Green growth is not an oxymoron. All sustainable communities and civilizations practice green growth. Highlights of such communities are:

1. Needs of community members focussed upon rather than the desires of individuals.

2. Reverence for nature

3. Giving more than taking.

4. Participation of all stakeholders

5. Awareness of a Higher Power, which makes one realize that he/she is not the center of the world

6. Emphasis on Soul rather than personality

These features exist in all sustainable communities which live close to nature. These concepts needs to be adapted to the industrialized and the so-called "developed" world.

Again, the success or failure depends on the individuals in societies. Diamler Benz had a green car program which was abandoned a few years later simply because "Green doesnt sell". The intentions were there but did not find the right reception in society.

It all ultimately boils down to human nature, not newer patented technologies. When people's THOUGHT-WORD-DEED are in congruence, the possibilities are unlimited. When people dont walk the talk, everything fails. Man cheats man and this is the tragedy of the commons.

Thanks Raveendra, for your answer. Indeed, good point, it is partly a matter of demand. If society demands greener products and more sustainable energy, for instance, then firms may adjust to meet that new demand; since ultimately economic growth is demand driven as Keynes has well argued. Though on the other hand, government regulation is required as well to help the private sector (particularly at the supply front end) shift smoothly onto greener paths.

Government regulation, ideally, is the right thing to do. Societies can veer unregulated towards anything, like legalizing Marijuana or drugs. A responsible government therefore has to put down its foot to say 'No' to popular public demand.But when private companies/investors interfere with great leverage to influence government policy to suit their own plans and profits, Government regulation is the last thing such economic policies need.

Again, it depend on individuals and his/her preference for ethical thinking which translates to ethical behaviour and actions. Its upto each one of us to do "What we WANT to do" or to do "What we HAVE to do". 'Green' is therefore, All in the Mind.

I have a critical draft paper on this (not for circulation or quoting) if you'd like to see it; critical analysis of it would be welcome! [email protected]

recently we had a big discussion in Germany on this issue, which was published in GAIA - unfortunately in German ...:

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/oekom/gaia/2010/00000019/00000003/art00006#expand/collapse

Stephan, would it be possible by any chance to have 2-3 sentences summarising the conclusions you reached on this issue published in GAIA?

Hi Serban,

Green growth is currently in fact a contradiction in terms. Our current technological stock (i.e., installed and running production, distribution and consumption system) does not allow green growth. Saying this, the idea of economic (and population) growth with no adverse consequences to the environment is certainly very desirable. To make green growth while keeping high levels of comfort and convenience for a large proportion of (if not all) people in earth requires massive innovation. To a certain extent this has awakened the imagination of businesses and governments alike. Most likely we will see over the next decade a significant effort to invest massive resources on innovation to face a number of "grand challenges". Policy developed in the European Commission is well advanced in this direction with programs like H2020 and the change of the vocation of a significant part of the European Cohesion and Reconstruction Funds over the next 6 years oriented towards innovation.

In the paper that you can find in the link below, we posed the hypothesis that the EU has started a long term process of innovation-structuration along the line of facing the grand challenges (climate change included). IN the paper we trace back the origins of such new rationale. Amongst other reasons, such restructuration (via innovation) process results highly convenient for policymakers as it provides lose policy targets while promising large revenues in new business areas.

Article European innovation policy: new rationales and challenges