What is the relationship between sustainability and the green transformation of the economy to build a sustainable, zero-carbon, green circular economy?
The essence of sustainability derives from the study of sustainable, human-interference-free, biodiverse natural ecosystems of specific natural environments, which contain a wealth of species of flora, fauna and micro-organisms linked by many different ecological relationships. The ideas of sustainability are applied in developing the characteristics of sustainability in various aspects of human activity, the development of civilisation, various aspects of the economy, etc. The importance of the role of sustainability and its application in the context of economic development is growing in direct proportion to the scale of the increase in the negative effects of the development of human civilisation, which include the increasing scale of environmental pollution, the increasing scale of deforestation, the increasing scale of betonosis i.e. These include the increasing scale of environmental pollution, growing scale of deforestation, increasing scale of betonosis, i.e. urbanised areas and shrinking green areas in cities, growing emissions of greenhouse gases, accelerating greenhouse effect, accelerating global warming, growing scale of soil depletion, forest fires, weather anomalies and climatic and natural disasters, decline of biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems, etc. The aim is to reverse these negative processes, which have a negative impact on the environment. In order to reverse these negative processes and save as much of the planet's threatened biosphere as possible, it is necessary to carry out a green transformation of the economy on a multifaceted scale. In this respect, a system of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been defined within the framework of cyclical UN conferences on this issue and the global problems of climate change, which should be implemented on as large a scale as possible in order to reduce the scale of action and negative effects of unsustainable, intensive, rapid economic development within the framework of a predatory brown economy based on high scale exploitation of natural resources, including non-renewable natural resources, energy production mainly based on dirty fossil fuel combustion energy, increasing scale of environmental pollution, increasing scale of greenhouse gas emissions, negligible scale of secondary raw material use and recycling, accelerating global warming, rapid degradation of the biosphere, decline of biodiversity, etc. One of the key aspects of achieving a green transformation of the economy is to build a zero-carbon economy based on sustainable, zero-carbon, green energy, i.e. the development of renewable and zero-carbon energy sources. This is essential and should be realised in 100% by the end of this decade of the 2030s at the latest if the main strategic goal of international environmental and climate policy is to be met, i.e. to halt the global average global atmospheric temp. increase of max. 1.5 degrees C since the beginning of the first industrial revolution. This goal was defined and established for implementation at the UN conference on this issue, i.e. during the so-called Paris Agreement of 2015. Of course, the green transformation of the economy is a much more multifaceted process, in which all sectors and branches of the economy, many fields of human activity, many aspects of the development of civilisation, the ongoing development of energy, industry, agriculture, technological progress, etc. should be involved in practice. The green transformation of the economy should take place within the framework of a pro-environmental and pro-climate transformation of the classic growth, brown, linear economy of excess to a sustainable, green, zero-emission growth and closed loop economy, in which the implementation of the goals of sustainable development and increasing the scale of sustainability at the level of development of civilisation in relation to the surrounding environment should be strategically important objectives.
In view of the above, I address the following question to the esteemed community of scientists and researchers:
What is the relationship between sustainability and the green transformation of the economy in order to build a sustainable, zero-carbon, green circular economy?
And what is your opinion on this?
What is your opinion on this subject?
Please respond,
I invite you all to discuss,
Thank you very much,
Best wishes,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
Sustainability and the green transformation of the economy are closely interrelated concepts. The green transformation of the economy refers to the shift towards a more sustainable, low-carbon, and resource-efficient economic model that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, preserves natural resources, and fosters social and economic development.
Sustainability, on the other hand, refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In other words, sustainability is about achieving economic, social, and environmental goals in a balanced and integrated way.
The green transformation of the economy is essential for achieving sustainability because it requires a fundamental shift in the way we produce and consume goods and services. This shift involves moving away from a linear economic model based on the extraction of finite resources, high energy consumption, and waste generation, towards a circular model that prioritizes resource efficiency, renewable energy, and waste reduction.
The green transformation of the economy can also provide opportunities for sustainable development by creating new markets, jobs, and technologies, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. It can also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.
In summary, sustainability and the green transformation of the economy are closely linked, with the latter being a key strategy for achieving the former.
@Dariusz Prokopowicz
I suggest reading the paper "The green economy and sustainable development: an uneasy balance?"
The Green Economy is an alternative vision for growth and development that can generate economic development and improve people’s lives in ways consistent with advancing environmental and social well-being. One significant component of a green economy strategy is promoting sustainable technologies' development and adoption.
Sustainability and the green transformation of the economy are closely linked, as the transition to a more sustainable economy requires a shift towards more environmentally friendly practices and technologies.
The concept of sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This requires a balance between economic development, social equity, and environmental protection.
The green transformation of the economy involves a shift towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy that minimizes environmental impact while promoting economic growth and job creation. This can involve a range of initiatives, such as investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices.
By promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing the environmental impact of economic activity, the green transformation of the economy can help to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience. This can include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services, and promoting resource efficiency and circular economy principles. Ultimately, sustainability and the green transformation of the economy are both essential for creating a more equitable, prosperous, and resilient future for all.
https://timesagriculture.com/the-green-revolution-and-norman-borlaug-remarkable-work/
The relationship between sustainability and the green transformation of the economy to create a sustainable, zero-carbon, green circular economy is critical. Sustainability, as defined by the United Nations, is the “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (United Nations, n.d.). Sustainability aims to protect the natural environment, conserve resources, and reduce the impact of human activity on the planet. To this end, the green transformation of the economy is necessary to build a sustainable, zero-carbon, green circular economy. The green transformation of the economy is an effort to transition from a linear, take-make-waste economic system to a circular design that reduces waste and minimizes the use of resources. This involves rethinking how goods and services are produced, consumed, and disposed of. It also focuses on creating economic models prioritizing renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and green technology. Additionally, it seeks to reduce carbon emissions, improve waste management, and promote sustainable consumption and production. These changes can help reduce economic activities' environmental impact while fostering economic growth and development. The green transformation of the economy is closely related to sustainability as it can help to reduce environmental degradation, conserve resources, and reduce the negative impacts of climate change. Such a transition can potentially reduce the production of greenhouse gases and increase the usage of renewable energy sources. In addition, the green transformation of the economy can create jobs and increase economic opportunities, providing financial and social benefits to communities. To build a sustainable, zero-carbon, green circular economy, governments and businesses must work together to implement policies and strategies that promote sustainability. This can include investment in renewable energy sources and green technology, implementing taxes and incentives that encourage sustainable production and consumption, and regulating environmental standards. Additionally, governments and businesses should engage in public-private partnerships to promote sustainable practices and stimulate green investment. Sustainability and the green transformation of the economy are closely linked, and both are essential for creating a sustainable, zero-carbon, green circular economy. To achieve this, governments and businesses must work together to implement policies and strategies that prioritize sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of economic activities.
References:
United Nations (n.d.). What is sustainable development? Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
In my opinion, on the one hand, the green transformation of the economy should move towards the creation of a sustainable closed loop economy. On the other hand, the process of carrying out the green transformation of the economy should take into account the implementation of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Besides, the green transformation of the economy based on carrying out a pro-environmental and pro-climate transformation of the classic growth brown linear economy of excess to a sustainable green zero-carbon growth zero-carbon economy and closed loop economy should refer to the essence of sustainability known from the functioning of biodiverse natural ecosystems, in which these ecosystems function as devoid of human civilization interference, in which there are many ecological relationships occurring between many species of specific forms of living beings, etc. Building a functioning carbon-free, sustainable, green closed-loop economy in this way will probably not be easy, but it should be a goal to aim for if we want to save the planet from global climate catastrophe and biodiversity disaster for future generations of people. It is essential to develop and improve systemic instruments for activating green entrepreneurship, green financing, etc.
What is your opinion on this issue?
Please answer,
I invite everyone to join the discussion,
Thank you very much,
Best regards,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
A most interesting discussion, triggered by a great thought provoking questions and some most interesting replies. The basis, seemingly, is the green economy that then propagates a circular economy that is (hopefully) emission reducing, which results in sustainability. Within my research, in developing economies, and in a specific sector, agri-food, I have found that, what i call 'realities' set in. There is a need for flexibility of green economy systems, for example, many practices provided in terms of agri-food trade, can be very green sensitive, by their very nature. As such, these 'technologies' of practice can be very effective as they are a 'bottom-up' approach to the green and circular economy. Such practices are nothing new, but are very effective, in not only being green, but also in enabling, for example, the distribution of food. The major issue though, is the emissions footprint, which is much harder to tackle in reality. For example, cooking stoves of street food vendors, cannot be tackled with such ease as compared to waste valorisation, which most commonly occurs. I have found that a top down approach is important, but critically a bottom up approach is also important. In many countries in development, the green footprint is very good, but unfortunately the emissions footprint a lot less. This emissions footprint, though, is minuscule compared to developed economies for example. However, and overall, there are no choice options left, other then a green and circular economy that is emission reducing.