCP through resource efficiency in agro-industries, Green Economy (GE) public advocacy and social dialogue, GE training/capacity building and GE Knowledge Sharing.

The Ghana CIC will help more than 100 local clean technology companies to develop and scale innovative solutions to climate change, and over 300,000 Ghanaians to increase resilience to climate change in the next ten years. Furthermore, through its support to local clean technology ventures, the center is expected to mitigate 660,000 tons of CO2 and contribute to the production of over 260 million kWh of clean energy. 

The center will be established at the Ashesi University College in Berekuso, with a mandate to support green businesses across all of Ghana's regions. The grant agreement was signed by Henry Kerali, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, and Patrick Awuah, Founder and President of Ashesi University College.

"The Ghana CIC solidifies the role of the private sector in helping Ghana mitigate and adapt to climate change," said Henry Kerali. "By enabling entrepreneurs and green innovators to test and scale their business models, homegrown clean technology solutions can help the country build climate resilience, while also creating jobs and fostering economic growth."

Supported by the governments of Denmark and the Netherlands, the center will be inaugurated in the second quarter of 2016 and will be managed by a consortium led by the Ashesi University College with Ernst & Young, SNV Netherlands Development Organization, and the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa.

The Ghana CIC is part of the World Bank's Climate Technology Program and its global network of Climate Innovation Centers. Other centers have been established in Kenya, Ethiopia, the Caribbean, South Africa, Morocco, and Vietnam.

For more information on the center, please visit www.infodev.org/climate or www.ghanacic.org

Read more
Launch of two Green Economy studies in Jamaica
March 23, 2016

Kingston, Jamaica, 22 March 2016 – Currently, 90 per cent of Jamaica's energy comes from imported petroleum, leaving the country vulnerable to external shocks. Improving energy efficiency and increasing the supply of renewable energy are vital to greening Jamaica's economy and making it more resilient, according to two new studies released Tuesday.

The Green Economy Scoping Study for Jamaica focuses on five key economic sectors: agriculture, tourism, construction, energy and water and sewerage, which account for more than 22 per cent of the country's GDP and more than 33 per cent of its labour force. The Vision 2030: Jamaica and Green Economy highlights the linkages between Jamaica’s existing national long-term development plan and inclusive green economy.

Daryl Vaz, Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation said: "In keeping with the global movement towards a green economy, Jamaica’s Study demonstrates that the greening of economies is a new engine of growth; that it is a net generator of decent jobs, which is a vital strategy for the elimination of persistent poverty.

"The report also seeks to motivate policy makers to create the enabling conditions for increased investments in a transition to a green economy," he added. "Notably, it reiterates the need for public private partnerships."

Leo Heileman, UNEP Director and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean said: "Jamaica is well positioned to rapidly advance to a low-carbon economy, there is strong leadership from both the government and the private sector with many innovative initiatives happening on the ground, and many key resources already in place."

The two studies recommend a series of policies that can improve resource efficiency and adaptability to climate change, create jobs, and attract investment across the economy, spearheading the transition from dependence to resilience. For example, agriculture, which employs nearly 20 per cent of the population, could become more profitable and resilient to climate change through improving and diversifying water and energy supply, investing in research and adopting sustainable practices.

The studies also outline how Jamaica's tourism industry, which accounts for 40 per cent of the country's foreign exchange earnings, could benefit from green policies. Heavily dependent on environmental quality, the tourism sector could increase profitability and boost the distribution of benefits by enhancing energy and water efficiency sector and supporting small, medium and micro-enterprises.

Jamaica has an abundant supply of uncontaminated freshwater. However, pumping large amounts of water across the country's hilly terrain requires a large amount of energy. The National Water Commission (NWC) is the single largest customer of the principal energy supplier and energy costs account for approximately 35 per cent of its operating costs. The studies recommend reducing this energy demand while increasing access to water by developing local catchment facilities, increasing water efficiency, and developing extensive waste water recycling. The recommendations build on Jamaica’s existing policies and are designed to respond to the fiscal and social conditions in the country. The studies also highlight leadership from the private sector and civil society.

The two reports were presented during the meeting Green Economy: A Tool for Sustainable Development, hosted by the Government of Jamaica, with support from UNEP, through a European Union funded project Advancing Caribbean States’ Sustainable Development Through Green Economy (ACSSD-GE).

At the launch, Minister Daryl Vaz was accompanied by Denis Lowe, the Minister of the Environment and Drainage of Barbados; Leo Heileman, UNEP Director and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jesus Baguena, Head of Cooperation of the European Union in Jamaica; Bruno Pouezat, United Nations Resident Representative to Jamaica, and Vincent Sweeney, UNEP Sub-Regional Director for the Caribbean.


NOTES FOR EDITORS

For more information please contact María Amparo Lasso, UNEP Regional Communications Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, maria.lasso@pnuma.org, (+507) 68523459.

About UNEP

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the voice for the environment within the UN system. Established in 1972, UNEP's mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. For more information, visit www.unep.org

Read more
PAGE releases four country-level Green Industry Assessments
February 1, 2016

1 February 2016 - The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) is pleased to announce the release of four country-level Green Industry Assessments. The assessments provide in-depth examinations of the role of industry in facilitating the transition to a green economy in each country. They also provide analysis of current industrial patterns and review relevant planning and policy. The assessments include recommendations for how governments can better support the transition to green industrial production.

The four assessments being released are:

• L’industrie Verte au Burkina Faso: Évaluation et perspectives de développement
• Ghana: the role of Green Industry and Trade
• Perú: la Transición Hacia Una Industria Verde: Perspectivas de la industria manufacturera
• L’industrie Verte au Senegal: Évaluation et perspectives de développement

L’industrie Verte au Burkina Faso: Évaluation et perspectives de développement
This study identifies many strengths and assets which can support and facilitate the transition to green industry in Burkina Faso, as well as many challenges which may impede progress. The study provides recommendations for how a green industry transition can succeed.
Click here to read the report

Ghana: Green Industry and Trade Assement
This assessment provides an in-depth examination of the role of industry and trade in facilitating the transition to a green economy in Ghana. The assessment reviews the multiple planning and policy regimes in place. It identifies a set of both modified and new policies to support the transition to green industrial production and trade. The report identifies further opportunities for the international community to assist Ghana to transform its economy.
Click here to read the report

Perú: la Transición Hacia Una Industria Verde: Perspectivas de la industria manufacturera
This assessment investigates the potential for green industry in Peru and provides recommendations for the creation and support of green industry as a fundamental part of the country’s transition to a green economy.
Click here to read the report

L’industrie Verte au Senegal: Évaluation et perspectives de développement
This study analyses the opportunities that Senegal has for advancing green industry as well as the obstacles that must be overcome in order to realize a green industry transition. It examines political and legislative constraints as well as technological and human capacities. It provides recommendations for how to address constraints in order to realize a green industry transition.
Click here to read the report

Read more
Paris Statement calls for Up-Scaling Learning for an Inclusive Green Economy
January 28, 2016

Paris, France, 16- 18 December, OECD Headquarters - What is green economy learning? Why do we need to invest in it? And what have we learned from existing initiatives? These questions and many others more were explored at the 1st Global Forum on Green Economy Learning which took place in December 2015 at the OECD Headquarters in Paris.

As a key outcome, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) along with PAGE, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training and over 60 other organisations have published the "Paris Summary Statement on Learning for an Inclusive Green Economy ".

Recent major agreements such as Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change have multiplied requests for up-scaling knowledge and skills development at various levels. In the wake of these international developments, more than 100 individuals representing national and international learning institutions got together at the Forum to develop a strategic approach to education and training related to an inclusive green economy (IGE). Moreover, participants examined opportunities to collaborate on new curricula and learning activities in order to initiate transformative action on the ground.

The 3-day Forum marks the starting point of a network of learning institutions and professionals that seek to advance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Deliberations resulted in the endorsement of the statement which provides principles for action and serves as a reference point to measure progress on green economy learning in the future.

While encouraging educators to influence attitudes, stimulate behavioral change and promote structural reforms, the statement provides a set of guiding principles in four inter-related areas:

(i) The meaning and value of IGE learning;

(ii) Increasing effectiveness and sustainability in IGE learning;

(iii) Promoting IGE learning at national and local level; and

(iv) Scaling up for impact.

Click here to read the Paris Summary Statement.

Read more
Mongolian Parliament and Government Policy Makers get first-hand insight to Sweden and USA on GE policies
January 27, 2016

Mongolia, 2-16 December 2015 - With the support of PAGE and the US Embassy, a study group made by Parliamentarians and government decision makers went to Sweden and the United States (2-16 December 2015). The group was led by Mr. Sundui Batbold, MP and Chairman of the Parliamentarian Standing Committee for Environment, Food and Agriculture, and included representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance as well as the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development.

The objective of the study tour was to get first-hand insights about implementing green economy policies, in particular in the areas of green buildings, resource efficiency, sustainable consumption and local green development. In Sweden, the study visit participants met over 10 people and in the USA they met nearly 60 people.

In Sweden the delegates visited the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Environment and Energy and also made an excursion to “Norra Djurgårdsstaden,” a newly built area with sustainable housing. The objective of the study tour was to get first-hand insights about implementing green economy policies, in particular in the areas of green buildings, resource efficiency, sustainable consumption and local green development.

The study visit to the United States was funded through the International Visitor Leadership Programme of the US Government. The focus of the study visit was on examining policies and actions to promote resource efficiency and green buildings. The group visited three cities: Washington DC, Boston, Massachusetts and Minneapolis, Minnesota to take part in several appointments, such as visits to the US Departments of State  and Energy, Alliance to Save Energy, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Green Building Program.

Following the study visit the visitors have proposed a number of actions to consider and implement in the future, including:

  • Take actions to collaborate with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and Ministry of Environment and Energy in the area of national sustainable development goals;
  • Initiate collaboration between Lund University, Uppsala University and Mongolian universities and initiate activities to introduce concepts on green and circular economy in the university curriculum;
  • Join 10YF Programme of UNEP, in particular green education and lifestyle and sustainable building streams.
  • Renew Mongolian building norms and standards in harmony with Eurocodes, make efforts to apply a new set of standards for the structural design of buildings and civil engineering works and learn from experiences of European countries including Sweden, Norway and Switzerland;
  • Explore opportunities for the development or purchase of a software programme that enables cost benefit analysis of building at planning, construction and operations stages;
  • Initiate collaboration with civil engineering and urban development schools in Europe and the USA to train graduate students in the fields of urban planning, civil engineering/green building and  green technology, and to strengthen skills development for building professionals;
  • Conduct a study on the possibility of processing construction waste and make construction materials for new buildings as well as the use of Tetra Pack boxes and bottles as insulation materials;
  • Conduct a study to introduce the green building certification programme ‘Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design’ (LEED) and take stepwise actions to introduce it to the construction sector of Mongolia;
  • Organise a green city planning and development forum to raise awareness among policy makers, decision makers, professionals and the public;
  • Conduct a study on the feasibility of initiating a pilot green city project.

 

Read more
Mongolia adopted Action plan for Green Development policy
January 27, 2016

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 2016 - Mongolia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and it has a vibrant democracy. Gross domestic product has doubled since 2010, although economic growth has slowed down recently. Growth rates are expected to rise again in 2016 with new mining investments, boosting employment in the mining industry and related sectors.

Mongolia was the first country to join PAGE in 2013 and is reframing its economic policies around sustainability.  In June 2014, the State Great Khural (Parliament of Mongolia) approved the Green Development Policy (GDP) for Mongolia. The GDP aims to ensure that green development becomes one of Mongolia’s fundamental goals. Furthermore, it has determined goals and objectives for green development and outlines actions to ensure these goals are achieved.

In Mongolia, PAGE has directly linked the development and implementation of the GDP, by providing technical support, fostering political commitment, and modelling economic, social and environmental implications of GDP targets.

In 2015, Mongolia took part in workshops to review Green Economy modelling; organised with its partners a National Green Economy Week, a High Level Meeting and planned work sessions during the National Forum on sustainable finance. With the support of PAGE, the Ministry of Environment, Green Development, and Tourism, Mongolia has recently developed and published a handbook “Introduction to a Green Economy”.

The on-going process towards sustainability and development plans went forward this month. In January 2016, the Government of Mongolia approved the Action Plan for implementation of Green development policy of Mongolia. Based on 6 strategic goals and 51 targets of the Green development policy the Action Plan prioritized 255 activities to be implemented in two phases; up to 2020 and to 2030. The Action Plan has incorporated many of PAGE initiatives and activities in support of Mongolia’s green development; particularly green development indicators, green jobs, green economy learning, sustainable public procurement, green building, sustainable financing and waste management. The Action Plan for implementation of Green development policy will reorient national economic development planning as well as guide sectoral policies towards inclusive and green growth.

 

 

 

Read more
Mozambique’s green growth policy development
January 26, 2016

Mozambique, January 2016 - Throughout the last few years, Mozambique has experienced at the same time both strong economic growth and persistent poverty. It has discovered large new coal and natural gas reserves while facing a declining natural resource base. It has increasingly faced the emerging challenges posed by climate change.

To respond to these challenges, the Government of Mozambique (GoM), together with the African Development Bank and other key development partners, launched in 2012 a high-level Roadmap for a Green Economy (GER). The roadmap establishes ambitious targets for Mozambique: to become an inclusive middle income country by 2030, which uses its resources rationally to preserve its ecosystems and a sustainable and effective development.

To operationalize the ambitious goals of the GER, the government prepared a Green Economy Action Plan (GEAP). Approved by the Council of Ministers on 15th October, 2013, the GEAP preparation has included the participation of all relevant ministries and other government bodies and benefited from a public consultation process, done at the national and regional levels, with inputs from regional and local authorities, civil society and private sector.

The GEAP was expected to shape the government's 5-year plan and to provide the basis for greening the National Development Strategy currently under development by the GoM. The plan is built on three pillars: sustainable infrastructure, efficient and sustainable use of natural resources and strengthening resilience and adaptability. These pillars include 15 sub-sectors and a total of 119 green growth policy options were identified through the technical review and consultative process by the GoM.

In 2015, the African Development Bank together with other development partners, namely the World Wide Fund (WWF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) published a new report: “Transition Towards Green Growth in Mozambique”. This document provides a summary of Mozambique’s green growth policy development as detailed in the GEAP developed by the GoM.

The report aims to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the country’s ‘Green Economy Action Plan’. In particular, this report elaborates on the advisory process by the Bank, reviews main findings at sector and institutional level and makes recommendations for the government on policy reform and identifies options for the Bank’s continued engagement in this agenda.

First of all, the report says the key “new financing instrument”  under the GEAP should be “a green economy investment fund, to be established with revenues from fees on extractive industry activities”. Monies raised would be invested in “a diversified portfolio of financial assets” such as shares, bonds and real estate, with income invested in green economy activities. However, the “boom” in extractive industries “poses challenges alongside opportunities,” the report says.

The document also highlights “that policies should focus in particular on projects such as mini-grids, “with a view to increasing access to sustainable energy services to peri-urban and rural populations”. This could be supported by “harnessing the country’s vast potential in hydro, solar, wind and biomass.”

The conclusions of the report underline GEAP’s challenge to come at a “crucial time when the country is faced with new development opportunities from natural resources exploration that pose critical short, medium and long-term sustainability challenges . Its breadth and thoroughness at the same time represent a tremendous challenge, which the GEAP itself acknowledges, facing institutional, informational and financial hurdles to implementation, and a process of priority setting among a range of potential policy measures. The development of the GEAP nevertheless represents a promising pathway to a greener and more inclusive Mozambique.”

 

Sources:

http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2016/january/report-urges-mozambique-to-create-green-investment-fund-for-infrastructure-/

http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Generic-Documents/Transition_Towards_Green_Growth_in_Mozambique_-_Policy_Review_and_Recommendations_for_Action.pdf

Read more
Journalist Contest Winners Announced
December 21, 2015

Peru, 16 December 2015 - On December 16 the awards ceremony for the First National "Journalist in Green Growth" Contest in Peru was held. During the event the five winners, who will be trained in Turin, Italy, by agencies of the United Nations, on issues related to green growth were announced.

THE WINNERS:

Television Category: Ivan Luyo, with "Pollution exhausts and factories" report issued by American TV.

Written Press Category: Joseph Zarate, with the report "The man who chose the forest and killed him," published in the journal Green Label.

Radio Category: Laura AVILEZ, with the "Grilled Chicken - ecological Coal" report on Radio Capital, Grupo RPP.

Digital Media Category: Pilar Celi, with the report "Peruvian women install solar panels and illuminate their communities," published in ConexiónCOP.

 SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Gisela Becerra, American journalist and TV Canal N. For her career and professional commitment to green growth in Peru.

 

 

In the student works, the prize is the opportunity to do an internship in one of the agencies of the United Nations in Lima, Peru.

THE WINNER:

Sandy Nunez of San Cristobal de Huamanga National University, with the report "Planting and harvesting rainwater."

Lee mas en español.

Read more
PAGE Week Held in Ghana
December 21, 2015

Accra, Ghana, 17-18 December 2015 - PAGE Week was held in Accra under the theme "Ghana’s Sustainable Development Agenda: Aligning Policies For Green Economy Transition”. The event, jointly organised by the Government of Ghana and PAGE, offered national actors a platform to review progress and share experiences on the transition toward a green economy in Ghana. The two day event focused on the main achievements in the country’s second year as a PAGE partner and looked at new opportunities to continue on the path towards an inclusive green economy in line with the objectives of the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDAII).

 The event was kicked off by UN Resident Coordinator  Mrs. Christine Evans-Klock, where the incredible contribution to COP21 made by Ghana was acknowledged and PAGE was highlighted as a  tool to implement CC mitigation, based on the foundation of solid assessments. The Environment Minister, Hon. Mahama Ayarig, recognised PAGE as an avenue to build on sustainable production and consumption measures, emphasising a need to change regulation and policies, as well as a change of attitude and consciousness. The first day also saw the launch of the Ghana Green Economy Assessment Report.

Read more
1st Global Forum on Green Economy Learning
December 18, 2015

Paris, France, 16- 18 December 2015 – More than 100 individuals from over 60 institutions gathered at the 1st Global Forum on Green Economy Learning to discuss global and national approaches to green economy learning and explore opportunities to exchange knowledge and collaborate with the goals of up-scaling green economy learning.

Participants in the forum included policy-makers and development partners, as well as representatives from education and training institutions, NGOs and business associations. The event was organized by the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) in collaboration with the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Read more
  • « first
  • ‹ previous
  • …
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • next ›
  • last »

         

Back to Top