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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.
Skill Development for Green Economy
The key challenges for India are to expand access to food, energy, water, and other essential goods and services
to its growing population. It needs to work towards the objective of alleviating poverty and catalysing sustainable
development. The development of skills for green jobs is crucial to ensuring an efficient transition from unsustainable
to a green economy by matching supply and demand for skills. A green job can be found in business, non-profit
organisations, government, or education.
Some green jobs may have specific requirements for green skills, such as an organic farmer needs to have knowledge
and skills for growing organically certified crops. Solar technicians or engineers should possess the knowledge and
skills for design, installation and maintenance of solar panels and appliances. Other green jobs may not necessarily
require specific skills. For example, a graphic designer or a cashier working for a green company or organisation
will be contributing to the development of green growth and economy.
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