With 7 billion people in the world today and more than 9 billion anticipated by 2050, we must invest in development that will meet the growing demands for food, water and energy.

That is the core message of a new OECD publication that says green growth must be at the heart of global development policies.

The report, ‘Putting Green Growth at the Heart of Development’ says that future investments could define a path for inclusive growth and sustainable development by focusing on people’s needs and prospects while respecting the environment. It also gives examples where developing countries have successfully undertaken green growth initiatives.

With a world population of 9 billion by 2050 development policies must focus on meeting the growing demands for food, water and energy. OECD
According to the report, green growth as a means to achieve sustainable development, places a high value on natural assets that are essential to the livelihoods of people, particularly in developing countries, where they can contribute to poverty reduction and social equity.

Highlighting the nature of the challenges and opportunities in this field, OECD Secretary General Gurría said: “Putting green growth at the heart of the development agenda requires real political leadership to instill change at international, national and local levels.”

“Our report shows that green growth can offer new opportunities for developing countries. We are looking forward to working with governments and the development co-operation community to reap the benefits of a greener growth path for the well-being of the people in our partner countries,” he added.

Countries that are pursuing green growth strategies

To scale up and broaden efforts to green their growth, the report recommends that developing countries must mobilize key coordinating ministries - in particular finance, development planning, and labour - to set clear plans, goals and to allocate necessary resources to spur action.

This has worked well in Cambodia, which adopted a National Green Growth Roadmap that emphasises access to water, agriculture, renewable energy, mobility, finance and investment.

In the case of Ethiopia, the goal of its Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy is to increase GDP by 475% by 2030 and to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

By removing costly and polluting fossil fuel subsidies, and giving cash transfers to low-income households to off-set the higher price of diesel fuel, the Indonesian government can invest more in health and education, encourage energy efficiency and improve air quality without creating an extra burden for poor people.

China’s plan to create green jobs in the forestry sector could employ a million people. In Madagascar, controls on overfishing have lead to larger shrimp, improved market access and higher export prices.

The export value of Uganda’s organically certified pineapple, ginger and vanilla almost trebled over 10 years.



International Co-operation Still Needed

International co-operation can also provide essential support to developing countries as they manage the transition to green growth. The report highlights many innovative ways that donor countries are working closely with partner governments and local stakeholders to promote sustainable business and investment for green growth.

It also underlines that the targeted use of aid and development finance can support domestic resource mobilisation and private investment. Strong international markets can boost trade in green goods and services and technological co-operation can increase the pace of green innovation and tailor it to local needs.

One year after Rio+20, this OECD report shares early lessons from developing countries and development co-operation on efforts to use inclusive green growth as a means to achieve sustainable development.

Working jointly with developing countries and its development co-operation partners, this publication reviews nearly 80 green growth policies and initiatives from 37 developing countries as well as several regional initiatives.