Green industries essential to foster sustainable economic growth – UN agency

Industries should take into account green measures for every aspect of what they do to be able to ensure their sustainable future, the United Nations agency entrusted with accelerating industrial development in poorer States said today.

Speaking at the Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) in Copenhagen, the Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Kandeh K. Yumkella said the only way to ensure an economically viable future is to ensure that industries do not harm the environment.

In addition, he said that UNIDO’s Green Industry concept will prove crucial as a catalyst for green growth in country’s economies. The concept asks industries – regardless of their scope or location – to continuously improve their environmental performance through measures such as phasing out toxic substances, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening occupational health and safety.

The concept also entails implementing public policy initiatives that encourage environmentally responsible private investment.

“Green Industry and the Greening of Industries, concepts coined by UNIDO in the last few years, are helping place sustainable industrial development in the context of new global sustainability challenges. Together we can make the global transition to a green growth pathway work,” he said.

Mr. Yumkella added that his agency is currently providing assistance to developing countries to facilitate their transition to greener measures: “UNIDO is helping developing countries secure resource-efficient low-carbon growth, create new green jobs while at the same time protecting the environment. We also help developing countries move to clean technologies and implement environmental agreements, including the Montreal Protocol,” he told forum participants.

The 3GF Forum, established by Denmark and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in association with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), brought together 200 global leaders from government, business, finance and civil society.

During the two-day event, which ends today, leaders discussed green issues and designed the structure for a green economy.