The UN has released a report detailing methods to use green energy sources to help kick start economies in developing nations.

The report claims investing as little as two percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could change economies’ carbon bases from high to low.

The report singled out India, wherein the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has generated an estimated three billion days’ worth of employment while still concentrating on water conservation and land development.

The report also stated despite finding evidence of long term benefits, there would be short-term jobs losses for economies who decided to switch to more green areas.

Job areas such as fishing and other areas directly affecting the environment would be the hardest hit in the proposed changeover.

There are supporters of the UN’s findings, particularly in organizations with an established environmental focus.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International Director General Jim Leape showed support for the bill.

“UNEP’s report demonstrates that a clean and green development path can produce growth and employment while cutting costs and reducing the risks associated with business as usual,” Mr. Leape said.

“Conventional economic thinking, GDP measures of growth and conventional corporate accounting will take us crashing headlong into the Earth’s limits.”

The report was released as part of the UN Millennium Development goals. The goals focus on poverty, international standards of living and energy concerns.

Pavan Sukhdev head of the UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative stressed the importance of government in changing the current focus of economies from carbon based to green.

“A Green Economy is not about stifling growth and prosperity, it is about reconnecting with what is real wealth; re-investing in rather than just mining natural capital; and, favouring the many over the few. It is also about a global economy that recognizes the intergenerational responsibility of nations to hand over a healthy, functioning and productive planet to the young people of today and those yet to be born.”

There were ten key sectors identified as having the greatest role in establishing a greener economy.

Agriculture:

• Investment of up to $300 billion until 2050 for feeding a global population, soil fertility management and finding more sustainable water sources

Buildings:

• This sector was singled out as the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the report. The report focused on creating and growing technologies with renewable energy supplies.

Fisheries:

• The report stated there is currently overfishing, with populations unable to breed to keep up with current fishing levels. There was a focus on cutting down on current commercial fishing, with rises again in 2050 as fish levels rise again.

Forestry:

• Reducing deforestation, which the report found is close to 20% of current greenhouse gas emissions.

Transport:

• The report stressed the importance of public transport, predicting further investment in this industry would also create job opportunities.

Other Sectors:

• Waste Management
• Water
• Industry
• Tourism
• Energy supply

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Maddison Kennedy

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