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The document describes the Caribbean's approach to a green economy, defined by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) as aiming for long-term prosperity through equitable benefit distribution and ecological management. It highlights the increasing importance of resilience following the 2017 hurricanes and the emerging, though still conceptually unclear, 'blue economy' framework promoted by international actors. Key sectoral efforts focus on renewable energy (solar, geothermal, and wind) and greening the tourism industry. The text details various multi-stakeholder and intergovernmental initiatives, including the Caribbean Green Economy Action Learning Group, the Santa Cruz Declaration on Local Green Enterprises, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States' (OECS) commitment to a strategic action plan for an inclusive green economy. Specific national examples include Grenada's 2016 Blue Growth Coastal Master Plan and the development of a Local Green-Blue Enterprise Radar in Trinidad and Tobago.

The document outlines Senegal's commitments to biodiversity and sustainable development, highlighting a $5 million joint program with UNDP to create 100,000 green jobs. It evaluates the agroecology and fisheries sectors, noting successes in organic seed production and artisanal fisher awareness, while warning of systemic failures such as soil degradation, lack of conservation infrastructure, and persistent illegal fishing practices.

The document outlines Uganda's green economy efforts, noting the development of the Third National Development Plan and a Draft Climate Change Bill. It emphasizes the economic risk of climate inaction, which could cost between US$ 3.2 and 5.9 billion over ten years, and details the degradation of the River Rwizi catchment due to farming and mining.

The report argues that social inclusion is core to the green economic transition and that citizen-led dialogues are an effective tool for bridging the gap between local stakeholders and national policymakers. It documents experiences from seven 'Hubs'—the Caribbean, India, Mongolia, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda—where multi-stakeholder processes were used to identify local priorities and influence policy. Key outcomes include the promotion of fly ash bricks in Bihar, India; the development of a Green-Blue Economy Strategy in the Eastern Caribbean; and the creation of a catchment management plan for the River Rwizi in Uganda. The document concludes with ten policy insights, emphasizing that inclusive transitions require embedded governance systems, robust institutional mechanisms for stakeholder voice, and a focus on 'nexus issues' that link social, economic, and environmental goals.

The document outlines the state of Perú's green economy transition, noting that while the public sector has been slowed by political turmoil and corruption, the private sector—particularly green SMEs—is emerging as a driver for change. It identifies critical barriers for green businesses, including limited access to finance, a lack of labeling standards, and tax systems that favor 'brown' businesses. The text emphasizes the need for better alignment of scattered initiatives and the potential for international cooperation (via PAGE, GIZ, and GGGI) to help implement a national green growth plan.

The Working for Water (WfW) scheme in South Africa is a large-scale integrated land management project launched in 1995 to clear invasive alien plants. By utilizing a labour-intensive approach, the program addresses water scarcity and biodiversity loss while providing employment and social services to marginalized communities. As of 2017, it creates approximately 50,000 jobs annually and operates over 300 projects across all nine provinces with an annual budget exceeding R400 million. While successful in clearing over 3 million hectares of plants and increasing streamflow, the program faces challenges in balancing immediate socioeconomic job creation with long-term ecological impact and managing the complexities of rapid expansion.

The Bolsa Floresta Programme (BFP) in Amazonas, Brazil, uses a payment for ecosystem services (PES) model to reduce deforestation while supporting local communities through cash transfers and infrastructure investments. Since 2007, it has expanded to 583 communities and 10.9 million hectares, reporting a 54% reduction in deforestation rates compared to pre-2008 levels. However, the programme faces challenges regarding the low value of cash payments and the difficulty of monitoring remote areas.

The guide outlines low-cost strategies for businesses to become 'green', focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement. Key recommendations include switching to LED lighting, installing low-flow water fittings, reducing paper waste through digital receipts, and incentivising reusable coffee cups. It also suggests dietary shifts toward locally-sourced vegetarian options, eliminating standby power consumption, implementing bike-to-work schemes, composting food waste, and purchasing second-hand furniture. Additionally, it advises employers to select ethical, green investment funds for employee pensions.

The guide outlines how urban gardens in the UK can mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce energy consumption, and lower carbon footprints through strategic planting, water conservation, composting, and home-grown food production.

The GEC Steering Group approved the Organization of American States (OAS) as a member and discussed the 'Measure what matters' (MWM) brand, which focuses on alternative ways of measuring success for green and fair economies. The group also reviewed the structure of an upcoming global meeting centered on the question 'how does everyone get a stake?' and noted plans for a global SME plan and a Partner Growth strategy to be developed by September 2018.

The text advocates for a transition to a green and inclusive economy in India, moving beyond niche discourse to a fundamental industrial model. It highlights the importance of decoupling economic growth from resource use and calls for greater engagement from the Indian government and civil society to achieve sustainable development goals.

The 2018 Green Economy Barometer for Mongolia highlights a significant gap between the country's international commitments and domestic implementation. While Mongolia has adopted the Green Development Policy and the Sustainable Development Vision 2030, it ranked 79th out of 80 countries in the 2016 Global Green Economy Index. The report identifies severe environmental challenges, including air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, desertification affecting 77.8% of the territory, and water scarcity. Economically, the report argues that investing 4% of GDP annually into green development could reduce poverty to 10% and unemployment by 2% by 2030. Current green employment accounts for 9.9% of total jobs. Financial needs for energy efficiency, renewables, and pollution control are estimated at over 11 billion USD, though green financing remains limited.

The 2018 Green Economy Barometer for Mongolia highlights a significant gap between the country's legislative commitments and actual implementation. While the government has adopted the National Green Development Policy and Sustainable Development Vision 2030, Mongolia ranked 79th out of 80 countries in the 2016 Global Green Economy Index. The report argues that investing 4% of GDP into green development could reduce poverty to 10% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2030. Current challenges include severe air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, land degradation affecting 77.8% of land, and a precarious economic dependence on volatile mineral exports.

The Uganda Green Economy Barometer 2018 argues that while Uganda has a conducive policy environment and significant natural capital, the transition to a green economy is hindered by poor policy implementation, high initial costs, and a financing gap. It highlights the potential for green growth to create 4 million jobs and boost GDP by 10%, provided there is political commitment, economic reform, and increased private sector investment in sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable transport.

The Green Economy Barometer 2017 reports a dichotomy in the global sustainability transition. While electric vehicle sales grew 42% in 2016 and lithium-ion battery prices fell 75% since 2011, fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) continued to provide approximately 86% of the world's energy. The report notes a disconnect between high-level geopolitical commitments and 'on the ground' realities, where rural economies and smallholder farmers lack investment, and automation threatens low-skilled workers. While countries like Peru, Uganda, the UK, and India have introduced green growth strategies or targets, the report warns that nature protections are being dismantled in some regions, such as India and South Africa.

The 2018 Eastern Caribbean Green Economy Barometer evaluates the transition to a green economy (GE) in the OECS, concluding that progress is "below average." While member governments generally acknowledge the GE concept, the report finds that definitions remain narrow, often lacking focus on equity and inclusion. Key barriers include a lack of structured fiscal policies, the absence of finance ministries in GE dialogues, and a failure to integrate natural capital valuation into national policies. Despite these gaps, the report identifies "green shoots" such as renewable energy commitments in Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Lucia, as well as the Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP).

The India Green Economy Barometer 2018 finds that while India has high potential for a green transition and has made significant strides in renewable energy and social inclusion, the overall progress is slow and insufficient. The report identifies key blockages, including the perception that environmental protection hinders economic growth and a lack of mature green financial markets. It highlights successes in solar capacity expansion and corporate social responsibility but warns that a 'business-as-usual' approach threatens long-term wellbeing due to natural resource overuse and rising inequality.

The Peru Green Economy Barometer 2018 evaluates the country's shift toward sustainability, noting a tension between optimistic private and civil society initiatives and a fragmented overall transition. It highlights the role of the 2018 Framework Law on Climate Change as a critical roadmap for coordinating national efforts. Key areas of focus include the potential for non-conventional renewable energy, the promotion of electric vehicles through tax reforms, and the need to integrate natural capital into government decision-making. The report emphasizes that for the transition to scale, Peru must improve the dissemination of green financial instruments, promote transversal sectoral actions, and ensure the inclusion of vulnerable and indigenous populations in the green market.

The Senegal Green Economy Barometer 2018 examines the country's shift toward a green economy, highlighting the tension between steady GDP growth (over 6.5% since 2015) and rising absolute poverty. It identifies key sectors for greening—specifically agriculture, energy, and SMEs—and evaluates the government's efforts to integrate environmental norms into the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE) 2035. The report emphasizes that for the transition to be successful, it must address social inequalities and provide financial incentives for the private sector to adopt sustainable practices.

The South Africa Green Economy Barometer 2018 evaluates the country's transition to a sustainable economy, awarding it a '5 out of 10'. While South Africa has strong policy foundations like the National Development Plan and the Green Economy Accord, the report finds that the economy remains locked into 'brown' energy systems, with 90% of electricity still generated from coal. Progress in renewable energy has been stalled by a gridlock between the national utility Eskom and independent power producers. The report highlights a critical gap in supporting the informal sector and small enterprises, noting that 'green jobs' created through public works programmes often lack security and decent wages. Environmentally, the country's ecological footprint continues to exceed its biocapacity, and biodiversity hotspots remain in a dire state. Financially, while green bonds and sustainable finance innovations have emerged, fossil fuel subsidies persist. The document concludes that national plans remain too focused on economic growth rather than social development and the integration of natural capital into decision-making.