Green Transformation and the Future of Growth

Hosted by German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

Citius, altius, fortius - the Latin motto meaning “Faster, Higher, Stronger” figuratively describes the ambitions of millions of people to achieve a better way of life through more consumption, better food, bigger cars, nicer houses and more leisure time. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions rise each year to new record highs, despite the commitments agreed in Kyoto in 1997 to reduce them. And although renewable energy sources now attract more investment than conventional energy sources, there has been a renaissance of coal in the 21st century. Fossil fuels still provide more than 80 percent of the world's energy supply.

What must be done to build a sustainable path to the future without destroying our livelihood? Various green transformation concepts have recently called for inclusive green growth (World Bank, 2012), green growth and development (OECD, 2012), a green economy (UNEP, 2011) or even a great transformation and a social contract for sustainability (WBGU, 2011).

Can growth be sustainable? Do we need it? Do these concepts offer realistic solutions for a sustainable future? Where do they overlap and where do they differ in their solutions? What are the next steps to securing a sustainable future for a global population heading toward 9 billion by 2050?

These and related questions will be addressed by a panel of high-level experts in this workshop organized by the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) - Germany’s leading think tank for development policy.

Moderation:

Messner, Prof. Dirk
Director, German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), Bonn, Germany

Panelists:

Fay, Marianne
Chief Economist, Sustainable Development Network of the World Bank, Washington D.C., United States

Steiner, Achim
Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Upton, Simon
Environment Director, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris, France

Complete workshop on soundcloud:

WS30 - Green Transformationand the Future of Growth