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A green economy is an economy that aims at reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities, and that aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment. It is closely related with ecological economics, but has a more politically applied focus. The 2011 UNEP Green Economy Report argues "that to be green, an economy must not only be efficient, but also fair. Fairness implies recognizing global and country level equity dimensions, particularly in assuring a Just Transition to an economy that is low-carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive."
Energy is sustainable if it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Most definitions of sustainable energy include considerations of environmental aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions and social and economic aspects such as energy poverty. Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric power, solar, and geothermal energy are generally far more sustainable than fossil fuel sources. However, some renewable energy projects, such as the clearing of forests to produce biofuels, can cause severe environmental damage.
The Climate Group is a non-profit organisation that works with businesses and government leaders around the world to address climate change. The Group has programmes focusing on renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Launched in 2004, the organisation operates globally with offices in the UK (headquarters), the United States and India.
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Green growth is a term to describe a hypothetical path of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable. It is based on the understanding that as long as economic growth remains a predominant goal, a decoupling of economic growth from resource use and adverse environmental impacts is required. As such, green growth is closely related to the concepts of green economy and low-carbon or sustainable development. A main driver for green growth is the transition towards sustainable energy systems. Advocates of green growth policies argue that well-implemented green policies can create opportunities for employment in sectors such as renewable energy, green agriculture, or sustainable forestry.
Green urbanism has been defined as the practice of creating communities beneficial to humans and the environment. According to Timothy Beatley, it is an attempt to shape more sustainable places, communities and lifestyles, and consume less of the world's resources. Urban areas are able to lay the groundwork of how environmentally integrated and sustainable city planning can both provide and improve environmental benefits on the local, national, and international levels. Green urbanism is interdisciplinary, combining the collaboration of landscape architects, engineers, urban planners, ecologists, transport planners, physicists, psychologists, sociologists, economists and other specialists in addition to architects and urban designers.
An energy transition is a significant structural change in an energy system regarding supply and consumption. Currently, a transition to sustainable energy is underway to limit climate change. It is also called renewable energy transition. The current transition is driven by a recognition that global greenhouse-gas emissions must be drastically reduced. This process involves phasing-down fossil fuels and re-developing whole systems to operate on low carbon electricity. A previous energy transition took place during the industrial revolution and involved an energy transition from wood and other biomass to coal, followed by oil and most recently natural gas.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research non-profit organization established in 1982 with funding from the MacArthur Foundation under the leadership of James Gustave Speth. Subsequent presidents include Jonathan Lash, Andrew D. Steer and current president Ani Dasgupta (2021-).
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water, commonly known as CEEW, is a Not-For profit Think Tank and policy institution based in New Delhi, India. CEEW was formed to provide independent research-based insights to policymakers for building a sustainable India. The Council also has an office in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It has multiple research projects running across 22 Indian states and other parts of the world.
The European Green Deal, approved in 2020, is a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission with the overarching aim of making the European Union (EU) climate neutral in 2050. The plan is to review each existing law on its climate merits, and also introduce new legislation on the circular economy, building renovation, biodiversity, farming and innovation.
Green recovery packages are proposed environmental, regulatory and fiscal reforms to build prosperity in the wake of an economic crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic or the Global Financial Crisis. They pertain to fiscal measures that intend to recover economic growth while also positively benefitting the environment, including measures for renewable energy, efficient energy use, nature based solutions, sustainable transport, green innovation and green jobs, amongst others.
References
- ↑ "About us". Beyond Zero Emissions. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ↑ "Beyond Zero Emissions - Our team". Beyond Zero Emissions. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ↑ McGann, James (2019). 2019 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report. Pennsylvania, USA: University of Pennsylvania. p. 245.
- ↑ The Million Jobs Plan. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2020. ISBN 978-0-6489724-0-2.
- ↑ Derwin, Jack (30 June 2020). "Mike Cannon-Brookes has endorsed a plan to create 1.8 million jobs and turn Australia into a 'renewable energy superpower'". Business Insider.
- ↑ Blake, Matich (3 July 2020). ""Australia's last chance": BZE publishes renewables powered Million Jobs Report". PV Magazine Australia.
- ↑ "Zero Carbon Communities". Zero Carbon Communities. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ "Home :: Snapshot". snapshotclimate.com.au. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ "Fight For Planet A: Our Climate Challenge". ABC iview. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ "ABC - Community Solutions Plan". fightforplaneta.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ Renewable Energy Superpower. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2015. ISBN 978-0-9923580-1-3.
- ↑ Solutions, Beyond Zero-Science and. "BZE speaks to Gerard Drew – Beyond Zero - Science and Solutions – Podcast". Podtail. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ "BZE speaks to Prof Ross Garnaut". 3CR Community Radio. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ "2019 Winners". www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ↑ "2019 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report". 2019.
- ↑ "2019 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report". 2019.
- ↑ Team, Prospect. "Think Tank Awards 2018: the winners" . Retrieved 2020-09-23.
- ↑ "Beyond Zero Emissions". Giving Green. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
- ↑ Zero Carbon Australia - Stationary Energy Plan. University of Melbourne, Energy Research Institute. 2010. ISBN 978-0-9808258-0-0.
- ↑ "Awards and Recognition". Beyond Zero Emissions. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
- ↑ Laggard to Leader. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2012.
- ↑ Repowering Port Augusta. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2012.
- ↑ Buildings Plan. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2013. ISBN 978-0-646-90735-2.
- ↑ 2013 Global Go To Think Tanks. Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania. 2013. p. 93.
- ↑ High Speed Rail. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2014. ISBN 978-0-9923580-0-6.
- ↑ Fossil Economy. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2014.
- ↑ Carbon Capture and Storage - Information Paper. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2014.
- ↑ Land Use: Agriculture and Forestry - Discussion Paper. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2014. ISBN 978-0-9923580-1-3.
- ↑ The Energy Freedom Home. Scribe Publications. 2015. ISBN 978-1-9251067-1-8.
- ↑ Renewable Energy Superpower. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2015.
- ↑ Carbon Crisis. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2015.
- ↑ Electric Vehicles. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2016. ISBN 978-0-9923580-2-0.
- ↑ Zero Carbon Communities Guide. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2017. ISBN 978-0-9923580-9-9.
- ↑ Rethinking Cement. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2017. ISBN 978-0-9923580-2-0.
- ↑ Electrifying Industry. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2018.
- ↑ Australian Local Government - Climate Review 2018. Beyond Zero Emissions, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI Oceania) and Ironbark Sustainability. 2018. ISBN 978-0-9923580-4-4.
- ↑ The 10 Gigawatt Vision - How renewable energy and investment can power jobs in the Northern Territory. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2019.
- ↑ Collie at the Crossroads. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2019.
- ↑ "About :: Snapshot". snapshotclimate.com.au. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
- ↑ The Million Jobs Plan. Beyond Zero Emissions. 2020. ISBN 978-0-6489724-0-2.
