There were many of ideas that rivalled for my ‘best of the bunch’ but I am going to focus on a single one and develop my thinking for it a bit more. My thoughts are still in their infancy and need much development, and so you will have to forgive me for the myriad of gaps.
The Green Economy - A Club of Nations and Cities
In short this would comprise a club of nations and cities who have signed up to a set of principles and rules but in return get access to a range of environmental financial and social benefits.
The goals would be visionary but simple.
To get into the club, a nation or city must agree to abide by a set of rules. These rules and indicators will be progressive and enforceable over time and if not met, the nation or city will be excluded. There will be a set of pre-requsite requirements to get in such as; not at war; not a dictatorship (will need careful thought to ensure inclusiveness but not so low as to discredit the group)
Nations will need to agree to independent measurement and verification. An index will be developed identifying the best and the worst.
Rewards and access to benefits that will be awarded according to the index of performance and progress to meeting goals.
The Goals
Economies to strive towards
· 100% renewable energy
· 100% clean water
· All materials and waste to be 100% recyclable or reusable
· All products and materials safe and clean
· Social equity
· Net positive biodiversity
The Index
We will need to establish an index and many issues will need to be covered including
· Biodiversity
· Water
· Net Carbon emissions
· % renewables
· % clean water
· Environmental management
· Land ownership and laws
· Political stability
· Corruption
· Gender issues
· Certification
· Planning laws
· Subsidies
To name but a few (Wow this is getting complex!!)
Benefits
Benefits will come in the form of access to services, technology and preferential finance. Examples of these are follows
· Cheap money, preferential loans
· IP
· Emerging technologies
· Investment opportunities
· Education facilities
· Carbon sinks
· Funds
· R&D
In some ways this proposal is very similar to some of the other initiatives that are already out there, but differ in two key areas. The first is that all nations and cities would have to produce and work to a carbon action plan that delivers a low carbon and green economy. The second and most important of all, would be the benefits that would accrue including access to ‘green funding’ at preferential rates (quick funds), access to IP and technology and access to broader learning and education. A particular goal of the club would be to foster partnerships across nations and cities.
Thoughts and Comments?
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