When countries work together, progress is swift. Agreements in science, diplomacy, and military have shaped our world for millennia, and in a time where climate change is becoming a more and more pressing issue, this fact does not change. Following this philosophy, the Partnership for Action on Green Economy, or PAGE, was formed. PAGE is a partnership between the ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, and UNITAR, and works to help countries wishing to “embark on greener and more inclusive growth trajectories”. Setting certain nations as examples for the world to follow, as well as providing funds to those wishing to reform to greener ways, PAGE is a partnership which has changed the playing field to be against climate change. The UNEP has identified this coalition as such, and in a recent committee session, identified some ways that PAGE could be utilized to help countries diversify their economy and move towards greener energy alternatives.
When climate change was identified as a threat, many countries started moving away from non-renewable sources of energy and towards renewable sources of energy for many reasons, including: reducing emissions, achieving resource security, boosting the economy, and gaining international status. Many nations such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have been partnering for decades, and recently began powering nearly all of their nations using only renewable energy methods. While many countries have been prospering, many developing countries are having trouble keeping up. These developing countries do not have the capital, information, or reason to start green development, as often these countries are either doing just fine with non-renewable sources of energy, or simple cannot transition without a total economic collapse. When your economy is struggling already, there isn’t much liquid asset to invest in such an expensive commodity: renewable energy. As a result, these countries do not enjoy the benefits that come with having a renewable energy program, and need help in getting their economy started towards green development. In the shadow of climate change, we need to get the entire world on board with sustainable energy practices, and leaving behind the rest of the pack is not a viable option.
Enter: UNEP and PAGE. In a recent committee session, the UNEP identified many ways for PAGE, or a similar communications platform, to connect nations and groups around the world to help countries achieve a greener economy. The methods identified were: communication of needs, sharing of research, and promotion of trade and partnerships between nations looking to change to greener economies. By communicating properly the needs of each nation, funding, research, policy, and information can be shared and divided to help each country as fully as possible. A country may need more advice on what kind of infrastructure to implement, or perhaps they need funding to do so. PAGE makes sure that these needs are met. Next, research done by nations, NGOs, and groups would be made transparent within this partnership, to assure that each country has the data they need to make the best decisions about policy and implementation. Lastly, PAGE would promote communication and trade between countries in this group, as by boosting each other’s economy, we are helping the world achieve green security.
Conservation International has had a leading role in this discussion, contributing funding, research, and policy work to countries around the world. As an NGO with the goal of conservation, CI works to see countries moving towards greener development. By providing funding through the Carbon Fund and the Debt-for-Nature swap, CI provides funds to countries looking to begin sustainable practice in their industries. In combination with PAGE, CI could contribute to a huge step forward for these countries. In addition, the research that CI does all over the world is made transparent for all to access, and invite countries to utilize their information to make smart and informed decisions. CI has been aiding this global effort for years, and with the recent implementation of PAGE and an increasingly strong global effort, countries that may never have dreamed of creating such an economy may be able to do so soon. Our world is brightening up, and no one is left in the shade.