GGKP Knowledge Update | A New Global Language For Natural Resources, An Introduction to Green Economy for Parliamentarians

Jay OwenGreen Prosperity, Greentech, Earth Systems Science

KNOWLEDGE UPDATE May 2019 – Issue 4
Featured News A New Global Language for Natural Resources A group of researchers from the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) have developed a new environmental classification system to fully categorize the renewable and non-renewable natural resources that underpin our economies. This represents a critical first step in being better able to measure, monitor and manage these assets. “Before this there was no single system for classifying all aspects of nature, so everyone was reporting it in different ways. Now both the public and private sector can use the same language, ultimately leading to  more consistent and holistic decision-making,” says lead author Katie Leach, Senior Programme Officer in UNEP-WCMC’s Business and Biodiversity team. This system is central to ENCORE (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure), an online tool that enables users to visualise how the economy depends on nature and how environmental change creates risk for businesses.  Read the full article
New Research
Biodiversity: Finance And The Economic And Business Case For Action
The OECD has released the report, “Biodiversity: Finance and the Economic and Business Case for Action”. It presents a preliminary assessment of current biodiversity-related finance flows and discusses they key data and indicator gaps that need to be addressed to underpin effective monitoring of both the pressures on biodiversity (i.e. responses) being implemented. The report spotlights ten priority areas where G7 and other countries can prioritize their efforts. This report was prepared for the French G7 Presidency and the G7 Environment Ministers’ Meeting, 5-6 May 2019. An Executive Summary and Synthesis is also available.  Read the report
An Introduction To The Green Economy For Parliamentarians
UN Environment and the Inter-Parliamentary Union have released “Shades of Green: An Introduction to the Green Economy for Parliamentarians”. This issue brief aims to provide parliamentarians with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the green economy concept and how it can be applied in different national contexts. It also provides an overview of complementary concepts, including the sharing economy, circular economy, and solidarity economy. It outlines the common barriers in developed and developing countries, and points to eight concrete actions that parliamentarians need to consider to enable the transition to a green economy.  Read the report