About this Discussion

Green growth provides a means by which economic, environmental and social goals can be simultaneously achieved. It presents an opportunity to make existing industries more sustainable while at the same time encouraging new industries and a diversified economy. 

Achieving a green and inclusive economy will be critical for tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. SMEs will play an indispensable role in achieving this economic transformation due to the large share of global business they represent. Accounting for about 99% of enterprises in OECD countries, SMEs also employ a significant share of people, especially in low-income countries, where they contribute to, on average, 78% of employment compared to 65% in high-income countries.  

Due to their large numbers, the very diverse nature of their businesses and their typically small number of employees, the barriers to greening the operations of SMEs are generally more complicated to overcome than those for larger companies.

Industry and Entrepreneurship

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Science Based Targets Network

Register now to learn how your company can set a clear course of action to protect nature and the climate in line with science. The Science Based Targets Network enables companies and cities to play a vital role in creating an equitable, nature-positive, net-zero future using science-based targets… Read More

So far, there has been no way for companies to account for their benefits and costs to society and the environment. According to the Impact-Weighted Accounts Initiative (IWAI) at Harvard Business School, it becomes apparent that many companies are creating environmental costs that exceed their total profit. So, how to measure a company's real impact?

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https://hbr.org/2020/09/how-to-measure-a-companys-real-impact

Can fossil fuel subsidy reform in emerging economies bring large environmental benefits? Will it affect the number of industrial jobs? Check out this report by OECD on assessing the impact of energy prices on plant-level environmental and economic performance.

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https://www.oecd.org/environment/assessing-the-impact-of-energy-prices-on-plant-level-environmental-...
Government of South Africa, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit(GIZ) GmbH, United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP), International Labour Organisation(ILO)

On 15 April to 10 June 2021, the Government of South Africa, UNEP, GIZ, and ILO are hosting a virtual dialogue series on "Green jobs for a better future". Read More

Green industry development in China: An index based assessment from perspectives of both current performance and historical effort

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119457

WRI has launched a new microsite on #JustTransitions. It highlights initiatives by governments, communities and companies that provide lessons for how workers and communities can benefit from the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

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https://www.wri.org/just-transitions
SolarPower Europe, Carbon Intelligence, Solarcentury

As solar PV is projected to be the primary force towards decarbonisation and combating climate change, it is important to consider the social and environmental impacts of solar deployment beyond the TeraWatt scale. Leading players across the PV industry are evaluating how to integrate environmental… Read More

It Looks Like a Vespa, Rides Like a Vespa, but Doesn’t Smell Like a Vespa - An Irish mechanic in London has developed a kit to transform classic Italian scooters into clean-riding electric machines.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/business/electric-vespa-scooter.html
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

What’s business doing for biodiversity? Unpacking what the business sector is doing for nature, and how these actions can benefit local action for biodiversity.  Read More

Climate action in Asia - a region that produces more than half of global emissions - is intensifying, and competition among rivals helps. There has been 57% increase in companies setting carbon-cutting targets or are in the process of getting targets approved, between 2019 and 2020.

An interesting article that questions whether the Asian corporates' targets realistic, ambitious or greenwash.

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https://www.eco-business.com/news/asian-companies-claim-they-are-going-net-zero-but-are-their-target...