Vision for RIO+20: System Change for Green Economy and Poverty Reduction

(Live Webcast)

Date: Friday, 6 May 2011
Time: 1.15-2.30pm (EST) 
Venue: UNU Video Portal
http://videoportal.unu.edu/

This seminar will show how changes in price structure and sustainable infrastructure can lead to poverty reduction in a green economy.

The speaker argues that the transition towards a low carbon green growth  can be realized without a fundamental restructuring of the price structure, by internalizing ecological prices through environmental taxes and environmental fiscal reform.  The two core features of environmental fiscal reforms, revenue neutrality and double dividend, are powerful tools for changing the price structure while stimulating economic growth.

In terms of sustainable infrastructure, the speaker makes a case for developing countries to promote sustainable infrastructure through urban planning and design, green buildings and making the switch from private transportation to public transportation modes so that they are not locked into unsustainable consumption and production patterns.

The seminar is part of the UNU Midday Forum Series, which offers an intimate and informal platform of discussion for the UN permanent missions, the UN Secretariat, UN agencies, academia, NGOs and the private sector to exchange ideas on importanttopics related to the UN.

Speaker

• Rae Kwon Chung, Director, Environment and Development Division, UNESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand

Moderator 

• Jean-Marc Coicaud, Director, United Nations University Office in New York

For more information click here.