IEEP presentation of Knossos Green Economy briefings 18 june 2012 UNEP Pavilion in Rio

1. How can Research best Inform the Transition to a
Green Economy?
Patrick ten Brink
Senior Fellow, Head of Brussels Office, IEEP
Presentation at event on ‘EU Research towards Rio+20:
Lessons from projects on the Green Economy’
12:00 to 13:00 18 June 2012,
Rio de Janeiro

2. KNOSSOS policy briefings on green economy
Main briefing:
What do we mean by green economy?
Supporting briefings:
• Green economy in the EU;
• Green economy in the context of
Rio+20;
• Green economy and sustainable
development
By: Doreen Fedrigo-Fazio, Patrick ten Brink,
Leonardo Mazza, Sirini Withana, Emma Watkins,
Axel Volkery, Sonia Rouabhi (IEEP)

3. Green economy in context
• Green economy is not a new concept. It builds
on discussions over last 40 years
• 1970s-1980s: meeting needs within
environmental limits, ecological modernisation
(links between environment and economy)
• 1990s: sustainable development, three pillar
approach
• 2000s: sustainability, growth, competitiveness,
jobs
• However problems remain and recent crises
(economic, financial, environmental, social)
have reinvigorated the discussion since 2008

4. What is a green economy?
“one that results in improved human well-being and
social equity, while significantly reducing environmental
risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression,
a green economy can be thought of as one which is low
carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.”
(UNEP Green Economy Report)
“fostering economic growth and development,
while ensuring that natural assets continue to
provide the resources and environmental services
on which our well-being relies”.
(OECD Green Growth Strategy)

5. The Transition to a Green Economy
Current Situation Building Blocks in the Ambitions for the Future
Transition to a Green Economy A Green Economy
Declining Sustainability
in a Brown Economy Improved human well-being and
Business-as-Usual
social equity, while significantly
Approaches
Resource over-exploitation & reducing environmental risks and
pollution pressures Avoiding Unsustainable Trade- ecological scarcities
offs
Climate Change + Staying within a ‘safe operating
Environmental compliance & space’: using resources within the
Biodiversity and natural infrastructure planet’s regenerative capacities &
capital loss avoiding critical ecological
+
Governance
thresholds
Good
Critical ecological and Active environmental
resource thresholds passed management No net loss of biodiversity and
or at risk climate change within ‘acceptable’
Active Risk Management
limits
Resource scarcity and limited
+
access to a clean Proactive Investment in Natural Sustainability for future
environment Capital generations and business:
available natural capital and a
+ clean environment
Health impacts and man-
made natural disasters Pursuing environmental
sustainability Health and livelihoods for citizens
An economy that is not Eco-efficiency and communities
resource efficient, low carbon + An economy decoupled from
and socially inclusive
Decoupling via Radical environmental impacts and
Source: Patrick ten Brink & Leonardo Innovation & Demand change resource use
Mazza, own representation

6. ACQWA project
• Quantify influence of climate change on water resources in mountain
regions and analyse impacts on society and economy
• Case study:
• Climate change and evolution of land use in Spanish Pyrenees has
affected availability and management of water resources in Ebro basin.
• Need improved management especially given anticipated water
scarcity and subsequent conflicts among water users

7. COMETR
• Review experience with carbon-energy
taxes in SE, DK, NL, FI, SL, DE, UK.
• Scenario results show reductions in GHGs
in 6 MS (FI, SE, DE, NL, UK, DK), largest
reductions where tax rates highest (FI, SE)
• Environmental tax reform (ETR) has
positive on economic activity depending on
how revenues are recycled. However, likely
to be transition costs so gains may not be
immediate.
• 5 MS show increase in GDP as a result of
ETR (FI, SE, DE, NL, DK)

8. INSTREAM
• Propose indicators – including
natural capital and SEEA accounts
- to assess progress on economy,
well-being, environment, long-
term sustainability
• Use indicators to support
integration in various policy areas
• Use range of indicators across
policy areas and at different
stages in policy cycle
Invest in natural capital and environmental-economic
accounts to have the evidence for the future

9. What next?
• Invest in research and build the evidence base
• Build on lessons from research – for each of the buildings blocks
for the transition to a green economy.
• Evidence underlines importance of (inter alia):
– Risk mapping and proactive risk management
– Environmental Fiscal Reform (environmentally harmful
subsidies, environmental tax reform, positive incentives etc.)
– Environmental accounts: water, resources, natural capital and
SEEA – and associated indicators/information base.
• Need a community of learning for a green economy
• Need active science-policy interface

10. Panel Questions
Q1: What research insights do you know of that give a valuable new
evidence base to inform the transition to a green economy?
Q2: What are they key gaps in the evidence base and which of these
should be prioritised for research effort?
Q3: Who can most usefully do the research – and what is the need for
global cooperation?

11. Thank you for your attention
Patrick ten Brink
Senior Fellow and Head of Environmental Economics Programme, IEEP
ptenbrink@ieep.eu
Thanks also to IEEP’s Sirini Withana and Doreen Fedrigo-Fazio
IEEP is an independent not for profit institute dedicated to advancing an environmentally sustainable
Europe through policy analysis, development and dissemination.
For further information see: http://www.ieep.eu
Follow us on twitter: IEEP_EU
Or PtenBrinkIEEP
The new Manual of European Environmental Policy:
http://www.europeanenvironmentalpolicy.eu/