A green economy can be defined as one that results in improved human well-being and
social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.
(UNEP 2011).
A green economy is one which is low in carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.
The concept of a green economy focuses primarily on the intersection between the environment
and economy. It has received significant international attention over the past few years both as a
tool to address the 2008 financial challenges as well as one of the two Themes for the 2012
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).
The green economy is based on the model of sustainable development and the principles of
ecological economics. The concept of a “green economy” does not replace sustainable
development, but there is now a growing recognition that achieving sustainability rests almost
entirely on getting the economy right.
In a green economy, growth in income and employment is driven by public and private
Investments that
a) Reduce carbon emissions and pollution
b) Enhance energy and resource efficiency
c) Prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Why the colour green for an economy?
The colour green is symbolic of the environment and emblematic of sustainable development,
hence the green economy is an economy of the environment. A Green economy system holds a
Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach that emphasises the
interdependency between “people, the planet and profit”.
The green economy aims at meeting the dual goals of high human development and low
ecological impact.
What is the link between green economy and poverty eradication?
Green economy and poverty alleviation was one of the running themes in the Rio+20
Conference held in Brazil in 2012. A key feature of a green economy is that it seeks to provide
diverse opportunities for economic development and poverty alleviation without liquidating or
eroding a country’s natural assets. This is particularly necessary in low income countries, where
ecosystem goods and services are a large component of the
livelihoods of poor rural communities and ecosystems and their services provide a safety net
against natural disasters and economic shocks.
Waste management, sustainable waste management complements the green economy concept.
Greening the waste sector refers to a shift from less-preferred waste treatment and disposal
methods, such as incineration (without energy recovery) and different forms of landfilling
towards the “three Rs”: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
In Zimbabwe there is still an entrepreneurial gap in recycling because there are still few
recycling entities.
What are green Jobs?
Green jobs refer to decent work which contributes directly to reducing the environmental impact
of enterprises, economic sectors or the economy as a whole by reducing energy and resource
consumption, reducing emissions, waste and pollution and by preserving or restoring
ecosystems.
Jobs thus help reduce negative environmental impact ultimately leading to environmentally,
economically and socially sustainable enterprises and economies.
What is the importance of green jobs?
Improve energy and raw materials efficiency
Limit greenhouse gas emissions
Minimize waste and pollution
Protect and restore ecosystems
Support adaptation to the effects of climate change
What are the shades of green in green jobs?
The notion of a green job is not absolute since there are various “shades” of green within which
there are thresholds defining the degree aimed for environmental improvement?
This is a concept in constant evolution as we strive towards a green economy. Originally, only
those jobs involved in the protection of biodiversity and the environment were regarded as
“green”. More recently, this notion has been broadened to include the creation of jobs
contributing to resource efficiency.
What major economic opportunities can renewable energy present?
The greening of the energy sector requires substituting investments in carbon-intensive
energy sources with investments in clean energy as well as efficiency improvements.
Many opportunities for improving energy efficiency pay for themselves, while investments in
renewable energy technologies are already growing in today’s market as they are becoming
increasingly competitive.
Examples of renewable energy:
Solar energy
Wind Energy
Hydropower
Bio-energy /biofuels
The African High Level Conference on Green Economy
The African High Level Conference on Green Economy was held in Oran, Algeria, from
The 22nd of February to the 23rd of February 2014. The conference was attended by 30 African
Ministers, 1000 participants and representatives of international institutions and organisations
such as African Union, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations
Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR), Regions in Action on Climate Change (R20)
among others. The conference was organized by the Algerian Ministry of Territorial Planning
and Environment.
In Zimbabwe the Business Council of Sustainable Development in conjunction
With UNIDO, Ministry of Environment, Water, and Climate as well as Ministry of Industry is
spearheading the Green growth Initiative among industries.
Green mining contributes to a green economy
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