Towards a green economy in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region is widely recognised as one of the world’s most sensitive environmental, political, social, economic and cultural hotspots, yet there are many complex and interconnected issues to address. However, the emergence of the Green Economy concept, as coined at the global Rio+20 Sustainable Development summit, is a serious attempt to promote a more inclusive and environmentally-friendly economic development at both global and local level with a high potential, if applied properly, of reducing social inequalities, enhancing the quality of life and well-being of communities on both the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. In this report, we first describe the Green Economy approach and other sustainability-related concepts and frameworks. Then we identify and examine major Green Economy and Sustainable Development initiatives and actors at international and Mediterranean levels. A description of the methodology and findings of the study (overall and country specific) follows, comprising the main part of document. Complementary information on financing issues has been included before closing with a set of recommendations that if implemented can significantly boost a greener and more inclusive economy in the Mediterranean region.