Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication - Enabling Conditions Supporting the Transition to a Global Green Economy

United Nations Environment Programme's Green Economy Initiative, in collaboration with economists and experts worldwide, compiled the book: "Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication."

The chapter: "Enabling Conditions Supporting the Transition to a Global Green Economy" was written by IISD staff and Environics Consulting Firm. The chapter focuses on the changes that could feasibly be introduced in the short to medium term by governments at all levels to enable the conditions that make green sectors attractive opportunities for investors and businesses. It discusses the five key areas of policy-making that have been highlighted in the previous chapters of the book as creating the enabling conditions that support a green economy transition:

• how public investment and spending can be used to leverage private investment, including public infrastructure projects, green subsidies and sustainable public procurement;

• how market-based instruments, such as taxes and tradable permits, can level the playing field and provide market incentives to promote the greening of key sectors;

• how subsidy reform should be implemented in areas that deplete natural capital;

• how a country's regulatory framework of legislation, institutions and enforcement can be designed to channel economic energy into environmentally and socially valuable activity; and

• how international frameworks that regulate economic activity can play a role in driving a green economy.

The chapter concludes with a discussion of additional supporting measures that may be required—capacity building and investment in training and education.

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