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Climate Change:
GA Panel Discussion, 26 October 2009

Special Event - Second Committee, 64th Session of the General Assembly
Panel Discussion:
Green Growth & Sustainable Development

26 October 2009
New York, NY

Conference Final Documents

Green Growth

Green Growth, a strategy for achieving sustainable development, emphasizes the implementation of policies that promote environmentally sustainable economic progress and foster low-carbon, socially inclusive development at the same time.

Economic Growth

Economic growth is necessary for poverty alleviation. However, it has been realized globally that a shift from a “grow first, clean up later” attitude to a longer-term perspective which emphasizes resource efficiency and environmental and social responsibility is crucial to reduce the costs of economic development. Resource-efficiency, a reduction of the ecological footprint and sustainable livelihoods should be routine considerations in investment plans and projects, whether public or private.

Green Growth Policy Measures

To date, Green Growth policy measures include:

  • Green Tax and Budget Reform
  • Development of Sustainable Infrastructure
  • Promotion of Sustainable Consumption and Production (Demand-side Management)
  • Greening Business and Markets
  • Eco-efficiency Indicators

More in the background note...

Panel Discussion

Given the comprehensive topic, the panel discussion will present different expert views on the conditions and policies for promoting Green Growth, as well as the potential economic, environmental and social benefits from pursuing such a path. The debate will also focus on sustainable consumption and production, greening markets and investment.