can the green economy deliver?

Can Green Economy Deliver?

Soledad Ghione

[email protected]

Latin American Center for Social Ecology

Global Transition Dialogue 2012, NY

mailto:[email protected]


(CLAES for its acronym in Spanish: Centro Latino Americano de Ecología Social)

Can Green Economy Deliver?Global Transition Dialogue 2012, NY




- Think tank on alternatives to development




- Think tank on alternatives to development- Works in most Latin American countries and bases in Montevideo (Uruguay)




- Think tank on alternatives to development- Works in most Latin American countries and bases in Montevideo (Uruguay)- Research on sustainable development, conservation, environmental policy, integration and economy

Can Green Economy Deliver?

“improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities”

(UNEP 2010)

UNEP defines a green economy as one that results in


“improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities”

(UNEP 2010)

UNEP defines a green economy as one that results in

a new economic paradigm


However, GE is neither so new, nor so green…


It is based on the most common definition of Sustainable Development World Commission on Environment and Development (1987)


“development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their own needs”

(WCED, 1987)

It is based on the most common definition of Sustainable Development World Commission on Environment and Development (1987)


This definition of sustainable development assumes limits, but they are not absolute; they are relative


Limits can be managed (“ordered and improved”) to enter in a


This definition of sustainable development assumes limits, but they are not absolute; they are relative

new era of economic growth

Green Economy Scenario

Economic Growth

Natural Resources(used efficiently)


Green Economy Scenario

Economic Growth

Natural Resources(used efficiently)

A NEW ENGINE OF GROWTH



GE is based on Environmental Economy

Serious deficiencies to face environmental problems



Serious deficiencies to face environmental problems

Uses economic instruments to put a price on Nature

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)



Definition: Payment for Ecosystem Service


A PES is:

1. a voluntary transaction where2. a well-defined ES 3. is being ‘bought’ by an ES buyer4. from an ES provider5. if and only if the ES provider secures ES provision (conditionality)

(Wunder 2005)

Payment for Ecosystem Service


In practice: no single PES scheme satisfied all five criteria

(Wunder 2005)



- There are no proofs of effectiveness (only local effects)




- Ecological processes and functions considered “services” (isolating them from the entire ecosystem)




- Ecological processes and functions considered “services” (isolating them from the entire ecosystem)

- If there is payment, there is conservation – what happens when payment stops?



Ecological processes with economic value are those under most pressure, and that a

“buyer” or “donor” is willing to pay

(carbon sequestration, landscape beauty, etc.)



What about those organisms that are neither beautiful, nor (apparently) useful?

So, can GE deliver?


So, can GE deliver? It is doubtful


So, can GE deliver? It is doubtful

GE is insufficient to conserve Nature

and to solve environmental problems


The question is…


the conception of DEVELOPMENT

(it's not considered in GE proposal)

The question is…


It is necessary to look for alternatives to the entire body of ideas about development


Ethical dimension is the key




RECOGNIZING THE RIGHTS OF NATURE


Ethical dimension is the key

It would be no longer needed to search for economic value of natural resources


Nature has an intrinsic value

It would be no longer needed to search for economic value of natural resources


Alternatives to DEVELOPMENT

Conservation of Nature


Alternative scenario



- Multi-valuation of Nature (not only economic)




- Nature as Natural Patrimony




- Nature as Natural Patrimony- Biocentric perspective




- Nature as Natural Patrimony- Biocentric perspective- Technical solutions are necessary but not enough




- Nature as Natural Patrimony- Biocentric perspective- Technical solutions are necessary but not enough- Right of Nature recognized - intrinsic value of Nature




- Nature as Natural Patrimony- Biocentric perspective- Technical solutions are necessary but not enough- Right of Nature recognized - intrinsic value of Nature- Multicultural inclusion




- Nature as Natural Patrimony- Biocentric perspective- Technical solutions are necessary but not enough- Right of Nature recognized - intrinsic value of Nature- Multicultural inclusion- Life Quality - post materialistic


Thank you for your attention

Can Green Economy´ Deliver?Global Transition Dialogue 2012, NY

(UNEP 2010, pp.16)

(UNEP 2010, pp.16)

Can Green Economy´ Deliver?Global Transition Dialogue 2012, NY

can the green economy deliver?

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