Framing green growth and sustainable development

Story of Chicken: Case Study in Thailand

This scenery is very common in Thailand!!!

Green growth is economic growth that is environmentally sustainable (WB, 2012) Global context of Green Growth Enhances the quality of growth End goal is to operationalize sustainable development Figure from Poverty- Environment Partnership 2012.

Asia's policy makers must pursue inclusive and green growth simultaneously if they wish their people to enjoy the fruits of sustainable growth. There is no trade off. (ADB, 2012) Regional context of Green Growth

The developing world is growing fast

Fastest-growing countries are in developing world

What factors are pushing growth in developing regions? improved governance with growing democratic accountability and reduced conflict discovery and exploitation of minerals and oil and gas deposits attracted investors as last bastions of growth gains of Asian prosperity spread to Africa with China as leading investment partner “brain-drain” to “brain-gain” as expatriates return

And the quality of current economic growth is neither inclusive nor sustainable growth is heavily dependent on either a resources boom which cannot last forever or exports to a shrinking developed world GDP growth drivers do not create the most jobs, leading to jobless growth 50% of Africa’s population are without access to energy, other basic infrastructures and services; likely exacerbated by climate change impacts much of Asia has no access to basic services, poverty is still prevalent, and environmental quality is rapidly degrading.

DeterminantTrendCharacteristic Population increasing High fertility rates, especially among less educated and poor populations; but the overall rate of population growth is predicted to decrease in the mid-term future. Economy Increasing High GDP growth rates per year; mainly from agriculture and natural resources exploitation. Rural-urban migration Increasing Many young people move to cities to seek employment opportunities; rural areas drained of youth, reducing social vitality; urban lifestyles are energy and resource intensive. Consumer-class Increasing The so-called ‘good life’ typified by media images of western-style consumerism now define the lifestyles of the consumer class and aspirations of the poor. Market pressure Increasing Innovative ways of stimulating consumption, such as aggressive advertising, credit card use, consumer loans, and rebates after purchase are on the rise. Poverty Variable, but absolute numbers not declining Developing world is home to most of the world’s total poor. They predominantly live in slums in cities and in rural areas (unsustainable livelihoods). Sustainability pressures in developing countries

Adverse impacts of climate change (Photo: WB) threat to human life, health, livelihood, food security drags development growth, drives the cycle of poverty increases overall risks and vulnerability

BAU Green growth represents an iterative process leading towards a green economy NOTE: GG pathway tailored to development circumstances Near term: more focus on managing local priorities Consider irreversible consequences with long term impacts Source: Sperling, GG

We cannot afford to “grow now, clean up later” Number of haze days/yr in different cities in China Photo: Fan Meng