25 June 2012: The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) has released a publication, titled “The Green Economy Pocketbook: The Case for Action,” describing the interrelated economic, societal and ecological crises afflicting people and the planet, and outlining the “green economic vision” needed to solve them. It also provides an overview on transitioning to a green economy based on multi-stakeholder consultations in different countries.

In five chapters, the publication describes the opportunities and questions involved in making such a transition. The first chapter outlines the need for appropriate long-term priorities for public policy and investment in order to make economic measurements more meaningful. The second chapter focuses on reforming financial markets to ensure economic stability, and build more resilient societies. The third chapter describes the need to green high-impact sectors such as housing, food, cities, energy and transport. The fourth chapter focuses on empowering people to generate environmental solutions as well as prosperity. The fifth chapter calls for stable investment, effective governance and resource-efficient and ecologically sensitive approaches, in order to sustainably manage the natural world.

The publication highlights nine principles for a green, fair and inclusive economy, which resulted from a global discussion initiated by GEC at the 12th Special Session of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council (GCSS-12) and continued online. [Publication: The Green Economy Pocketbook: The Case for Action] [GEC Website]