Redefining and measuring the global green economy : tracking green economy transformations using transactional data

• Main Author: Georgeson, Lucien Tomas
• Published: University College London (University of London) 2018
• Subjects: 550
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.763280

The green economy has emerged as an important concept for sustainable development in both developed and developing countries. It presents a seemingly attractive framework to deliver more resource efficient, lower carbon, less environmentally damaging, more inclusive societies. There are tensions between competing green economy discourses and different definitions exist, which all have shortcomings. Different underlying concepts of the 'weak', 'transformational' and 'strong' green economy also exist. This thesis identifies that several important definitions focus on the aspirational 'transformational green economy'. To track this 'transformation', economic and environmental measurement is essential. This thesis reviews various attempts to measure green economy progress, outlining their shortcomings and whether they may support effective decision-making. Data availability can influence policy goals set and the practical measures taken to achieve them. Economic measurement is a key example where current measurement is not adequate to support detailed decision-making. Measuring green economy transformations must be improved as part of broader frameworks for measuring economy-society-environment interactions. Through reviewing current policies and practices within the global green economy, this thesis provides a revised definition for measuring the green economy using transactional data. Transactional data provides economic measurement in fast-moving or emerging areas where national statistics do not always provide accurate and detailed measurement. The thesis explores whether the transactional data can help to explore how the green economy exists and changes across different scales and geographies, and of the kind of economic relationships upon which it is built. This includes exploring the global green economy, different national level trends, relationships with other datasets, green economy trade flows and the green economy in cities. Assessing this contributes to understanding the economic geography and political economy of the green economy. Understanding the effectiveness of transactional data in exploring green economy transformations also contributes to improving future measurement approaches.