Most efforts to tackle climate change have been focused on isolated, distinct, and often competing goals and actions on mitigation (lowering emissions) or adaptation (reducing vulnerability). Incremental reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and climate vulnerabilities are important steps. However, long-term climate change management requires a shift from sectoral perspectives to a holistic approach that incorporates climate change mitigation and adaptation into environment and sustainable development goals and planning processes. Such an approach recognizes that climate change responses are closely intertwined with development choices and actions involving multiple sectors, stakeholders, and ecosystems. An integrated approach also enables countries to mobilize and employ diverse financing and policy options required for low-emission and climate-resilient development.

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) are a group of man-made chemicals that, when released into the atmosphere, can cause the depletion of the Ozone Layer. This depletion allows increased levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach the earth’s surface. In turn, increased UV radiation poses significant threats to human health by compromising immune systems and causing higher levels of skin cancer and eye cataracts. It also disturbs the ecological balance of watersheds, agricultural lands and forests.

January 2012: The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) has published an analysis of 18 submissions by governments to the Compilation Document for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). The report, titled “Green Economy: ‘Everyone’s talking about it,’” aims to enhance understanding of governments' responses to the concept of a green economy.

January 2012: The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) has published an analysis of 18 submissions by governments to the Compilation Document for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). The report, titled “Green Economy: ‘Everyone’s talking about it,’” aims to enhance understanding of governments' responses to the concept of a green economy.

Drawing on the submissions from 18 government submissions - from Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, the EU, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, the Russian Federation, South Africa,  Switzerland, and the US - the analysis attempts to assess the extent to which the concept of green economy is gaining political traction at the global and national level.