May 2012: The UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) has published a magazine on the green economy and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). Titled “From Green Economy to Green Society: Bringing the Social to Rio+20,” the publication highlights key findings from research carried out by UNRISD in the lead-up Rio+20.

One article notes that the green economy has emerged as a pathway towards sustainable development, and has called attention to the environmental failings of economic development. An article on viewing the green economy through a social lens suggests that a fair and equitable green economy transition must seek to transform the social structures, institutions and power relations that underpin vulnerability, inequality and poverty.

A think piece on gender equality highlights that a gendered assessment of consumption patterns may be needed, in order to replace outdated carbon-intensive models of development with innovative thinking that can shift the focus to aspects of wellbeing that are more sustainable. The article notes that these are core social dimensions of sustainable development often missing from green economy debates.

Finally, an article on using social policy for green economy transformation highlights that an “eco-social” policy agenda integrating environmental and social risks can support a fair and green economy, provided that such an agenda addresses structural causes of inequality and exclusion, and strengthens accountable institutions that promote rights and social inclusion.

The magazine is part of a larger UNRISD project on Social Dimensions of Green Economy and Sustainable Development, which also includes: a Conference on “Green Economy and Sustainable Development: Bringing Back the Social Dimension,” held in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 2011; an inquiry on the impacts of green economy initiatives and strategies on different social groups and patterns of inequality; short think pieces; a series of six films; publication of “Greening the Economy,” a special issue of the journal Development; and an occasional paper series, in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). [Publication: From Green Economy to Green Society: Bringing the Social to Rio+20] [UNRISD Webpage on Green Economy]