Noting that green economy and sustainable development in cities should be considered by city managers, Dr. Pourzarandi, the president of Iran Urban Economics Scientific Association (IUESA) said although environmental and social aspects of sustainable development are generally considered, urban economy has a particular share in this regard.
Saying that as it has been forecasted, global demand for energy would be increased 45 percent and the world oil prices would rise to near $ 180 per barrel, he added greenhouse gas emissions would be increased 45 percent more that is five times more than absorbing them by the earth.
Emphasizing that more than half of the world population live in cities, the president of IUESA said economic activities of cities are 55 percent of GDP in less-developed countries and 73 percent in developing ones and 85 percent in developed ones.
Stating that economic growth can solve the world problems, particularly in developing countries, he further said it should be regarded that if the growth is not accompanied by environmental considerations, not only it will not lead to sustainable progress, but also it will face societies with more complicated problems.
Noting that relying on green economy is one of the solutions to achieve sustainable development, he said it was proposed by the UN for the first time in economic crisis conditions in order to help governments and other decision-makers to formulate new policies toward sectors supporting the environment.
Highlighting that green economy is a unique way for global development as international authorizes say; he added they suggest allotting 1 percent of the world GDP to invest in green economy.
According to the UN environmental plan, green economy is defined as an economy that leads to improve human health, increase social justice, and reduce environmental hazards and ecological bottlenecks, he said.
Green economy is a prerequisite to achieve sustainable development since it includes three main progress factors i.e. economic, social, and environmental development, Dr. Pourzarandi said.
Accentuating that the most important challenge in moving toward green economy is to create balance and cooperation such as economic growth, creating employment, and environmental integrity among the poor and rich, and current and future generations, he further said regarding environmental necessities in sustainable economic activities, green economy deals with creating balance among economic growth requirements and necessity to protect natural resources to develop for future generations.
HA/PR
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