global-meeting-2019-combined-policy-briefings-a683b309ad28e4df.pdf

This collection of policy briefings by the Green Economy Coalition outlines a framework for a fair and sustainable green economy transition. It emphasizes the need for systemic financial reform to penalize 'brown' investments, the integration of natural capital into national accounting, and the necessity of social inclusion to ensure marginalized groups and SMEs have a stake in the new economy. Key recommendations include closing the 'missing middle' financing gap for SMEs and adopting a 'capitals approach' to measure national wealth beyond GDP.

• A transition to a green economy requires a fundamental reform of the global and local financial architecture to move away from short-termism and 'brown' investments. Proposed reforms include implementing a 'brown penalising factor' to make it harder for banks to hold brown loans, introducing environmental and ethical stress testing for financial balance sheets, and increasing investment transparency so individuals can divest from unsustainable assets.
• There is a significant funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), estimated at $2.5 trillion per annum. To address this, the document suggests using decentralized financing—directing funds to local governments, NGOs, and micro-enterprises—to bypass upstream barriers and utilize local knowledge.
• The document advocates for a 'capitals approach' to national accounting, moving beyond GDP to include natural, produced, human, and social capital. While countries like Australia, Costa Rica, Netherlands, New Zealand, Uganda, and the UK are leading this, the goal is for 100 countries to compile natural capital accounts by 2020. Specific recommendations include establishing Natural Capital Committees that report directly to Finance Ministries.
• For the green transition to be successful and legitimate, it must be inclusive, specifically addressing the needs of marginalized groups such as small-scale farmers, coal miners, and informal waste-pickers. Key strategies include prioritizing 'just transitions' in the workplace, creating millions of green jobs to offset losses in unsustainable sectors, and implementing innovative social policies like universal basic income or payments for ecosystem services.
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are identified as critical drivers of the green economy, particularly in emerging economies where formal SMEs can contribute up to 60% of total employment and 40% of GDP. However, they face a 'missing middle' financing gap, with the World Bank estimating that approximately 70% of all micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets lack access to credit.
• To empower green SMEs, the document recommends several policy interventions: creating a simple legal form for social enterprises to improve tax and financing environments, supporting the self-organization of informal microbusinesses to win group contracts, and aligning local policies with national and international frameworks like the SDGs.

APA

Green Economy Coalition (n.d.). global-meeting-2019-combined-policy-briefings-a683b309ad28e4df.pdf. https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/Global-Meeting-2019-Combined-Policy-Briefings.pdf

Chicago

Green Economy Coalition. global-meeting-2019-combined-policy-briefings-a683b309ad28e4df.pdf. n.d. https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/Global-Meeting-2019-Combined-Policy-Briefings.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Economy Coalition |title=global-meeting-2019-combined-policy-briefings-a683b309ad28e4df.pdf |url=https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/Global-Meeting-2019-Combined-Policy-Briefings.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greeneconomycoalitionndglobalmeeting2019combinedpolicybriefingsa683b309ad28e4dfpdf, author = {{Green Economy Coalition}}, title = {{global-meeting-2019-combined-policy-briefings-a683b309ad28e4df.pdf}}, institution = {Green Economy Coalition}, url = {https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/Global-Meeting-2019-Combined-Policy-Briefings.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }