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The GEC Strategy 2014-2017 outlines the Green Economy Coalition's plan to accelerate the transition to a green, fair, and inclusive economy. The strategy focuses on improving the narrative of the transition, establishing dialogue hubs, developing ethical frameworks for natural capital, and promoting equity and financial reform through civil society leadership.

This research paper examines China's approach to the green economy and its interaction with the G-20, specifically following the 2012 Los Cabos Summit in Mexico. The author argues that while China is domestically committed to greening its economic development due to severe environmental degradation, it remains reluctant to accept mandatory international obligations that might hinder its economic growth. The paper highlights a disconnect between China's internal policy terminology and the 'inclusive green growth' framework promoted at the G-20, suggesting that China's organizational structure for G-20 participation further marginalizes environmental policy.

This research paper examines the tension between the 'green growth' agenda promoted by Mexico and the 'sustainable development' concept advocated by Brazil during the 2012 G-20 summit. It analyzes how Brazil's domestic industrial and energy policies often conflict with green economy goals due to a preference for autonomous industrialization and short-term economic growth, while also assessing Brazil's diplomatic coordination with other BRICS nations on climate issues.

This report documents a policy dialogue session held on October 4, 2013, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to assist the Government of Manitoba in developing a green economy action plan as part of its 'TomorrowNow' climate change plan. The session, facilitated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the University of Winnipeg, identified key sectors for transition, existing barriers, and necessary policy tools to enhance the province's competitiveness in a global market shifting away from resource-intensive products.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development outlines policy tools for transitioning to a green economy, focusing on financing mechanisms. It uses Costa Rica's Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) as a case study to illustrate how direct financial support, funded by taxes and international agreements, can reduce deforestation and create green jobs, while discussing the challenges of securing public funding in Manitoba.

This briefing note from the International Institute for Sustainable Development outlines fiscal policy instruments as tools to facilitate the transition to a green economy, providing case studies from Germany and Canada to illustrate how taxes, subsidies, and levies can incentivize sustainable practices.

This briefing note from the International Institute for Sustainable Development outlines institutional and policy processes (IPPs) that can facilitate a transition to a green economy, using case studies from Ontario and Manitoba to illustrate their application and limitations.

The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) met on February 26-27, 2013, in Switzerland to establish its work programme for Phase 3 (2013–2015). The coalition aims to champion a green economy based on equity, inclusion, and ecological limits, countering a prevailing 'brown economy' landscape and narrow 'green growth' definitions. The strategy focuses on three core activities—dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collective influence—and five thematic projects targeting measurement, financial reform, sector greening, social equity, and natural capital management.

This policy brief summarizes an October 2012 event hosted by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and PwC, where seven experts proposed strategies to improve consensus-building and cooperation within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations.

This Final Basic Assessment Report, prepared by Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultants for the City of Cape Town, evaluates the proposed establishment of a 'Green Technology Manufacturing Cluster' on Portions 1 and 4 of Farm CA1183 in Atlantis. The project aims to support the renewable energy sector by providing land for the manufacture of wind turbine blades, towers, photovoltaic (PV) panels, and inverters. While the development is aligned with regional socio-economic goals to alleviate poverty and unemployment in a distressed area, it will result in the total loss of endangered and critically endangered vegetation on the 38.65-hectare site.

This report examines the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) within technical-vocational education and training (TVET) in Manitoba, Canada. It identifies promising practices, such as the development of a new alternative energy program and the inclusion of sustainability outcomes in curricula, while highlighting significant barriers including lack of funding for green equipment, insufficient teacher training, and a gap in provincial-level policy guidance. The report suggests strengthening partnerships with industry to identify green skill demands and expanding professional development for educators to better prepare students for a green economy.

This document is an address by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) delivered to the 49th Session of UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board on September 25, 2012. Cosbey argues that the outcomes of the Rio+20 conference are insufficient for guiding states through the trade tensions arising from the transition to a green economy. He highlights the conflict between the use of green industrial policies—such as subsidies and local content requirements—and their impact on the multilateral trading system, particularly for developing countries. Cosbey calls for a non-legal, non-negotiating framework, potentially led by UNCTAD, to determine the propriety and effectiveness of these measures before they escalate into formal trade disputes.

The Green Economy Coalition expresses strong disappointment with the Rio+20 Summit's Declaration, arguing that it lacks the concrete measures, targets, and timelines needed to transition to a green economy, create jobs, and address global inequity.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International criticizing the outcomes of the Rio+20 Summit, arguing that industrialised governments are retreating from the Rio principles of 1992 and promoting a 'Green Economy' model that commodifies nature.

This briefing by Friends of the Earth International examines the influence of Shell and other corporate entities on the UN's Rio+20 process. It details how Shell utilizes a network of interlinked business associations and lobbying groups—including the ICC, WBCSD, and the UN Global Compact—to shape global sustainability standards and policy, often operating through 'BINGOs' (business-backed NGOs) to gain privileged access to UN decision-making.

The Green Economy Pocketbook advocates for a transition to a green economy to address economic recession and environmental degradation, proposing a re-orientation of the economy to deliver wellbeing within natural limits through changes in measurement, finance, sector management, and human investment.

This report presents the results of a three-year investigation into the triple bottom line (TBL) performance of 1,337 small, medium-sized and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in developing countries. Conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the SEED Initiative, the study analyzes the social, environmental, and business targets of these enterprises across three cohorts of applicants. It highlights the critical role of technology, skills training, and research partnerships in the 'green economy,' while identifying significant barriers such as lack of financing, inadequate local environmental enforcement, and gender-based disparities in business management capacity.

In this briefing, Simon Maxwell, Executive Chairman of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), analyzes the failures of 'first wave' environmentalism surrounding the 1987 Bruntland Report and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. He argues that for the Rio+20 Summit to transform development, it must avoid three historical errors: failing to establish the relative urgency of environmental issues compared to immediate economic crises, lacking a convincing narrative on growth, and remaining isolated within environmental ministries rather than engaging mainstream economic planning.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the success of the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development depends on integrating a rights-based approach. It examines the historical evolution of human rights and environmental linkages from 1972 to 2002 and critiques the January 2012 Zero Draft of the Rio+20 outcome document for failing to recognize the fundamental right to a healthy environment.

The 2012 State of the Nation Address by President Jacob G Zuma outlines a 'massive infrastructure development drive' designed to combat the 'triple challenge' of unemployment, poverty, and inequality in South Africa. The address details strategic investments in transport, mining, and social infrastructure, while reporting on progress in job creation, education, and land reform.