What exactly is this “green economy”? Let’s see what all the fuss is about.

In fancy technical language, courtesy of our friends at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the green economy can be referred to as ”one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities”.

Alternatively, using GEEBIZ terminology, a green economy is one where growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that:

  • Reduce carbon emissions and pollution.
  • Enhance energy and resource efficiency.
  • Prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

That’s all well and good in theory, but what about in practice?

Well, in the UK alone, the green economy,

  • Accounts for 8% of GDP.
  • Contributed 1/3 of 2012’s economic growth.
  • Employs nearly 1 million people.
  • Created 25,000 new jobs in 2012.

In other words, while the traditional economy is flat-lining, losing jobs left, right and centre, and generally being less than courteous in how it treats our planet, the Green Economy is thriving, creating more and more jobs and treating Mother Nature with the respect she deserves.