GREEN TRANSFORMATION: Is there a fast track?

Abstract

The green transformation is the process of restructuring that brings the economy within the planetary boundaries. Earth and climate scientists tell people that the transformations required for sustainability need to be achieved quickly. There is a range of actors that can support the green transformation through their action but their motive need not be to mitigate climate change; the main motive might be to secure energy, to build competitive green industries or to foster green jobs, with climate change mitigation at best a co-benefit. Actors in these alliances might see climate change mitigation as a co-benefit but tend to have other priorities, such as securing energy, building new competitive industries, creating new jobs in their region, raising public revenue or generating private profit. While not surprising in itself, it questions the discourse which pitches economic growth against environmental sustainability, so popular in many parts of the world. Policies which foster structural transformation promote rather than hinder economic growth.