Green Economy - A New Economic Miracle?

Hosted by Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung

How can we achieve growth without exhausting resources? Is a green economy the right choice? Many claim that a green economy will save the world. It promises sustainable growth and responsible development. But can it really keep that promise?

The aim is to introduce patterns of production and consumption that ensure prosperity and a high quality of life for generations to come. Policy-makers are already dreaming of a 'green economic miracle'. But is it a viable vision that can be taken seriously? Or does the goal of a green economy as announced at the Rio+20 conference only serve to obscure the fact that policy-makers have run out of ideas in the face of today's global challenges?

The green economy is a trendy concept, but often it merely describes goals without providing any concrete guidance for action. Meanwhile, contemporary lifestyles and business activities are causing global resources to dwindle ever more rapidly. So is the green economy just a scam?

The workshop will explore such questions as: How can countries achieve growth without overexploiting natural resources? Must rich societies learn to do without? Is it enough to change consumption patterns? Can companies renounce growth without losing their competitive edge?

Experts from politics, research and business will discuss the prospects of a green economy and consider whether and how research can enable a new, green global economic miracle.

Moderation:

Seynsche, Monika
Journalist

Panelists:

Büchel, Dr. Daniela
Head of Corporate Responsibility, Corporate Marketing and Public Affairs, REWE Group, Cologne, Germany

Kraus, Wilfried
Deputy Director General of Directorate, Sustainability, Climate, Energy, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Bonn Germany

Kurz, Prof. Rudi
Former Dean of the Business School at Pforzheim University, Germany

Löschel, Prof. Andreas
Head of the Department "Environmental and Resource Economics, Environmental Management" at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) and Professor of Economics at the University of Heidelberg

Complete session on soundcloud:
WS14 - Green Economy - A New Economic Miracle?