Urbanization and the green economy: opportunities and challenges

Guiding the discussion and debate at the Cities and Green Growth – Urban Evolution Conference is SEI Executive Director Johan L. Kuylenstierna. Speakers at the conference include: H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm; Yves Leterme, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD; and Lena Ek, Swedish Minister for the Environment.

The concept of the “green economy” is often advocated as a remedy for market failures and shortcomings in the current model of development. Although there is no common definition of green economy, a recent report concludes that it is an essential component in economic policy making if we are to preserve prosperity, security and competitiveness. The exclusion of natural capital in the economic model worked for as long as the world economy was relatively small. But today, the world has come to a crossroads defined by scarcity.

“More and more economists realize that we must develop our economic models to account for ecosystem services and natural resource assets,” says Karl Hallding, a senior research fellow at SEI. “A green economy is not a matter of having ‘green’ values. It is a question of developing the economic system so that our communities are resilient to change and prepared to cope with a future that will bring great pressures and challenges.”

The conference features the launch of Green Growth in Cities, the OECD Green Cities Program report, which integrates findings from green growth case studies of cities.  Mayors and experts representing the cities studied in the report will participate in a high level debate on Cities and Green Growth, showcasing good examples and policies.

“Green growth is a key strategy for cities all over the world, and I see this conference as an excellent opportunity to also draw on SEI’s research and knowledge on green growth to help foster a dynamic discussion among the participating high-level decision makers,” says Kuylenstierna. “This is really about shaping the sustainable cities of today and tomorrow, not only within the OECD but also in developing and emerging economies.”

The conference is being held at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Center in Sweden on 23-24 May 2013.  For more information, visit the conference website at www.urbanevolution.se.