The “Think Green!
The Opportunities of Sustainable Development and of the Green Economy” Conference, organized by the Various Interests' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), called for renewed urgency and ambition to implement a new sustainable development strategy, which clearly acknowledges the links between the social, environmental and economic pillars, and for modernizing the energy sector, inter alia.
2 May 2012: A conference titled “Think Green! The Opportunities of Sustainable Development and of the Green Economy,” organized by the Various Interests’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), brought stakeholders together to discuss how civil society and citizens are promoting resource efficiency and long-term sustainable development, in the run-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
The Conference called for renewed urgency and ambition to implement a new sustainable development strategy, which clearly acknowledges the links between the social, environmental and economic pillars.
The Think Green! Conference underscored that a green economy is a part of achieving sustainable development, and identified eco-labeling, exchange of good practices, sustainable consumption patterns and education as components of a “green economy roadmap.” Conference participants also called for decoupling economic growth from resource use, modernizing the energy sector and improving transport sustainability. EESC President Staffan Nilsson highlighted the role of local communities in achieving a green economy.
The Think Green! Conference took place in Brussels, Belgium, on 2 May 2012, with roughly 1,800 participants from civil society and the Various Interests’ Group of the EESC. The EESC is an EU consultative body with 344 representatives from civil society. [European Union Press Release]