Green Economy - A Sustainable Concept?

In the context of the Green Economy Initiative, the Environmental Program of the United Nations (UNEP) defines green economy as “one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” Thus green economies are not based on the demand for sacrifice, but on the idea of qualitative growth, where low-carbon and environmentally friendly technologies, as well as international cooperation in this area play a key role. While the emergence of worldwide markets of green technology and products are seen by some as an opportunity, others fear a new, green protectionism and that the Green New Deal will cement the North-South dependency given highly different economic performance and innovation.

Against this backdrop, six international young professionals explore the chances and limitations of the concept of Green Economy.