UN: Investments Needed for Green Economy Growth

‘Green Economy’ Needs $1.3 Trillion Investment Per Year, UN Says

Feb 21, 2011 - Nations can kick-start a “green economy” by redirecting $1.3 trillion a year from industries that overuse resources to 10 areas ranging from forestry to buildings, the United Nations Environment Program said.

The expense -- about 2 percent of economic output -- would help cut greenhouse gases and avoid price shocks associated with a dependence on fossil fuels and other commodities, UNEP said today in a report.

“Governments have a central role in changing laws and policies, and in investing public money in public wealth to make the transition possible,” said Pavan Sukhdev, a Deutsche Bank AG banker temporarily serving as head of UNEP’s green economy initiative. “By doing so, they can also unleash the trillions of dollars of private capital in favor of a green economy.” {continued}

Green Economy Report Launch 21 February: Live Webcast & Dial-in

A New Blueprint for Green Growth: How Investing Two Percent of Global GDP Can Strengthen Economies and Fight Poverty

What: Press Conference

When: Monday 21 February, 1.00pm - 2.00pm

Where: Press Centre, UNEP headquarters, Nairobi

Who: Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director

Sha Zukang, UN Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs

Lisa Jackson, Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency

Rosa Aguilar Rivero, Minister of Environment, Spain

Pavan Sukhdev, Head, UNEP Green Economy Initiative {continued}

13:30 - 14:30
Green Economy Launch with Mr Achim Steiner, The Executive Director of UNEP