16 July 2019: Two new knowledge platforms have been launched to provide the financial and private sectors with the latest research, data, guidance and tools to help green their operations and fulfill the need for practical and targeted knowledge to support the transition to inclusive green economies.

The platforms are a joint initiative of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Bank, under the auspices of the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP).

SMEs’ involvement in transitioning to an inclusive green economy is critical to achieving the SDGs.

The Green Industry Platform and the Green Finance Platform were announced on 16 July 2019 on the sidelines of the UN High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, US. The platforms will build on the GGKP, which provides know-how to support national-level green policymaking.

The Green Industry Platform is a user-friendly online database of information, tools and practical guidance to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to become more efficient, competitive and sustainable by going green. It will provide SMEs with technical knowledge to green their input materials, end products and operations, and with the evidence that “greening” their companies will improve their bottom lines.

Welcoming the launch of the platforms, Li Yong, Director General, UNIDO, explained that since SMEs employ up to 60% of the global workforce, their involvement in transitioning to an inclusive green economy is critical to achieving the SDGs.

The Green Finance Platform will provide banks, insurance and investment firms with a “one-stop shop” for the latest financial sector innovations to start, scale and measure their contributions to a green economic transition. It will include: tools for businesses and investors to assess natural capital risks and opportunities; guidance on responsible banking, insurance and finance; and global reports on aligning the financial system with sustainable development. [UNEP Press Release] [GGKP Press Release]