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 Program (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.
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 World watch 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 World watch 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;
-
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 :
-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 );
-
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-sectorial 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 trans boundary 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 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
3.Approved by the Sixth
Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific,
October 2, 2010.
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.