Lakshmi Dhar Hatai
Contd from prev issue
· Energy renewable currently supplies nearly 15 percent of the world’s primary energy demand. Renewable energy investments can play a substantial role in meeting the Millennium Development Goals while adding significant co-benefits such as improved public health, energy security and economic activity.
· Fisheries currently deliver annual profits to fishing enterprises worldwide of about US$8 billion, and directly and indirectly support 170 million jobs and US$35 billion in fishing household income a year. The sector, however, is underperforming. Rebuilding depleted fish stocks and putting in place effective management could increase marine fisheries catch from about 80 million tonnes to an estimated 112 million tonnes a year.
· Forests are being cleared or degraded at a rapid rate because of over-harvesting and pressure from other land uses, including agriculture and cattle. Action at international and national levels to develop forest carbon projects open up the prospect of new types of forest related employment, livelihoods and revenues; where local communities can be guardians of forests and forest carbon/ecosystem services.
· Manufacturing consumes one third of the global energy supply, emits a quarter of the total world greenhouse gas emissions, and represents a significant part of primary resource extraction. This explores potential gains from investing in improved resource efficiency across a range of key industrial sectors.
· Tourism is assessed in partnership with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This chapter focuses on how investments in sustainable tourism solutions can contribute to the sustainable development of the sector and the transformation to the Green economy at the national and global level.
· Transport costs, which can add up to nearly or over 10 percent of a country’s GDP, are likely to grow further under the current trends of ever-increasing motorization. Investment in green transport could support cities by reducing congestion, air pollution and other costs through the creation of green jobs, particularly through the development of public transport infrastructure and operations, and by alleviating poverty through increased affordability of transport and improving accessibility to markets and other essential facilities.
· Waste generates economic, social and health related costs and liabilities around the world. Solid waste services consume up to 2 percent of GDP in developing countries and up to 50 per cent of cities administrative budgets. By turning waste into a resource and encouraging the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste, significant gains can be achieved in decoupling waste production from economic growth.
· Water scarcity is becoming a global phenomenon that will challenge the future of nations. Current water allocation, pricing and investment policies and practices are undermining opportunities for economic and social progress. Demand for access to water is rapidly increasing. Many supplies are becoming less reliable. Policy regimes that facilitate rapid adaptation to changing supply conditions and changing demands are essential.
Achieving a transition to a Green Economy will only be possible through the collective vision, creativity, action and support from a broad cross-section of society, including governments, the private sector and consumers. It is time to catalyze and embed the Green Economy transition across the globe from the international level down to the local community. The green economy focuses in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication over the coming years and decades. Moreover, the Green Economy is one which achieves increasing wealth, provides decent employment, successfully tackles inequities and persistent poverty, and reduces ecological scarcities and climate risks.
For further details contact:- Public Relation & Media Management Cell, CAU, Imphal. Email:
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