News PAGE

Green Jobs for a sustainable future in Argentina
September 30, 2019

The Green Jobs Fair took place on 6 September 2019 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and brought together over 700 young people, government, employers and private sector representatives. The Fair focused on sustainable ventures, training opportunities and a Just Transition towards a green economy. It was jointly organized by PAGE, the National Ministries of Environment, Production and Labor, the Government of the Buenos Aires City, the National Institute for Youth and other partners.

The Fair included more than 11 thematic workshops on opportunities for green jobs creation, sustainable production and responsible consumption. One of the workshops highlighted the interlinkages between Green Economy, Just Transition and the opportunities and challenges for green-jobs creation. The success of the event, made it clear that there is a great interest in learning more about green jobs and the overall transition to a green economy.

In Argentina youth unemployment is higher among those from lower income households- are affected by unemployment more than the adult population. While 26% of the youth in the lowest income quintile are unemployed, only 9% of the youth in the highest quintile are in that situation. Gender is another sign of job vulnerability: 25% of young women are unemployed compared to 15.4% of men. In Argentina, 34% of workers are in an informal sector, but if only young workers are considered, that percentage amounts to 60%.

The Green Jobs Fair was also attended by Sergio Bergman, State Secretary of Environment; Graciela Guzmán, State Secretary for Social Protection and Technological Change; Pedro Furtado de Oliveira, Country Director of the ILO Office in Argentina as well as representatives from the Trade Unions and Private Sector.

During the opening of the fair, the State Secretary of Environment–Sergio Bergman– highlighted the need to promote “changes in habits and paradigms for the creation of sustainable jobs”, with the objective that companies and entrepreneurs “are attracted to invest in the green economy".

The Director of the ILO Argentina - Pedro Américo Furtado de Oliveira referred to the findings of the Report of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work. He noted that young people demand a greater commitment from all sectors to guarantee environmentally sustainable jobs and decent work. He reflected on SDG 8: “Decent Work and Economic Growth” that aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth by increasing productivity levels and technological innovation while promoting policies that stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation.  

The event reiterated the commitment of ILO and PAGE to support Argentina’s national efforts to transition to a green economy, that is, an economy that is socially inclusive, economically strong and environmentally sustainable.

To learn more about the event, please click here.

 

Read more
PAGE India identifies priority areas for support
September 30, 2019

As one of its inception activities, PAGE India is undertaking a comprehensive stocktaking study to establish a baseline and to identify and elaborate priority areas for PAGE support. One national and three sub-National consultation workshops have taken place in the Eastern, Northern and Western Indian states during July and August.

The National workshop was conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi on August 20, 2019 to further refine the priorities identified in the sub-national consultations and to deliberate upon the national issues focusing on tools and policy solutions, specifically around SDG 12 (sustainable consumption and production) and synergies with SDG 8 (employment and economic growth).

The workshop comprised discussions on three thematic areas: i) Sustainable Consumption and Production with a Focus on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) and Eco-labels. ii) Resource Efficiency and Circularity in MSMEs and iii) Employment and Livelihoods in the Context of Just Transitions.

The thematic area of ‘Sustainable Consumption and Production with a Focus on SPP and Eco-labels’ is an important focus area as India spends around 25 per cent of the GDP on Government procurement (MOF 2018). Furthermore, public procurement itself has been used as a tool to achieve various social objectives of inclusion and empowerment in India. The key issues for discussion for this session included opportunities and challenges in Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP), increasing adoption and scaling up of green labelling and certification, rationalizing the eco-labelling regime and institutional models and regulatory measures needed for SPP and eco-labels. The session deliberated upon ways and means to increase adoption and scaling up of green labelling and certification and institutional mechanisms to bring coherence for promoting standardization in this domain, given that the eco-labelling regime spans across the government and private domains.

The thematic session on Resource Efficiency and Circularity in MSMEs discussed the current state of resource efficiency and circularity in MSME policy; Business models for circular economy and the paradigm of ‘remanufacturing’, ‘reduce’, ‘reuse’, ‘repair’, ‘refurbish and ‘recycle’; interventions in terms of technology, innovation, finance and service delivery and their implications for skills and employment. It also discussed the industrial sectors which can be most promising for focused interventions in resource efficiency and the roadmap for such interventions.

The session on Employment and Livelihoods in the Context of Just Transitions touched on issues such as the implications of ‘just transition’ and decent jobs, green skills in the farm and non-farm sectors, the possibilities and trade-offs for achieving goals of social justice in a climate resilient economy and the interventions required for generating new skills for inclusive green transitions.

Apart from the sector-specific issues, the discussions specifically dwelt upon the priority areas for IGE transition as the key interventions on which PAGE should focus for making a difference in the particular sector. The workshop emphasized the need to leverage upon the specific existing programmes of the government wherever possible. There were detailed deliberations on the stocktaking study being conducted by TERI for PAGE engagement in India.

The workshop was successful in bringing several stakeholders and decision makers on one platform. It mobilised commitments from relevant stakeholders in the sectoral and thematic areas, as well as government functionaries on PAGE, sparking deliberations on thematic areas and generating several interesting and actionable ideas for PAGE India engagement plan.

Participants were drawn from among experts on sustainable economic development, MSMEs, resource efficiency, agriculture, livelihoods, ecosystems and biodiversity; government officials; policy think-tanks; representatives from industry associations, academia and research institutions; civil society representatives and other prominent stakeholders. The workshop was also attended by senior level state functionaries including the Principal Secretary of the State of Uttar Pradesh and senior officials from central government departments.

 

Read more
MAURITIUS TOWARDS A GREENER ECONOMY
September 30, 2019
A recent study conducted by the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) and the Civil Service College of Mauritius on Green Economy Learning Assessment, has recommended the setting up of a Green economy coordination body in Mauritius, at the centralised  level. It is suggested to host such a body under the Prime Minister’s Office, to ensure that all institutions are aware of the importance of Green Economy and to consolidate actions.
...

Article by Professor Ramesh Durbarry, Director General, Civil Service College, Mauritius

 

Lessons from other countries

The Caribbean has embraced elements of a green economy for some time through regional initiatives focusing on issues such as climate change, renewable energy and sustainable tourism. More recently, national policies have been developed in several Caribbean countries as leaders and decision makers seek to support sustainable development, sustainable energy and climate resilience.

Regionally, Caribbean GE Action Learning Group (GE ALG), established in 2010, was charged with identifying and promoting ways in which a “a Caribbean green economy” can advance sustainable development

in the Caribbean. Green Economy Caribbean Political Advisory Group (GEPAG) formed in 2014 was responsible with the undertaking of research, outreach and capacity building in the public and private sectors in key areas that are needed to support different steps of a green economy transition. Countries like Jamaica has integrated GE strategies into their Vision 2030 National Development Plan, Guyana has come up with a Low-Carbon Development Strategy, Dominica has charted out an Organic Development Policy and Grenada has developed an Alternative Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, just to cite a few examples.

While definitions are useful for interpretation of the green economy concept, there has been an attempt to move beyond simple definitions of the green economy to define a set of guiding principles. These principles help to guide practitioners in the application of the green economy concept. A number of sets of green economy principles were published by a variety of organizations in the lead up to Rio+20. An analysis of eight sets of principles was conducted by the United Nations Division for Sustainable Development that year (UNDESA, 2014). It found that there is a considerable diversity of principles that have been proposed to enhance interpretation and application of the green economy. However, there is also considerable synergy amongst the different sets of principles. The list of the most common green economy principles identified in the review are shown below:

1. The green economy is a means for achieving sustainable development.

2. The green economy should create decent work and green jobs.

3. The green economy is resource and energy efficient.

4. The green economy respects planetary boundaries or ecological limits or scarcity.

5. The green economy uses integrated decision-making.

6. The green economy measures progress beyond GDP using appropriate indicators/metrics.

7. The green economy is equitable, fair and just – between and within countries and between generations.

8. The green economy protects biodiversity and ecosystems.

9. The green economy delivers poverty reduction, well‐being, livelihoods, social protection and access to essential services.

10. The green economy improves governance and the rule of law. It is inclusive; democratic; participatory; accountable; transparent; and stable.

11. The green economy internalizes externalities.

GE principles should be developed to meet the needs and vision of each country and each sector. The goal is not to simply arrive at a list of principles but to engage in discussion with stakeholders about the priorities and approaches to moving towards a green economy. It is high time in Mauritius that stakeholders engage in a concrete and structured way to identify priorities. The Prime Minister, Hon. Pravind Jugnauth, has re-iterated the commitment of the Government to reduce greenhouse gas missions by 30% by the year 2030 at the 18th Annual Session of l’Institut Francophone de la Régulation Financière (IFREFI) on 4 September 2019.

A recent study conducted by the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), under the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and the Civil Service College, Mauritius on Green Economy Learning Assessment for Mauritius, has recommended the setting up of a Green Economy coordination body at the centralized level. It is suggested that such a body be hosted under the Prime Minister’s Office, to ensure that all institutions are aware of the importance of GE and to consolidate actions.

The study on Green Economy Learning Assessment for Mauritius concludes that although some awareness on green economy issues and climate change exist among policy-makers, economic and social partners, this is far from being sufficient to allow a systematic shift towards an inclusive, green, and climate resilient economy. The full report can be downloaded at www.cscm.mu/index.php/publications. To allow for the transition to a Green Economy, the following recommendations have been made:

Strategic Vision and Planning

The main areas of competencies, which are most deficient in Mauritius, are the transformational and technical ones. Policy-makers are expected to be fully acquainted with green economy issues and climate change solutions, which can be mainstreamed in development policies. At the transformational level (i.e. ability to set priorities, and define strategic action), the desired competencies would include a clear understanding of the economic, social and environment implications of green economy actions, together with the associated challenges and opportunities that they offer. The Assessment found that transformational competencies of policy-makers in the public sector and corporate managers in the private sector on green economy and climate change issues should be enhanced.

Systematic Approach to Professional/Life-long Learning for Green Economy

Public officers at organizational and operational level are expected to implement green economy measures and policies and assess their economic, social and environmental impacts. The assessment demonstrates that a certain degree of awareness exists on green economy issues, but it is insufficient for public sector officials to effectively conceptualise, implement and monitor green programmes and projects. While green economic actions have to contribute and fit in to an overall objective of greening the economy, projects in Mauritius are designed and implemented in disconnect and on a rather ad-hoc basis. A more systematic approach to develop competencies of public officials should allow them to continuously and systematically improve their knowledge on best practices around the world, the state-of-the art solutions to greening and the challenges that could be observed during their implementation. Workshops, conferences and life-long learning/training opportunities that could lead to such transformational competencies are warranted in the rather immediate future.

Common understanding/public consensus on green economy

The assessment reveals that education and training institutions, especially universities, in Mauritius, have a pool of resources and human capacities and are well versed on green economy issues. However, the mechanisms, and most importantly, the financial resources to develop training programmes for public officers are very limited. This is an important gap in the current learning system in Mauritius.

Mauritius has made some significant progress towards a sustainable economy. In fact, the newly elected government has outlined a series of initiatives in its government programme, ‘Achieving Meaningful Change’ (GoM, 2015). A Green Assessment in Mauritius study by PAGE (2015) demonstrates that a green economy transition offers Mauritius further opportunities for sustained economic growth, energy and water savings, increased agricultural productivity and green jobs. According to the analysis in the report, green economy investments are expected to generate better economic outcomes than a business as-usual investment allocation, with GDP 6 per cent higher in the GE case relative to business-as-usual, by 2035. Therefore, the potential for higher income exists under a green economy transition.

Unless we address the shortcomings in our understanding of the Green Economy concept, we will fail towards a smooth transition to achieve green growth. Realising such growth will bring in inclusive growth, encourage innovation, provide decent jobs, create market opportunities and eradicate poverty. Mauritius should also come up with legal frameworks and regulations that encourage improved environmental and economic practices or innovations that could create new sustainable economic opportunities.

Sustainable financing of projects will be perhaps the most daunting task of any government and Mauritius is of no exception. We need a concerted effort of all stakeholders, public, private and the community, so that we understand what a green economy is all about and how we can achieve green growth for a sustainable future.

Read the oroginal article here

Read more
Using waste that would normally end up in a landfill, such as fisheries and breweries refuse, the innovative Protein from Waste initiative in Grenada is creating quality, affordable chicken feed. ©UNDP Grenada
Green, profitable, sustainable: Ecuador showcases ideas for transforming societies
September 16, 2019

By Matilde Mordt, UNDP Resident Representative Ecuador

From August 21 to 24, the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador was the environmental capital of Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2013 the Latin American Green Awards, have taken place here. This initiative recognizes the best sustainable development projects in the region and to serve as a showcase for initiatives promoting a green economy.

This event convened 2,334 initiatives where experiences were exchanged and hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, environmentalists, journalists, representatives of national and local governments, communities, and private sector were connected. It is a motivating and empowering space for those who work towards a profound transformation of our society.

The data confirm the need for this change. According to the United Nations, since 1970, humanity has lived in a permanent ecological excess with the annual demand for resources that exceed what the Earth can regenerate each year, known as its biocapacity. Today humanity uses the equivalent of 1.5 times the biocapacity of the planet. This means that we need a year and a half to regenerate what we use in just one. At the same time, the effects of climate change have intensified.

How can we promote prosperity, inclusive business and wealth creation, especially for poor people, while we are destroying the nature on which we depend for our productive capacity? Undoubtedly, it is urgent to promote new patterns of production and consumption and have a different relationship with the planet and its resources.

Beyond public policies and major international conventions, civil society and the private sector are providing solutions to achieve development that is in harmony with nature.

This is the case of ‘Wenu Mapu: Earth Friendly Paper’. This project, one of the award winners  this year,  comes from a young man who designed and manufactured a machine to produce 100 percent recycled paper. He is recycling a ton of paper every month and paying four times more to the basic recyclers than current market prices. He sells various products such as school agendas that include information on environmental care and even ‘seed paper’ that can germinate a plant.

This and other experiences have been recognized in Latin American Green Awards, which, as always, show an inspiring diversity of initiatives and commitment among the societies of the region to change.

UNDP has accompanied this effort to raise awareness and open opportunities to develop new green goods, products, and services. Nowadays, and with four UN agencies, it is promoting the Partnership for Action on Green Economy(known as PAGE), which helps countries to move towards green and inclusive economies. It also generates international discussion  about the opportunities that provides a change of paradigm, such as the the High Level Dialogue on Green Economy and Sustainable Development, held within the framework of the award.

Events such as the Latin American Green Awards are showing opportunities that are emerging mainly from the private sector and civil society in renewable energy and ecological and efficient transport systems, and water and waste management. A study reveals that the projects had an average increase of 70 percent in their sales after participating. Similarly, 71 percent of the projects have obtained additional resources, 10 projects have made their community actively involved in the development of their initiative and employability has been increased by 16 percent.

Latin America and the Caribbean is a ‘superpower’ in biodiversity and should seize this opportunity to improve livelihoods and resilience and reduce poverty and inequality. Reforms in public policies and governance can make livelihoods based on environmental assets more profitable.

If we really want to change established models, transform the reality of the region and the planet and build inclusive, peaceful and prosperous societies, we must pay more attention to the impact that humanity is having on the environment. We have resources, knowledge, and capabilities to change production models and ensure that each person lives with dignity and is not left behind.

To read the original article, click here. 

Read more
A satellite image released by NASA shows the active fires that have been detected in the Amazon region. Credits: EPA
The Amazon rainforest is burning, but it is food price profiteering that really swings the axe
September 2, 2019

By Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UN Environment

The Amazon rainforest, this wonder of nature sprawling across nine countries in Latin America, holds a special place on this planet.

Faced with stark climate and biodiversity crises, we cannot afford more damage to it – or to human health from the haze that hangs over communities and cities. We must help Brazil extinguish these fires and offer long-term support to prevent further illegal deforestation.

To get the job done, it is important to understand that while fires are burning in record numbers, they happen every year. The blazes and wider deforestation are driven by demand for agricultural land to meet the growing global demand for beef and animal feed. Rising global temperatures are also an exacerbating factor.

There is a lot Brazil itself can quickly do once it has dealt with the immediate crisis of extinguishing the blazes. The country has a strong historical tradition of protecting the Amazon; in fact, between 2004 and 2012, Brazil managed to reduce deforestation by over 80 per cent. Yet since then we have gone backwards. In the immediate term, we need to do three key things.

Firstly, it is time to return to stronger enforcement. More than 100 countries including Brazil have legislation enshrining the right to a healthy environment. But it is useless if it is not enforced properly. The message needs to be sent actions that destroy our natural world will not be tolerated.

Secondly, recent global assessments have shown that indigenous communities living close to nature are far better stewards of the forests and land. It is essential that they are given more control and their rights are protected. This way our vital ecosystems will be stewarded effectively.

Offering incentives to landowners and farmers – such as payments for conservation – has also worked. The international community and private sector have a clear role to play here. The Sustainable Commodities Facility is one route to provide finance to Brazilian farmers to grow soy on already cleared land instead of causing more deforestation.

But the Amazon is just one piece of the puzzle. Just as the rainforest is a haven for biodiversity and a natural defence against global warming, so too are the Congo Basin and Indonesian rainforests. 

Wildfires are raging across Indonesia, as they do regularly. According to an analysis of satellite data run by the UNEPGRID centre in Geneva, there were more fires burning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola than Brazil between 19 and 26 August.

Protecting mega forests is clearly a global imperative. And the biggest positive action we could take is to reform the global food systems that are driving the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, water insecurity, and soil and water pollution.

Agriculture and related land-use change are responsible for over 70 per cent of tropical deforestation and around one quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. 

Brazil’s drop in deforestation ended when commodity prices increased, demonstrating a clear link to the production and export of soy, beef and, to a lesser extent, ethanol/sugarcane. Increases in commodity prices have always led to more land grabbing globally. They have been a major driver of the Indonesian fires since the early 1980s.

We can break this cycle.

The private sector must step up, adopting zero-deforestation and sustainable commodity supply chain targets. Governments need to shift to more long-term public policies for sustainable agricultural production, integrated land-use planning at the national scale and sustainability standards. And citizens should continue to stand up and demand more responsible environmental policies from their governments – and their right to do so must be protected.

If we used all of the food we produced – we currently waste or lose about one-third – there would be less need to clear land. By switching to more sustainable proteins and a more plant-based diet, we can reduce the global demand for meat. Our actions on an individual level are important.

As we head towards 2020 – a crucial year in which the Paris Agreement will hit full stride, we need to remember the heart-breaking images of this natural wonder ablaze and do everything in our power to change our relationship with nature before it is too late.

 

Read more
How waste management systems can be transformed into circular economy accelerators
September 2, 2019

Management of solid waste is a daunting challenge globally but increasingly offers an opportunity to advance the circular economy agenda. With the aim of strengthening decision making and institutional quality of the integrated management of urban solid waste, the Second International Congress on Integral Management of Urban Solid Waste (GIRSU) was organized on 12-14 June 2019 in Argentina.

Contributions of PAGE to the event helped to place the inclusive green economy thinking in the center of the discussions and to make a case for seizing opportunities for green jobs. The National PAGE Coordinator of Argentina, Mr. Joaquín Etorena, while addressing the panel on “Strengthening of the Integrated Solid Waste Management sector, Opportunities and challenges of a just transition towards a Green Economy in Argentina” shared insights from PAGE work. Discussions at the event contributed to develop a joint vision on how the solid waste management system can be transformed into a circular economy without posing a risk to the jobs. 

The session on just transition towards a Green Economy highlighted that there is a high degree of informality in the recycling sector. Participants highlighted that transition to an integrated system of the circular economy may imply profound changes that will bring social consequences, such as the risk of losing some jobs. While acknowledging this risk, PAGE shared ideas on how the transition could bring the possibility of creating new opportunities and improving employment conditions while addressing sustainability and social inequality challenges. Participants underlined the importance of improved quality of education and development of new professional skills to overcome challenges of low productivity, lack of opportunities and youth unemployment. 

Throughout the discussion, social dialogue was identified as a key element for a just and fast transition towards sustainable development. In the context of solid urban waste, participants agreed that i) new legislation needs to be discussed in multistakeholder for a, ii) the vision for transition must pay special attention to generating new opportunities for those who are engaged in recycling of materials, and iii) role of cooperative economic schemes should be duly recognized for its contribution to decent job-creation in green sectors. Other factors and challenges discussed included: i) technological changes, ii) the need to reskill the labour force, iii) need for stimulus to accelerate innovation, iv) urgency of investment in necessary infrastructure, and v) development of value chains associated with the emergence of new sectors.  

Participants at the conference concluded that developing green economies has a positive net effect on employment in terms of quantity and quality. They highlighted that a paradigm shift from a linear economy model to a circular model is necessary and has the enormous potential to generate green jobs. 

 

Read more
Civil Service College Mauritius to foster Green Economy Learning for civil servants
September 2, 2019

PAGE and the Civil Service College Mauritius (CSCM) have signed an agreement to integrate Green Economy considerations into learning action and programmes available to civil servants and the broader population. The activities will help build capacities to develop and implement policies and projects to advance inclusive and sustainable economic development in Mauritius and achieve SDGs. 

More specifically, with PAGE support, the Civil Service College will:

Mainstream Inclusive Green Economy and SDGs aspects in the existing courses of the Civil Service College Mauritius, such as the strategic planning and project management training;

Broaden the offer of Green Economy e-learning products delivered by the Civil Service College, by integrating PAGE global training products in the existing e-learning platform. The courses can be offered to a broad audience including policy makers, business community, teachers, trainers and general public;

Enhance knowledge and capacity of high school teachers on how to ingrate Green Economy learning in the classroom. This may be done by organizing information campaigns through e-learning and other materials, consultations with key stakeholders, workshops, Training of Trainers (ToT), school competition, experience sharing, and evaluation of impacts and results.

The agreement builds on PAGE support to the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reform (MCSAR) and the Civil Service College Mauritius for a Green Economy Learning Needs Assessment, which covered capacity gaps for, both, policy makers and the business community. 

 

Read more
The Kyrgyz Republic creates the Coordination Commission on the Green Economy
September 2, 2019

On 5 August, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic issued a resolution that will guide and coordinate the activities of the state executive authorities, local governments and other stakeholders in the implementation of the National Green Economy Policy. Through this resolution, the Government of Kyrgyzstan also formed the Coordination Commission on the Green Economy. PAGE supported the Minister of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic in this process.

The Coordination Commission on the Green Economy will ensure effective implementation of the Green Economy policy and will introduce Green Economy approaches in priority sectors of the country. Among other, the commission will ensure the effective implementation of the main provisions of the Kyrgyz Republic’s programme "Unity. Trust. Creation", an important element of the implementation of the National Development Strategy 2018-2040. In this context, the commission will coordinate actions of the state executive authorities, local governments, non-profit and international organizations.

The commission will also carry out assessments of the Green Economy Policy implementation results and will monitor and evaluate the achievement of targets. It will discuss recommendations to adjust the Green Economy Action Plan and approve roadmaps for solving Green Economy related issues. Overall, the commission will introduce and inform the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the implementation of the Green Economy Policy.

This is an example of the commitment of the Kyrgyz government to reversing environmental degradation trends while capturing opportunities for economic growth that is both inclusive and sustainable. Since Kyrgyzstan joined PAGE in 2016, the partnership prioritized support to advance the integration of inclusive Green Economy goals and targets into the government’s national planning processes. 

 

Read more
Credits: UNRC's Office
PAGE informs Senegal in developing legislation for the management of revenues expected from oil and gas
September 2, 2019

Senegal has made important commercial discoveries of natural gas and oil, which based on 2015 estimates, would make the country be the world’s 40th largest oil producer and the 20th largest gas producer. Since 2015, even larger reserves have been discovered off-shore, making oil and gas play a highly significant role in the national economy, putting the country at crossroads in its trajectory towards sustainable development. Production of oil and gas is expected to start in 2022.

This is a critical moment when Senegal is in the process of issuing legislation on the management of funds expected from oil and gas. Responding to the request of the Government of Senegal to inform the legislation, PAGE has developed the report on "Funds and mechanisms for the management of oil and gas revenues to support sustainable development”. It will serve as a milestone reference for Senegal’s mitigation of hydrocarbon-related risks and to assist the country in achieving its ambitions for an environmentally resilient and prosperous future. 

On 30 July 2019, the report was presented to the High Council on Social Dialogue of Senegal. The High Council on Social Dialogue brings together senior-level representatives from all professional sectors and is mandated by the President of Senegal to play a central role in the national dialogue around oil and gas.  The PAGE report was much welcomed and stimulated important discussions. The High Council devoted a full session from 30 July to 1 August to discuss the conclusions of the report as an input for the deliberations at its 15th plenary session. 

Among others, the report discusses principles and international standards for natural resource revenue management and distribution, covering macroeconomic challenges and the good governance of extra-budgetary funds, which are commonly found in natural resource-rich countries— In addition, it examines measures to address environmental and social impacts of extractive activities and offers several policy options for consideration.

The opening of the session took place in the presence of High-Level local authorities including Ms Awa Marie Coll Seck, Senior Minister and President of Senegal National Committee of the Initiative on Transparency in Extractive Industries; Ms Innocence Ntap Ndiaye, President of the High Council on Social Dialogue; Ms Priya Gaijraj, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Senegal; and Mr Charles Faye the Vice-president for Employers’ and Mr Lamine Fall Vice-president for workers’ organizations in the High Council on Social Dialogue.  

 

Read more
PAGE cited as key delivery mechanism of SDGs in multiple 2019 voluntary national reviews
August 5, 2019

New York, July 2019 - PAGE was cited as a key delivery mechanism of the Sustainable Development Goals in multiple voluntary national reviews (VNRs) submitted by Member States at the high-level political forum held at the UN Headquarters in July. The VNRs of PAGE's member countries--Uruguay, Mauritius, and Guyana, among others--described PAGE's contributions to advancing the 2030 Agenda in their countries.

VNRs

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development encourages member states to conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels. These national reviews are expected to serve as a basis for the regular reviews by the high-level political forum (HLPF). Regular reviews by the HLPF shall provide a platform for partnerships, including through the participation of major groups and other relevant stakeholders.

The VNRs aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned. The VNRs also seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Uruguay

The VNR presented by Uruguay describes PAGE as a means of improving social equity and thus the quality of life of Uruguay's citizens. The report highlights the collaborative nature of PAGE, noting that the Partnership seeks to create a harmonious model of development that takes into account economic, social and environmental factors.

The report also emphasized PAGE Uruguay's success in partnering with private sector institutions, both employers and workers, to maximize its benefits in the country. Uruguay's VNR also cited some of PAGE's signature accomplishments in the country, such as its collaboration with Transforma Uruguay in the Waste Recovery and Circular Economy Project, its support for the Circular Opportunities Program, which promotes circular ideas and business, and its support for the Uruguay Circular Award.

Mauritius

In the VNR of Mauritius, PAGE is noted for its contributions to alternative modes of financing for sustainable development. The report reads, "In 2018, the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM) launched the Mauritius Green Bonds Market Development Initiative, with the support of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the United Nations Partnership for Action on Green Economy (UN PAGE) to develop a green-bond ecosystem in the country.  Through this Green Bond market, SEM is seeking to gradually open up an avenue to mobilize investments into green and sustainable development projects that address climate change" (113).

PAGE's contributions to finance in Mauritius are listed under SDG 17: "Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development."

Guyana

In the review presented by Guyana, PAGE is cited in the context of SDG 8: "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all." In this context, PAGE contributed to the Green Industry and Trade Assessment (GITA). Guyana undertook this Assessment in 2018 to "inform wider policies for industry and trade" (44). The Assessment also builds upon key components of Vision 2040, Guyana's Green State Development Strategy. It also supports "the Green Business Framework and makes specific recommendations for green industry and green trade policies and programmes" (44).

Going Forward

The presentation of VNRs by Member States at July's HLPF provided an opportunity to share experiences, successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the SDGs. PAGE will continue its important country-level work going forward, always with an eye towards advancing the 2030 Agenda.

Read more
Burkina Faso adopts National Strategy on Green Economy
August 5, 2019

Ouagadougou, 8 July 2019 - Burkina Faso adopted the National Strategy on Green Economy (NSGE) last month, marking a major milestone in the country’s inclusive green economy transition. The Strategy promotes the creation, development and consolidation of a critical mass of competitive, sustainable, value-adding industries and decent jobs providers, primarily in the transformation of local raw materials. 

The adoption of the Strategy creates a pathway for strong commitment from national authorities at the highest level for a transition of the country to green industry. It also promises the commitment of the private sector in the implementation of green economy principles in industrial activities.

Targets & Activities

The targets of the Strategy are to increase the manufacturing industry's share of GDP from 6.6% in 2016 to 12% in 2023, increase the share of manufactured goods in the export of goods and services to 20% in 2023 and improve the country’s 'Ease of Doing Business' ranking from 143rd in 2016 to 130th by 2023.

The activities within the Strategy can be defined within five strategic axes:

  1. Improvement of the legal, institutional and organizational support framework for the industrial sector;
  2. Support for development industrial projects;
  3. Consolidation of existing industrial firms by modernization of facilities and promotion of green industry;
  4. Support for improvement of financing access for the industrial sector,
  5. Development of industrial infrastructures and promotion of the sustainability of industrial firms.

Background

In African countries, industrialization is essential as a means of increasing incomes, creating jobs, developing value-added activities and diversifying economies. The high economic growth rates of the past 10 years in Africa have proven that commodity-based economies do not lead to the structural transformation needed. African incomes are still the lowest in the world, and 34 African countries rank among the least developed countries with manufacturing sectors' share of gross domestic product lower than it was 30 years ago.

In order to stimulate and enable an environment conducive to industrial expansion, Africa needs government-driven industrial policies to add value and strengthen industrial upgrading. However, in the light of the current context of climate change, scarcity of natural resources and ethics, the “Business as Usual” way is not the solution. Instead, industrial policies should integrate issues of environmental degradation and resource depletion. Countries must adopt green growth strategies that will be supported by green industry.

PAGE Support

In Burkina Faso, UNIDO, through the framework of PAGE, conducted a green industry study that demonstrated the opportunities for the country to promote an inclusive green industry strategy given its characteristics, its development imperatives and its dependence on natural resources. The study also highlighted the commitment and compatibility of green economy with the political vision of development. Thereby, the Government with the support of PAGE has developed this new green industrialization strategy.

Opportunities Going Forward

The operationalization of the Strategy will bring together various stakeholders, including ministries, local and regional authorities, the private sector, technical and financial partners, academia and civil society organizations. This commitment from national authorities is essential as the necessary reforms for this transition will engage the entire productive apparatus and will inevitably affect the established interests of certain sectors and actors.

Moreover, the industry diagnosis phase identified that many national manufacturing firms operate in an inefficient and resource-intensive manner. These inefficiencies represent an opportunity for significant progress, as investment in new technologies promoted by the Strategy can lead to significant economic and environmental gains. Thereby, the implementation of the Strategy will help the country overcome, among other challenges, the reduction of the production factors’ costs, the increase of productivity and the transition to the green industry in order to link competitiveness and sustainability.

Read more
PAGE South Africa Validates Selected Indicators to track its progress towards a Greener Economy
August 5, 2019

Pretoria, 10 July 2019 - As countries embark on green economy transitions, it is crucial for them to be able to measure and track their progress towards their goals. Accurate information about the effects of past and current policies is an essential component of the policymaking cycle, which helps to ensure that countries’ efforts achieve the maximum possible impact. The Green Economy Progress (GEP) measurement framework tracks progress on a country level and facilitates cross-country or cross-provincial comparisons of achieved progress. It is also consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as it includes indicators correlated to most of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) together with the South African Government through Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) as well as Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), hosted a Validation workshop on the Green Economy Indicator Measurement Framework. The workshop is a culmination of work that started in January 2019 led by UN Environment under PAGE.

The GEP Index captures the multi-dimensions of an Inclusive Green Economy. It measures accumulation of capital--be it natural, low carbon and resource efficient, human, or social--which serves as input for producing goods and services in an environmentally friendly manner. The GEP Measurement Framework is flexible when it comes to selecting indicators, thereby making cross-country comparisons possible on any particular aspect of an Inclusive Green Economy, as long as the underlying data is available. The process of establishing the South African Green Economy Measurement Framework is currently at the stage of indicators selection and validation. The indicator selection process started on February 2019, through an online focus-group made up of diverse government stakeholders.

Prior to the validation workshop, participants were given a catalogue of 270 candidate indicators, gleaned from national policy documents. Participants were then invited to select up to 20 indicators deemed as being particularly relevant for South Africa. The PAGE team compiled the indicators and methodically filtered and condensed them to a group of 21 indicators. Government stakeholders then reviewed each indicator, determined its relevance and validity and confirmed national data availability.

The data sources for the validated indicators were mainly derived from existing government frameworks such as the South Africa’s National Development Plan - Outcome 10 document, the Development Indicators Report, South Africa’s SDG baseline Report, including others. This is to ensure the ownership, legitimacy and the acceptability of the selection process.

Following the selection of indicators process, calculations of green economy progress can be applied to monitor the advancement or regression on separate indicators.

Read more
LEADING LABOUR, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTIONS DISCUSS GREEN TRANSITION AT "FAST, FAIR AND GREEN"
July 10, 2019

New York, 16 July 2019 - The Partners for Inclusive Green Economy hosted a high-level panel discussion, Fast, Fair and Green, at the UN High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York. The discussion explored the question, "How can we create an economic transition fast, fair, and green enough to achieve the SDGs and NDCs?"

Event Webcast

If you weren't able to make the event, click below to view the full webcast of the discussion from UN Web TV.

Speakers

The speakers for the event included Hon. Ola Elvestuen, President of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) and Minister of Climate and Environment, Norway, Hon. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary, Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany, Mr. Gabriel Quijandría, Vice-Minister of Environment, Peru, Hon. Ms. Elizabeth Thompson, Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations, Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Director, Global Sustainable Development, Directorate General for the Environment, European Commission, Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UN Environment, Mr. Guy Rider, Executive Director, International Labour Organization, and Mr. Jo Confino, Executive Editor, Impact & Innovation, The Huffington Post.

Key Takeaways

Diverse institutions, including the OECD, ILO, UNDP, UNEP and the Green Economy Coalition, called for a different approach to governing economies in order to avoid environmental breakdown, one that puts people and nature first.

The panelists recognized that few countries are on track to achieve either their national targets for tackling climate change or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Humanity is facing unprecedented and interrelated challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and growing inequality. As such, business as usual cannot continue.

Key steps for the transition to inclusive green economies include recognising the multiple values of nature in economic decision-making; prioritising wellbeing and the equitable distribution of opportunity and outcome; aligning prices, subsides and incentives with the true costs to society; embracing new models of development that enable economic growth without raising resource consumption; and supporting public participation and social dialogue.

Launches

The event coincided with several important launches. Among them were two new knowledge platforms: the Green Industry Platform and the Green Finance Platform. These platforms provide the financial and private sectors with the latest research, data, guidance, and tools from leading experts and institutions to help green their operations. Read more about these new platforms in a press release from the Green Growth Knowledge Platform.

This event also marked the launch of the Five Principles of Green Economy, which provide a valuable compass as countries around the world transition to sustainability. The principles comprise a series of catalytic activities and key priorities to guide collective action in diverse contexts. Read more about the five principles and their role in delivering the SDGs in a press release from the Green Economy coalition.

Partners

The event was jointly organized by the Partners for Inclusive Green Economy, an initiative involving UN Environment, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Green Economy Coalition (GEC), the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Poverty-Environment Action for SDGs (PEA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Partnership for Action on Green Economy (UN-PAGE), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Read more
ILO AND MONGOLIA'S DECENT WORK FOR YOUTH NETWORK HOLD FORUM ON GREEN JOBS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
July 9, 2019

Mongolia, 26-28 June 2019 - The International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Decent Work for Youth Network of Mongolia organized a Forum that developed green entrepreneurship and project action plans for nine aimags in the Western region of Mongolia. One hundred forty-one participants from trade unions, employers, government (labour & welfare department, labour inspection department, social insurance department, Agency for Family, Children and Youth Development), Mongolian Bar Association, and Mongolia Youth Association worked together on a situational analysis with green entrepreneurship focus.

The participants developed 6 problem tree analyses of the transition to the green economy for the Western region of Mongolia and 9 aimag teams developed project logframes. The aimag teams were from Gobi-Altai, Bayan-Ulgii, Uvs, Khuvsgul, Khovd, Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Uvurkhangai and Zavkhan.

The Forum contributed to PAGE sustainability actions in Mongolia, by aligning the regional focus to the National Green Development Policy, promoting just transition plans for the waste sector at regional level, and increasing capacity of constituents in the Western region to sustain strategic analysis and actions for the transition to a green economy. Since the Mongolian Parliament has adopted the Sustainable Development Vision (SDV) 2030, PAGE has supported Mongolia in advancing its green development agenda. This Forum responds to PAGE's third outcome: ‘’Mongolia has strengthened individual, institutional and planning capacities for inclusive green economy action’’ by focusing on the Western region of Mongolia and the promotion of green jobs and green entrepreneurship for youth.

The Decent Work for Youth Network was established in 2018 with the support of the ILO and under the initiative of the following organizations – CMTU, MONEF, Mongolian Youth Federation, Agency for Children, Family and Youth Development, Mongolian Bar Association, National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, National Human Rights Commission, General Agency for Specialized Inspection and Labour and Social Welfare Services Agency, with the purpose to promote youth rights at the workplace. Network members work together to promote the youth rights at work.

The Forum addressed two issues of critical importance for Mongolia’s youth employment: (i) the violations of labour rights of young men and women (according to the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia); and (ii) the underdevelopment of green jobs, green entrepreneurship, and green economy for Mongolian regions and rural areas. The Forum focused on increasing the capacity of staff of the network organizations working at aimag level to have better understanding of decent work and green jobs, and to develop specific action plans to promote youth rights and green jobs through green entrepreneurship.

A follow-up meeting with the Decent Work for Youth Network will be organized in November or December in Ulanbataar. This workshop on ‘Green Entrepreneurship for the circular economy’ will provide an opportunity for the project logframes developed by the aimag constituents to be further discussed by Mongolian and international experts, including resource mobilization options.

Read more
PAGE Uruguay Announces Winners of Inaugural Circular Economy Award
June 11, 2019

Uruguay, 5 June 2019 - Lanas Trinidad, NIDO, URUPLAC, Prendetec and Repapel were among the winners of the first-ever Uruguay Circular Economy Award, given out on World Environment Day this month. The Award was created by the PAGE Uruguay Programme to recognize initiatives and projects that are contributing to the country’s transition towards a circular economy. It is the first award of its kind in the Latin-America and Caribbean region.

The Award recognized winners in five categories: Large Companies, Cooperatives, MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), Educational Institutions and Communities.

Winners

Lanas Trinidad was the winner of the Large Companies category and received the prize from the Undersecretary of Industry, Energy and Mining, Olga Otegui. Lanas Trinidad was recognized for promoting environmental sustainability in the productive process and for circulating and valuing materials that would normally be treated as waste in a linear economy.

The prize in the Cooperatives category was taken by NIDO and was awarded by the National Director of Environment, Alejandro Nario. NIDO, a cooperative composed of eight women, works to promote conscious and responsible consumption with a focus on social inclusion.

URUPLAC was the winner of the MSMEs category, a prize awarded by the President of the Board of Directors of the National Development Agency, Martín Dibarboure. URUPLAC consists of two partners who have been working in recycling for more than 20 years. The company was born in 2012 as an effort by the partners to find a recycling alternative for potentially unprocessed products that are not processed in Uruguay due to lack of productive alternatives.

The prize for the Educational Institutions category, delivered by Manuel Albaladejo, the representative of the UNIDO Regional Office, was awarded to PRENDETEC of Ceibal. Ceibal has delivered almost two million devices in the Uruguayan public system, managing around 13 tons of waste and electronic devices on a monthly basis. PRENDETEC is an example of how collaboration between the education system and private companies can be used to build new assets.

Pablo Montes, the Coordinator of PAGE Uruguay, presented the award to Repapel in the Communities category. The Repapel community offers a solution to the problem of garbage throughout the country. In Uruguay, the average person generates 1.1 kg of garbage daily. At least 15% is paper or cardboard and more than 20% is plastic. Repapel promotes a system of classification and subsequent recycling of paper and PET plastic throughout the country. In doing so, Repapel generates recycled paper and plastic supplies for public schools that participate in the project and environmental education programs for all organizations.

Going Forward

Uruguay is one of the partner countries of PAGE (Partnership for Action on Green Economy), which seeks to contribute to the incorporation of the concept of green growth in public development policies, with the purpose of promoting the efficient use of resources and environmental sustainability. This successful first year of the Uruguay Circular Award is an important step in advancing the country's path towards sustainability.

Check out the winners profiles:

Lanas Trinidad

NIDO 

URUPLAC

CEIBAL PRENDETEC

Repapel

Read more
Why partnerships matter? PAGE presents its model at ILO Green Week 2019
June 5, 2019

3 June 2019 – The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) participated to the ILO Green Week 2019, a full week dedicated to International Labour Organization’s action on sustainability. Within the context of the ILO centenary, exhibitions, dialogues with practitioners, innovators, and ILO strategic partners and a presentation of ILO programmes and initiatives in the field of environmental sustainability were organized at the headquarters of ILO in Geneva.

The first day featured a “Dialogue with ILO strategic institutional partners” bringing together ILO joint programmes and initiatives intended to sum up specialized expertise to tackle pressing environmental, social and economic issues. Together with PAGE other initiative took part to the dialogue, such as UN Alliance on Sustainable Fashion, United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC), E–Waste Coalition and Environmental Management Group (EMG).

Opening the floor, PAGE presented its joint delivery model of 5 UN agencies bringing together resources, knowledge, expertise and networks to enable countries to develop and implement national plans and economic policies that promote inclusive green economy and help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Recognising that addressing global challenges requires coordinated, multidimensional action that goes far beyond business as usual, PAGE has emerged as a unique alliance that combines diverse knowledges and stakeholders that together work to reframe our economies to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation while providing equal opportunities from youth, women and men. Within the PAGE alliance, ILO contributes bringing in its knowledge and expertise on decent work and social justice, ensuring that the transition to inclusive green economies its fair and just for all.

After a brief overview of the Partnership structure, concrete examples of country support and collaboration with ILO with the Partnership were provided, such as the experience of the green buildings course developed in Mongolia to strengthen capacity building and green skills creation in order to fit the growing demand of the construction sector, in light of the newly adopted National Policy in the Construction Sector in Mongolia, advancing green building and sustainability in the sector. The Mongolia examples shows how policy development often goes hand in hand with the need of new capacities and that a transition towards a greener economy requires new skills and knowledge in order to be sustained. Within this context, ILO’s knowledge of the world of work is essential to avoid skills and knowledge gaps and to make sure that the transition towards greener economies leaves no one behind.

Following the debate, partners were invited to join the market place where discussion continued on possible areas of collaboration and joint action.

find out more about the ILO Green Week 2019

Read more
Guyana places inclusive green economy at the heart of national development up to 2040
June 3, 2019

Guyana, 28 May 2019 – The Green State Development Strategy Vision 2040, 20-year national development strategy for Guyana, was officially received by President of Guyana, Mr. David Granger, marking an important milestone for the country’s transition towards inclusive green economy. The Strategy provides a long-term vision and guidance for Guyana's economic, social and environmental development placing sustainability at the heart of national development up to 2040. It will guide the national development policies for the next 20 years, under a vision of development that is inclusive and prosperous, provides a good quality of life for all its citizens, based on sound education and social protection, low carbon and resilient development, providing new economic opportunities, justice and political empowerment. 

At the official launch ceremony, UN Environment’s Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr. Leo Heileman presented the Vision 2040 to the Head of State.  Reflecting on this accomplishment, upon reception of the document, Mr. Granger said:

“The world is realizing almost by the day that climate change is a grim, relentless reality. There is no avoidance. Hardly a day passes that we do not see the adverse impact of climate change. It is great for us to be ahead of the game. We have challenges with our coastal zone management; we have cycles of El Nino, drought and flood in our hinterland; we have industries which are now starting to have an impact on air quality and water quality”.

In the context of building its greener and equitable future, Guyana joined PAGE in 2017 whose engagement in the country is, ever since, centered around supporting the elaboration of the GSDS Vision 2040. The new Vision 2040 actually builds on previous commitments to sustainable development, such as the Low Carbon Development and Climate Resilience Strategy Action Plan. The Strategy thus reflects the President’s vision of an inclusive and prosperous state providing a good quality of life for all its citizens and based on sound education, social protection, low-carbon and resilient development, providing new economic opportunities, justice and political empowerment. It promotes three key topics: management of natural resource wealth; support of economic resilience and building of human capital and institutional capacity.

SDGS brings in new modalities of financing the development through the Natural Resource Fund Act. The President explained that the revenues from oil and gas are to be invested in a wise manner to avoid the Dutch disease. He also pointed out the importance of grass-root education of the population, and especially youth on environmental consciousness to compliment the successful implementation of the strategy. 

PAGE workstreams in Guyana reflect the three main areas from GSDS. Through the work of its partner agencies, PAGE supports the mainstreaming of sustainable development into national development strategies planning and macro-economic policies, works on sectoral and thematic policies to as well as operates capacity building effort. So far, PAGE has been supporting the multi-stakeholder consultation process and has been informing the political process on SDGS. Through its work on green industry and trade & green jobs assessment, PAGE is fostering the thematic reforms in line with the Vision 2040. In addition, PAGE has been building capacity for green economy decision making through trainings on modeling to enhance the national ownership of the strategy execution.

The implementation of the Vision 2040 strategy is set to begin in 2020 following the creation of an implementation team as Ms. Ndibi Schwiers, Director of the Department of Environment at Ministry of the Presidency stated.

Read more
Constructive News: Can Solutions Journalism Save Our Forests?
June 3, 2019

Written by Rebecca Lake, UNDP Communications Consultant.

Everyday day we are bombarded with devasting news about our natural world. From the latest IPBES report which warned of ‘unprecedented’ species extinction to mass deforestation and the rise of global temperatures, the daily cycle of bad news is relentless. And the research says audiences are switching off in droves because of this.

According to a recent study conducted by the Reuters Institute, nearly 50 per cent of survey respondents said they currently avoid the news media because it had a negative effect on their moods. Almost a third said they avoided news because it made them feel helpless.

Can a different approach to journalism, one which presents potential solutions alongside the problems, bring readers back and ultimately inspire change?

Giselle Green, Editor of Constructive Voices, says news that only conveys doom and gloom isn’t actually telling us the entire story. She is among a growing cohort of journalism practitioners calling for more solutions to be featured alongside traditional news stories.

“Basically constructive journalism, sometimes referred to as solutions reporting, is all about how journalism can react to problems,” explains the former BBC journalist. 

“It’s rigorous reporting, it’s not just fluffy stories that make you smile. It should spark a constructive response among audiences.”

Some of the world’s biggest media organizations are already experimenting with a solutions approach. This includes the Guardian’s Upside series, which aims to seek out answers, solutions, movements and initiatives to some of the biggest problems besetting the world.

In this series, articles ranges from ‘A new leaf: the hardy trees reforesting the Amazon’ to global examples of where carbon taxes are actually popular.

Documentary films about climate change such as the recently released 2040 — by acclaimed Australian filmmaker Damon Gameau — are also looking to inspire audiences by showing viewers what’s possible with solutions that already exist. From regenerative farming to independent community solar power grids, 2040 presents just a small handful of climate solutions that have the potential to inspire and empower audiences worldwide.

Nevertheless, many journalists and media outlets remain sceptical. Some claim that the approach can devolve into biased or “feel-good” advocacy, rather than a critical examination of important social issues that hold the powerful to account. However, proponents of solutions journalism argue that while the approach doesn’t necessarily try to uncover ‘hidden information’ or scandalous wrongdoings, it can still be influential by showcasing what governments and business could and should be doing.

To further explore the potential of solutions journalism in the context of climate change and deforestation, the UNDP’s Green Commodities Programme, with the Good Growth Partnership, facilitated a shared learning experience in the Peruvian Amazon for eight international journalists.

The initiative began with a two-day workshop in Lima, where selected journalists had the opportunity to consider the powerful role international media plays in reporting  deforestation predominately driven by agricultural commodities. Despite extensive efforts over the past decade to slow tropical deforestation, the latest findings from WRI’s Global Forest Watch report paint a grim picture. Around 12 million hectares of forest in the world's tropical regions were lost in 2018, equivalent to 30 football fields per minute.

Yet, while the urgency to halt deforestation is increasingly dominating headlines, the why and the how of doing so – the solution focus — is not as well known.

Throughout the workshop – which was co-hosted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) — the journalists were encouraged to consider the solutions for key sustainability and development issues in major agricultural commodity supply chains.

Led by Sara El-Khalili of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, workshop guest speakers included Giselle Green of Constructive Voices,  Paul Dickinson, Founder and Executive Chair of CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project). Deep insights into sustainability issues in Peru were provided by James Leslie, UNDP-Peru’s Technical Advisor on Ecosystems and Climate Change.

After attending the opening high-level session of the Good Growth Conference in Lima — where the journalists had the opportunity to interview the Ministers of Environment and Agriculture from Peru and Ecuador — the reporters journeyed into the Amazon to put what they had learned about solutions journalism into practice.

For Alejandra Agudo Lazareno, a reporter for Spain’s El Pais daily newspaper, ‘solutions journalism’ isn’t entirely a new concept.

“In Planeta Futuro we regularly write pieces with positive points of view. But it’s not something I usually consider in the case deforestation and commodities,” she explained.

“In general, this experience has been a great opportunity to gain new knowledge from other news outlets and learn more about the ways in which humanity is trying to do the right thing for the planet,” said Alejandra whose story was inspired by the successful sustainable development strategies being implemented in Peru’s San Martin region.

This immersive approach to learning conducted in the heart of one of the world’s most important ecosystems is a defining feature of the Good Growth Conference. Being in the Amazon helped conference delegates, and journalists, gain a deeper connection to their work as well as the resilience and motivation needed to sustain collective efforts for change.

For Bhimanto Suwastoyo of the Palm Scribe, the Good Growth Journalism Initiativeprovided a valuable opportunity to understand the deforestation challenge from different angles and perspectives. During his time in Peru, the Indonesian journalist reported on how the small Amazonian community of Chazuta transitioned from illicit coca production (for cocaine) to sustainable cocoa.

“My takeaway from the training, and the Good Growth Conference, is that nothing beats on-site learning visits to motivate solution-based journalism and that the best solutions to problems, in any field, usually involve as many stakeholders as possible working together to arrive at the solution.”

“I will now approach a story by first looking at it through the lenses of a number of different perspectives,” explained Bhimanto whose publication, The Palm Scribe, aims to help the palm oil sector foster a healthier and more constructive public discourse.

Eromo Egbejule, West Africa Editor of The Africa Report, used his time in the Amazon to examine new approaches to sustainable agriculture in Latin America which could be applied across the Atlantic.

“One of the biggest takeaways I gained from participating in the Good Growth Journalism Initiative was being exposed to what’s already being achieved in Peru and neighbouring countries.”

“I heard Costa Rica’s remarkable story. The country managed to reverse what was one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, with radical reforms backed by political willpower. It’s a lesson countries in Africa ought to learn.”
Eromo detailed his findings in an article he published in the Africa Report: Lessons on political willpower from Costa Rica and Peru.

Meanwhile Fabiano Maisonnave, Amazon correspondent for Folha de São Paulo, used his time at the Good Growth Conference to investigate the environmental impacts of the invasive tilapia fish species, which was introduced in Peru three decades ago.

“I noticed that every restaurant in the small Amazonian community of Sauce was only serving one variety of fish [tilapia],” he explained. On the other side of the forest system, in the Brazilian state of Tocantins, officials are currently experimenting with how best to cultivate the foreign fish species which was previously banned and has already decimated native fish stocks in Peru and Bolivia.

During the conference, Fabiano was able to observe an exchange of ideas between Peru’s San Martin Production Director, Raúl Belaunde, and Marcelo Soares, head of Tocantins State's environmental licensing agency in Brazil. Belaunde — who participated in and co-hosted the week-long event with the Governor — explained that the tilapia in his province is “impossible to control” and regretted his country’s decision to introduce it.

“I don’t think the Tocantins representative was deterred, but at least the Peruvian government officials were able to share and recommend best practices which may help to mitigate some risks to Brazil’s Amazonian ecosystem,” explained Fabiano.

Fabiano’s report quotes a number of Brazilian conservationists and regional experts who are urgently seeking more information about the risks of tilapia cultivation as they try to avoid the same fate as neighbouring Amazonian countries.

For Switzerland-based journalist, Paula Dupraz-Dobias, the chance to speak with the indigenous leaders of San Martin’s Quechua community meant she was able to gain first-hand accounts and local wisdom directly from those who know the forests best.

“Listening to - and reporting on - indigenous peoples may allow us to learn from their wisdom, particularly in how we can live from resources at our doorstep and better appreciate the fragility of  our global  environment.” she said when asked about the opportunity to visit the indigenous community of Alto Pucalpillo.

“Unfortunately, very often the voices of indigenous communities are dismissed in global discussions on climate change and sustainable development goals. Hopefully our access as journalists to these communities can help project their voices - and wisdom -to a wider audience.”

With so much at stake, rigorous journalism that provides solutions to our environmental challenges is needed now more than ever. If you are interested in collaborating or supporting the Good Growth Journalism Initiative please contact Simon.Cooper@undp.org.

Read more
We need 'green economy', not 'grey' to have green societies: UN chief
May 30, 2019

Subsidies that promote the use of fossil fuels are helping "to destroy the world", and are a bad way to deploy taxpayers' money, the head of the United Nations said on Tuesday. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a gathering of politicians and business people in Austriathat pollution should be taxed, and subsidies for oil, gas and coal should be ended. "Many people still think that to give fossil fuel subsidies is a way to improve living conditions of people," he said in remarks delivered at a Vienna conference on climate change.

"There is nothing more wrong than that. What we are doing is using taxpayers' money – which means our money – to boost hurricanes, to spread droughts, to melt glaciers, to bleach corals. In one word – to destroy the world." According to the International Energy Agency, global fossil-fuel consumption subsidies in 2017 were more than $300 billion, up from about $270 billion in 2016.

Guterres said he believed taxpayers would prefer to see their money returned to them rather than used to wreck the planet. A hard-hitting report produced by hundreds of scientists this month warned that up to 1 million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction due to humankind's relentless pursuit of economic growth. It identified industrial farming and fishing as major drivers of the crisis, and said climate change caused by burning fossil fuels was exacerbating the losses. The U.N. chief on Tuesday called for "a rapid and deep change in how we do business, how we generate power, how we build cities, and how we feed the world", so that global warming can be curbed, and people and the planet protected from harm.

Even if governments met the commitments they made under the 2015 Paris Agreement to tackle climate change, temperatures would still rise more than 3 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times, "which means a catastrophic situation", Guterres said. The Paris accord, now ratified by about 185 countries, sets a goal to limit global temperature increase to "well below" 2C, and to strive for 1.5C, in order to avert the worst effects of extreme weather and rising seas.

The situation is "even more serious" because many countries "are not even catching up with their own promises" made under the Paris pact, Guterres emphasised. He has convened a summit in New York on Sept. 23 aimed at spurring governments, businesses and others to step up their efforts to curb climate change. "I am asking leaders not to come with beautiful speeches but to come with concrete plans to promote the climate action we need," he said in Austria.

'PEOPLE POWER'

The U.N. boss said doing the right things - such as halting the building of coal power plants, decarbonising urban infrastructure, and producing and consuming in a greener way - would have "profound" benefits for societies around the world. Those include cleaner water and air, less pollution, more chemical-free agriculture and reduced loss of wildlife and plant species, he said.

"In short, we need a green economy, not a grey economy, to have a green society," he added. Teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, whose weekly school strikes about climate change have sparked a global youth movement over the past nine months, said the general public had not been well-informed about the risks of a warming planet. It was up to politicians, executives, journalists and others with influence to tell the truth about the climate "emergency", and not pretend it could be fixed with technology or simple solutions, she said. "We promise we will not let you get away with it anymore," she insisted at the conference.

Former California governor and Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose R20 climate change initiative for regional, state and city governments organised the gathering, said the greatest movements for change all start with "people power" holding governments or corporations to account. "The movement for a clean energy future is no different," he said.

Click HERE to view the orginal article

Read more
South Africa’s Ramaphosa signs carbon tax into law
May 30, 2019

South African industry will be subject to a carbon tax from 1 June, after president Cyril Ramaphosa signed the policy into law on Sunday.

Ramaphosa’s African National Congress party was returned to office with a reduced majority in an election earlier this month. While climate change was barely mentioned in the campaign, the result allows the government to finally implement a tax that has been under discussion since 2010.

“Climate change represents one of the biggest challenges facing human kind, and the primary objective of the carbon tax is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a sustainable, cost effective and affordable manner,” the treasury said in a statement.

The tax is to start at 120 rand a tonne of CO2 ($8). In the first phase, polluters will get 60-95% of carbon allowances free, bringing the effective tax rate down to R6-48/t. These rates are to be reviewed before phase two, spanning 2023-30.

South Africa relies on coal for most of its energy. Politically, the priority for the electricity sector has been to tackle rolling blackouts and state-owned utility Eskom’s mountain of debt.

The government’s blueprint for the sector to 2030 includes 1GW of coal capacity already in planning, before pivoting to gas, nuclear and renewables. It foresees adding 8.1GW of gas, 2.5GW of nuclear 2.5GW of hydropower, 5.7GW of solar and 8.1GW of wind, in the latest iteration reported by industry publication Go Legal.

Meanwhile the mining sector, a major employer, is struggling with unreliable power and high labour costs. Anglo American Platinum complained last monththe carbon tax would cost them R50m ($3.4m) in the first two years. Such concerns are behind years of delay and concessions to big emitters.

Campaigners welcomed the price on pollution, but said it needed to get higher to clean up the country’s economy.

“We commend the president for putting wheels to this long overdue issue,” said Morné du Plessis, head of WWF South Africa. “During the second phase, we will have to ramp up our transition ambitions significantly.”

Climate Action Tracker rates South Africa’s climate targets “highly insufficient”.

 

Click HERE to view the original article.

Read more