Developing countries on the way toward a sustainable green economy

We consider an economy “green” when it promotes a triple bottom line: sustaining and advancing economic, environmental and social well-being. A key moment was the publication of the report Limits to Growth by the Club of Rome in 1972. And since then, we should always take immediate actions to move the date of the Earth OverShoot Day.

From all corners of the world, it is emerging and developing countries who are leading the way. From United Nations Environment Programme, we listed 3 success stories to paint a general picture:

• Organic Agriculture in Uganda: Uganda has taken important steps in transforming conventional agricultural production into an organic farming system, with significant benefits for its economy, society and the environment. As an illustration: approximately 80,000 farmers have been involved in certified cash crop production with a value of app. 15 Mio US$ yearly generating a total export value of more than double this amount (EPOPA 2008). The world's lowest usage of artificial fertilizers has been harnessed as a real opportunity to pursue organic forms of agricultural production, a policy direction widely embraced by Uganda.

Uganda: Top 3 organic producers in the world

• Sustainable Urban Planning in Brazil: The city of Curitiba, capital of Parana State in Brazil, has successfully addressed urban challenges caused by increasing populations by implementing innovative systems over the last decades that have inspired other cities in Brazil, and beyond. Particularly known for its Bus Rapid Transit system, Curitiba also provides an example of integrated urban and industrial planning that enabled the location of new industries and the creation of jobs.

• Forest Management in Nepal: community forestry occupies a central place in forest management in Nepal. In this approach, local users organized as Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) take the lead and manage resources, while the government plays the role of supporter or facilitator. Forest management is a community effort and entails little financial or other involvement on the part of the government.

If you want to have a deeper vision of green economy in all economic, politic and scientific point of views, search on our open-access platform where a huge community of researchers shares their papers for free (and join them here!). Here are 3 top headlines selected to read or download as you want:

1. Green Economy and Sustainable Development: The Economic Impact of Innovation on Employment

2. Sleeping with the enemy? Biodiversity conservation, corporations and the green economy

3. Moving Towards Integrated Policy Formulation and Evaluation: The Green Economy Model

All in all, it turns out that many parts of the world - including some surprising locales - are taking important and unexpected steps toward creating economies that use natural resources sustainably, create jobs, reduce inequalities in society and don’t lead to runaway climate change.

To hear more from an involved fan in political ecology and his real experience in Cambodia, just here to read our interview with Dr. Charlie Stephan.

If you’re doing or you know a green economy project to share, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us.