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This means vehicles on the road which leads to traffic congestion, waste of time for all the commuters, and a great
load of particulate matter and carbon monoxide from the exhaust of vehicles should be slowly replaced with an
efficient public transport system.
Green Economy
The term “Green Economy” was first coined in a 1989 report for the Government of the United Kingdom by a
group of leading environmental economists, entitled "Blueprint for a Green Economy". There is no internationally
agreed definition of a green economy but many countries have realised that the country’s economy and the
balance in the environment go hand in hand. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has defined the
green economy as “one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing
environmental risks and ecological scarcities. It is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive”.
It is an effort of the whole world to create a healthy planet by using alternative ways of growth and development
that improve quality of life of people through sustainable development. It also means healthy clean air to breathe,
pure water to drink and wholesome food to eat for all without exhausting our present natural resources and saving
it for the future generations to come.
Characteristics of Green Economy
Environmentally sustainable development has become the main goal of all the countries across the globe since
the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992. It emphasises that the Green Economy
provides prosperity for all within the ecological limits of the planet. It focuses on:
• Well-being and prosperity for all people by providing good education, decent livelihoods, and jobs.
• Supporting human rights and social equity especially the rights of under-privileged and minorities.
• Nurturing the geographical boundaries to safeguard, restore and invest in nature. It protects the biodiversity
and natural ecosystems.
• Creating prosperity within planetary boundaries for sustainable production and consumption. It provides
economical growth by aligning prices, subsidies, and incentives with true costs to society.
• Good governance by adapting sound science and economics along with local knowledge. It prioritises public
participation, informed consent, transparency, and accountability.
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