Shifting towards a greener economy provides greater opportunities for governments, investors and businesses at the same time addresses environmental sustainability and economic growth challenges.

It is our pleasure to share with you our inaugural World Green Economy Report – inspiring innovations in business, finance and policy, showcasing best practices and innovative solutions that provide a practical and flexible approach for achieving concrete, measurable progress across economic and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

The report offers clear ideas on benefits and risks of the gradual transition towards a green economy model, ensuring that natural assets can deliver their full economic potential on a sustainable basis. The report outlines real inspiring examples of how innovations in business, finance and policy can be systematically applied in the real economy.

The World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) was established as a response to the priorities and concerns identified in the field of green economy during the Rio20+ World Summit on Sustainable Development that provided a historical platform for the establishment of an international entity aimed to promote the widespread and increased adoption of green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and to serve as a platform for international cooperation and knowledgesharing between developed and developing countries.

Addressed to the global decision-makers and green economy practitioners who drive the changes at the global, national and local levels, the report highlights opportunities for flowing long-term investments in innovative businesses and infrastructure, methods of creating market op portunities for private investments and facilitating the transition of economies and societies to sustainable development and greener growth.

We believe the report will enthuse policy makers, leadership of financial institutions and businesses to consider wider range of tools and opportunities in their innovative development efforts, and will encourage them to pursue green investment and innovation, thus fostering economic growth and development while ensuring that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services on which our well-being relies.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer

WGEO Chairman