14 June 2012: The Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP), a network of bilateral aid agencies, development banks, UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has released a paper titled “Building an Inclusive Green Economy for All: Opportunities and Challenges for Overcoming Poverty and Inequality” on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).

The report finds that many developing and least developed countries (LDCs) are pursuing a transition towards low-carbon, resource efficient economies, and provides policy options to encourage the growth of the green economy. The paper also includes five “building blocks” necessary to move towards a green economy, namely: the development of national economic and social policies; increased local rights and capacities; the development of inclusive green markets; harmonized international policies and support; and new metrics for measuring progress.

PEP members include: the Asian Development Bank (ADB); Australia; Finland; Germany; the International Institute for Environment and Development; the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the UN Development Programme (UNDP); the UN Environment Programme (UNEP); the World Bank; the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); and the World Resources Institute (WRI). [Poverty and Environment Partnership Press Release] [UNEP Press Release][Publication: Building an Inclusive Green Economy For All]