3GF and Green Economic Growth

The Global Green growth Forum (3GF)* has ended in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conclusion is that economies based upon green technology are the only way to guarantee an economically viable future. This forum was about airing bold decisions for the future of humankind by guaranteeing sustainable economic development.

Setting the tone, Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt stated that "3GF offers a space for world economic leaders to challenge conventional thinking and find new green avenues to growth. Jointly we can promote the bold decisions which will make all of us winners of tomorrow's green industrial revolution".

200 participants from 27 countries and 5 continents attended the event, which counted on the participation of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga, 12 Ministers and deputy Ministers, five leaders of UN organizations, 50 global corporate leaders, leading civil society organizations and world leading experts.

In his keynote speech Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of public-private collaboration, "The green growth agenda can help drive the advancement of sustainable development for the twenty-first century. It is good business - good politics - and good for society."

Emphasising how, Kandeh K. Yumkella, the Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), stated that the way forward is to guarantee that industries do not harm the environment, so as to ensure an economically viable future.

The sectors highlighted as the key elements for a green revolution are energy, transport, trade and finance and the way forward, as stated during the two-day forum, is public-private partnerships in the areas of sustainable biofuels for civil aviation; green international trade; global green public procurement; energy efficiency and renewable energy.

*3GF has been developed in association with the Global Green Growth Institute and was formed as a public-private partnership with a number of businesses and international organizations. Progress of 3GF initiatives discussed and advanced this year will be revisited next year, when the second Global Green Forum will be held in Denmark on 9-10 October 2012.

Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey

Pravda.Ru