Satbayeva G.S.,
Saparalieva
Kulshat, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University,Kazakhstan, Astana
Development of "green
economy" - URGENT PROBLEM OF HUMANITY
All progressive mankind
at the present stage of development it is clear that if nothing is new
political action , we risk irreversible breach of the environmental pillar of
sustainable economic prosperity in the coming decades. Continuation of the
"brown economy" and any measures taken to preserve it will lead to
further depletion of natural capital , the growth of poverty, conflict , and
irregularities of distribution. Therefore, a transition to a "green"
economy - that is, to such an activity , which leads to higher quality of life
and does not destroy the natural foundations of life itself.
All progressive mankind at the present stage of development it is clear
that if nothing is new political action , we risk irreversible breach of the
environmental pillar of sustainable economic prosperity in the coming decades.
Continuation of the "brown economy" and any measures taken to
preserve it will lead to further depletion of natural capital , the growth of
poverty, conflict , and irregularities of distribution. Therefore, a transition
to a "green" economy - that is, to such an activity , which leads to
higher quality of life and does not destroy the natural foundations of life
itself.
Universally accepted definition of "green economy" does not
exist. Experts from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), offering the most
extensive understanding of this concept, considering the "green"
economy as economic activities, "which increases the welfare of the people
and ensure social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and
the impoverishment of nature." Universally accepted definition of
"green economy" does not exist. Experts from the UN Environment
Programme (UNEP), offering the most extensive understanding of this concept,
considering the "green" economy as economic activities, "which
increases the welfare of the people and ensure social equity, while
significantly reducing environmental risks and the impoverishment of
nature."
In the context of content a more narrow interpretation of the
"green economy" is understood as the development, production and
exploitation of technologies and equipment for the control and reduction of
emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases , monitoring and prediction of
climate change, as well as technologies of energy and resources and renewable
energy. They also include the development , production and use of technology
and materials to protect buildings and structures from sharp fluctuations in
temperature, humidity and wind load , production of environmentally friendly
products, including agricultural and consumer goods.
In other words, in the green economy is the internalization of the costs
associated with environmental degradation , and clean and efficient
technologies and sustainable production are the main factors of high economic
growth , job creation and poverty reduction. "Green " development
helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions , slowing climate change and preserve
the ecological balance . Even if you do not take into account the positive
effect of a green economy in the area of climate change and the
loss of ecosystem services , it is important that the long-term economic growth
in the green scenario will not be constrained by growing scarcity of natural
resources.
All this makes the economy of high-tech , low-carbon and is an important
factor in ensuring sustainable development in the long term. In other words, in
the green economy is the internalization of the costs associated with
environmental degradation , and clean and efficient technologies and sustainable
production are the main factors of high economic growth , job creation and
poverty reduction. "Green " development helps to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions , slowing climate change and preserve the ecological balance .
Even if you do not take into account the positive effect of a green economy in
the area of climate change and the loss of ecosystem services ,
it is important that the long-term economic growth in the green scenario will
not be constrained by growing scarcity of natural resources. All this makes the
economy of high-tech , low-carbon and is an important factor in ensuring
sustainable development in the long term.
The strategic objective of "green economy" - turn the
production of " face-to- nature." At the same time offered such approaches
and tools such as attracting investment in cleaner production , modernization
and transfer of environmentally sound technology , education and training .
Main goal is to get closer to understanding the life-supporting capacity of the
world ecosystem as a whole , in and around the environment of the human
habitat. These aspects of the state of the planet is very poorly understood ,
humanity spends a lot of time and effort on minor things , is struggling with
the consequences rather than the causes , under the authority of errors in
ecology. The strategic objective of "green economy" - turn the
production of " face-to- nature." At the same time offered such
approaches and tools such as attracting investment in cleaner production , modernization
and transfer of environmentally sound technology , education and training .
Main goal is to get closer to understanding the life-supporting capacity of the
world ecosystem as a whole , in and around the environment of the human
habitat. These aspects of the state of the planet is very poorly understood ,
humanity spends a lot of time and effort on minor things , is struggling with
the consequences rather than the causes , under the authority of errors in
ecology.
According to experts, in the short term "green economy" is
able to ensure the growth of GDP, the increase in per capita income and
employment in the same or even higher rates than the traditional
"brown" economy . In the medium to long term "green
economy" will overtake " brown " and also give much greater benefits
in terms of environmental protection and reducing social inequality.
Green economy meets the challenges of time and ensure the dynamic
development without harming the environment. Therefore , it is important to
adopt a strategy of sustainable development, part of which is the green economy
, and to set the "rules of the game", which will provide a
synergistic effect on the economy, environment and social issues. According to
experts, in the short term "green economy" is able to ensure the
growth of GDP , the increase in per capita income and employment in the same or
even higher rates than the traditional "brown" economy . In the
medium to long term "green economy" will overtake " brown "
and also give much greater benefits in terms of environmental protection and
reducing social inequality.
Green economy meets the challenges of time and ensure the dynamic
development without harming the environment. Therefore , it is important to
adopt a strategy of sustainable development, part of which is the green economy
, and to set the "rules of the game", which will provide a
synergistic effect on the economy, environment and social issues.
Thus, according to the study Worldwatch Institute, the world has been
2.3 million " green" jobs and this number is constantly increasing.
Given the global trends , mandatory policy priorities should be: Mainstreaming
economic valuation of natural resources in the socio - economic relations ,
conducting eco- tax reform that respects the principle of "polluter - pays"
, the cardinal view of environmental regulations and standards of economic
activity; harmonization of environmental legislation with the EU legislation ,
conducting technical modernization in industrial facilities , improvement of
audit management; debugging system of environmental certification of products,
goods and services.
According to experts , the Asian countries are emerging as leaders in
the movement towards "green" economy , due to government measures to
support corporate investment in R & D and technological innovation -
oriented business environment. Thus, according to the study Worldwatch
Institute, the world has been 2.3 million " green" jobs and this
number is constantly increasing. Given the global trends , mandatory policy
priorities should be: Mainstreaming economic valuation of natural resources in
the socio - economic relations , conducting eco- tax reform that respects the
principle of "polluter - pays" , the cardinal view of environmental
regulations and standards of economic activity; harmonization of environmental
legislation with the EU legislation , conducting technical modernization in
industrial facilities , improvement of audit management; debugging system of
environmental certification of products, goods and services.
According to experts , the Asian countries are emerging as leaders in
the movement towards "green" economy , due to government measures to
support corporate investment in R & D and technological innovation -
oriented business environment.
This movement is a kind of "catapult" for new leaders. China,
Korea and Japan have a productive, technological and research base which will
effectively capitalize on the benefits of "green" industries.
For example - China, seized in 2010, the global leader in the field of
investment in alternative energy and other segments of cleantech.
South Korea - the second example of a country with a high rate of the
economy on the "green" track.
In August 2008, South Korean President Lee Myung- Bak (Lee Myung-bak)
has announced the date for the "green" growth , and then in 2009 was
formed "Presidential Committee on Green Growth » (Presidential Commission
on Green Growth), which and developed a five-year plan "green" growth
.
"The Law on Low Carbon and Green Growth » (Low Carbon and Green
Growth Act), enacted in December 2009 , South Korea has established an
infrastructure for such growth , part of which was the policy of pre-emptive
encourage investment in "green" projects .
In November 2009 South Korea announced a commitment to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by 30% by 2020, for industrial- based economy of the country
(petrochemicals , steel and automotive industries ) is rather complicated and
ambitious challenge goal . This was done outside the framework of the Kyoto
Protocol , as Government is considering a low-carbon economy as a priority of
national interests.
Since 2011, South Korea launched a system of "green credit card »
(«green credit card»- usual credit cards with special chips ) to encourage
"green " consumption of goods produced with environmental innovations
. The consumption of "green" products and services , the use of
public transport instead of personal use of energy-efficient products will be
considered on a "green credit cards ."
The scale of the "green" sector of the world economy still
relatively small. Cost of products and services in the "green" sector
in 2010 was estimated at $ 2 trillion , or 2.7 % of world GDP , profits - of
530 billion dollars , employment - in the range of 10 million people. But the
contribution of "green" sector to the development of the economic
complex of individual states , which concentrate the bulk of capacity and
investment in this area is much higher :
In the United States the "green " economy provides products
and services to more than 600 billion ( 4.2% of GDP ), employment in it is
estimated at 3,000,000 people;
- Japan - of 3.4 % of GDP and about 1.5 million people ;
-o in the EU as a whole - 2.5% of total GDP and more than 3.4 million
people , but in some countries rates of above :
-o in Germany - about 4.8 % plus the world leader in the export of
environmental goods and services (in particular , over 12 % of world trade in
equipment for climate protection ) ;
-o in 2009 in the UK , a world leader in the proportion of
"green" sector in GDP of $ -240 000 000 000 ( or 8.8 % of GDP ), the
share of exports accounted for 5% of total employment - 3%. In the United
States the "green " economy provides products and services to more
than 600 billion ( 4.2% of GDP ), employment in it is estimated at 3,000,000
people;
- Japan - of 3.4 % of GDP and about 1.5 million people ;
-o in the EU as a whole - 2.5% of total GDP and more than 3.4 million
people , but in some countries rates of above :
-o in Germany - about 4.8 % plus the world leader in the export of
environmental goods and services (in particular , over 12 % of world trade in
equipment for climate protection ) ;
-o in 2009 in the UK , a world leader in the proportion of
"green" sector in GDP of $ -240 000 000 000 ( or 8.8 % of GDP ), the
share of exports accounted for 5% of total employment - 3%.
-As the experience of foreign countries, in adopting the principles of
" green" economy advanced by many states. These processes are
important for Kazakhstan . First, the "green" economy affects the
global fuel market , changing its structure. Second, ignoring the trend of
"green economy", "clean " technologies will lead to a
widening gap in the level of economic development of Kazakhstan and the main
global competitors. Third, as the experience of the EU , the implementation of
the concept of "green economy" - is not only an effective way to
manage the national innovation process (technological corridors and platforms)
through the creation of new standards, certification procedures , but also a
strong incentive for technological renovation number of technologically
advanced industries with large multiplier effect .
In order to create conditions for the implementation of the principles
of "green" economy and the development of regional , inter-regional
and cross-sectoral cooperation in Kazakhstan was developed by the initiative
" Green Bridge ", which was proposed by President of Kazakhstan
Nursultan Nazarbayev at the 3rd Astana Economic Forum in July 2010 and adopted
at the 6th Ministerial Conference on environment and Development in the Asia
-Pacific region (APR ) . Astana initiative is a response to the global
challenges that are taking place in Kazakhstan : climate change , land
degradation , water scarcity , loss of biodiversity.
Bridge - connecting and unifying concept. Kazakhstan undertakes to
ensure that the forces of the office "Green Bridge" technical and
informational support to the development and implementation of the Eurasian
cooperation , and implement informational, methodological and communications
support to the two topics of particular interest and which are relatively new
in the Asia-Pacific region - is the protection of transboundary ecosystems and
adaptation to climate change.
Kazakhstan's active position in the regional process sets the task to
promote the greening of economic development, and consequently - to strengthen
ecological security in the region. The main purpose of nominating the Astana
initiative " Green Bridge" is the realization of the idea of
convergence of European and Asian cooperation.
The concept of this initiative is universal , in particular if the Kyoto
Protocol regulates the area of responsibility of the greenhouse
gas and air emissions , the " Green Bridge " covers a wider area of
responsibility, including not only the atmosphere (air), but also the earth's
surface , water resources , protection of biodiversity , as well as the
promotion of " green" business and green technology . Kazakhstan's
active position in the regional process sets the task to promote the greening
of economic development, and consequently - to strengthen ecological security
in the region. The main purpose of nominating the Astana initiative "
Green Bridge" is the realization of the idea of convergence of European
and Asian cooperation.
The concept of this initiative is universal , in particular if the Kyoto
Protocol regulates the area of responsibility of the greenhouse
gas and air emissions , the " Green Bridge " covers a wider area of
responsibility, including not only the atmosphere (air), but also the earth's
surface , water resources , protection of biodiversity , as well as the
promotion of " green" business and green technology .
The main tasks of the transition to a "green economy" in the
Republic of Kazakhstan are to improve efficiency in the use of resources
(water, land, biological, etc.) and management, modernization of existing and
construction of new infrastructure, improving the well-being of the population
and the quality of the environment through cost-effective ways easing the
pressure on the environment, improving national security, including water
security.
The concept of transition of Kazakhstan to the "green economy"
will be implemented in three phases. The main tasks of the transition to a
"green economy" in the Republic of Kazakhstan are to improve
efficiency in the use of resources (water, land, biological, etc.) and
management, modernization of existing and construction of new infrastructure,
improving the well-being of the population and the quality of the environment
through cost-effective ways easing the pressure on the environment, improving
national security, including water security.
The concept of transition of Kazakhstan to the "green economy"
will be implemented in three phases.
The first phase of the Concept of Kazakhstan's transition to a
"green economy " includes from 2013 to 2020 year - the main priority
of the government will be to optimize the use of resources and improved
environmental performance , as well as the creation of " green "
infrastructure. During this period it is planned to strengthen the network of
experts and partners in the implementation of the priorities of "
green" growth in Europe , Asia and the Pacific, the revision of the
criteria for selecting the most effective technology transfer projects from
Europe to the Asia-Pacific region , and vice versa , providing assistance in
the implementation of the principles of "green growth" in the
strategic planning of the countries of Europe , Asia and the Pacific. Program
is expected to develop partnerships within the five thematic areas of the
Initiative "Green Bridge"
Results of the partnership is already represented in international
forums , meetings and conferences , including a contribution to the realization
of the Millennium Development Goals and the decisions of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development ( Brazil , Rio de Janeiro, 2012 , Rio
+20).
In the second phase - from 2020 till 2030 year - formed on the basis of
a "green" infrastructure will begin the transformation of the
national economy , focused on the careful use of water, encourage and stimulate
the development and widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies , as
well as the construction of buildings on the basis of high standards of energy
efficiency. Results of the partnership is already represented in international
forums , meetings and conferences , including a contribution to the realization
of the Millennium Development Goals and the decisions of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development ( Brazil , Rio de Janeiro, 2012 , Rio +20
) .
In the second phase - from 2020 till 2030 year - formed on the basis of
a "green" infrastructure will begin the transformation of the
national economy , focused on the careful use of water, encourage and stimulate
the development and widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies , as
well as the construction of buildings on the basis of high standards of energy
efficiency.
In the third stage - the first from 2030 to 2050, the first year will be
implemented transition of the national economy on the principles of the so
-called " third industrial revolution " , requiring the use of
natural resources, subject to their renewability and sustainability.
According to experts , the transition to a "green" economy of
Kazakhstan will provide additional GDP growth of 3% in 2050. "Green
modernization is possible without a significant burden to the national economy
, and , in fact , the transition to " green "the economy with
competent implementation will have a positive impact on the economy , will
ensure the increase of GDP in addition to the existing 3% by 2050 , will also
create a from 400 to 600 thousand new jobs in various sectors of the economy.
" In the third stage - the first from 2030 to 2050, the first year will be
implemented transition of the national economy on the principles of the so
-called " third industrial revolution " , requiring the use of
natural resources, subject to their renewability and sustainability.
According to experts , the transition to a "green" economy of Kazakhstan
will provide additional GDP growth of 3% in 2050. "Green modernization is
possible without a significant burden to the national economy , and , in fact ,
the transition to " green "the economy with competent implementation
will have a positive impact on the economy , will ensure the increase of GDP in
addition to the existing 3% by 2050 , will also create a from 400 to 600
thousand new jobs in various sectors of the economy. "
And experts say that in general, the amount of investment required to transition
to a "green" economy , will be about 1% of GDP per year , equivalent
to 3.4 billion dollars a year.
In the general context of the theory of the " green economy"
is based on the postulate that the economy is part of nature and the need to
manage the economy of nature, and not the protection of the environment for the
purpose of production. Ultimately, the goal of the new policy is the creation
of an economy that works not only for the benefit of all people on the planet ,
and for the planet , the biosphere and other forms of life.
In conclusion I would like to note that the transition to a
"green" economy is gaining popularity and is a large-scale interest.
A "green" economy is primarily contributes to economic progress and
provide : the growth of the gross domestic product , and increase the country's
income , creating jobs for the population , while reducing the rate of
unemployment in the country. In this case , the switch to "green "
the economy reduces the risks of global threats such as climate change ,
depletion of mineral resources and the scarcity of water resources.
List of references :
1.
The concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the transition to a "green
economy." Astana, 2013
2
. The Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Development in Asia and the
Pacific, 2010 . Approved by the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and
Development in Asia and the Pacific, October 2, 2010 .
3
. B. porphyry. "Green" Economy: realities and prospects of growth
limits . April 4 , 2013
4
. Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio
de Janeiro , 3-14 June 1992 , Volume I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (
United Nations).
5
. Regional Implementation Plan for Sustainable Development in Asia and the
Pacific, 2011-2015, . Approved at the sixth Ministerial Conference on
Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, October 2, 2010 .
6.
The Astana " Green Bridge" : Partnership countries in Europe , Asia
and the Pacific on the implementation of the " green" growth .
Approved by the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in
Asia and the Pacific, October 2, 2010 .
7.
OECD Environmental Outlook to 2030 (United Nations).