Nicholas Institute Director Launches UNEP Green Economy in a Blue World Report

“The world’s oceans and coasts – the Blue World – are the cornucopia for humanity. They provide us with food, oxygen and livelihoods … and are the foundation of much of the world’s economy and the cultures of many peoples.”

This excerpt, from the introduction of the newly released report “Green Economy in a Blue World,” was penned by Linwood Pendleton, ocean and coastal policy director at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions.

It is the latest component in the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) “Green Economy” initiative. This report highlights ways to reduce the environmental impact and improve the environmental, economic and social sustainability of traditional and emerging ocean-oriented economies.

“Green Economy in a Blue World” was just released by UNEP (see press release). Pendleton joins experts at the launch event for the report in Manila today (January 25, 2012), where he is moderating a session focused on the contribution of marine and coastal ecosystems and management to move toward lower carbon inputs, sustainable food, water security and improved water quality.  The launch event and session are both part of the Third Intergovernmental Review Meeting on the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Pollution (GPA).

The report was published by UNEP, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the World Fish Center and the GRID-Arendal and contains several other contributions by experts such as Pendleton.