RELATED INFORMATION
- Message from the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova (.pdf)
- Message from UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon (.pdf)
Celebration in the United Nations
Background
Green Economy: does it include you?
There is a clear link between poverty
eradication, sustainable development, and better protection and
restoration of the environment. Healthy ecosystems generate social,
economic and environmental benefits; they are also an essential part of
mitigating risks from natural disasters and global change.
Green economies are an important means to achieve
what sustainable development ultimately aims at: the wellbeing of people
while respecting the environment. Green economies alone are not enough.
The complex, multifaceted challenges and risks
We want a future where we can live in a healthy setting, with strong
bonds to nature and a rich diversity of social relations. For this, we
need a flourishing environment. We need to create green economies. 
Irina Bokova,
UNESCO Director-General, in her message on the occasion of World Environment Day 2012
UNESCO Director-General, in her message on the occasion of World Environment Day 2012
ahead call for a response which addresses the
social, economic and environmental issues facing the world today in an
integrated and comprehensive manner.
It calls for building green societies: fair,
equitable and inclusive societies that foster innovative and creative
solutions to today’s global challenges. This is UNESCO’s roadmap towards
a sustainable world, as the international community prepares for a
unique chance to advance the sustainable development agenda during the
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).
Building green societies
In order to identify emerging and fast-evolving
environmental challenges, green societies need to have the capacity to
imagine innovative solutions; the full potential of science needs to be
harnessed through the natural and social sciences, technology and
innovation capacity development, including at universities and research
centres. Scientific evidence and ethical principles should inform
behaviours, policy action and governance decisions to strengthen
sustainable development agendas.
In science, technology, innovation and engineering,
UNESCO is encouraging green solutions to the challenges of today and
tomorrow. The Organization is leading the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)
to provide everyone with the tools and skills to make a difference. We
are working to strengthen the interface between science and policy, and
actively backing the recently established Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES).
UNESCO designated sites are ideal places for engaging in innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development. Biosphere Reserves
seek to reconcile conservation of biological and cultural diversity,
and economic and social development, through partnerships between people
and nature. They contribute to the transition to green societies by
experimenting with green development options, such as sustainable
tourism and training for eco-jobs. -
Key document
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Building equitable, inclusive, green societies
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