Biography:

Hussein Abaza is the Founder of the Center for Sustainable Development Solutions (CSDS). He is a former Director of the Economics and Trade Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He holds a BA from the American University in Cairo, an MPhil in Urban Housing Planning from the University of Bradford, UK, and a PhD from Walsebridge University, USA. During his tenure with the UNEP (1982-2009), he was responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation of the Economics and Trade programme and led the team which conceptualized and launched the UNEP Green Economy initiative in October 2008. He founded CSDS in 2011 with the main objectives of promoting green economy and sustainable development, with particular focus on Egypt and the Middle East. The Center aims to achieve this objective through technical support, research, training programs, community-based activities, and public awareness campaigns. He currently functions as Senior Advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Environment.

Abstract:

"Transitioning to a Green Economy - A Tool to Address Climate Change"

Green economy provides a powerful tool for achieving sustainable development, which in turn contibutes towards addressing climate change concerns. Among the main guiding principles for green economy are resource efficiency; pollution reduction, prevention, and avoidance; environmental conservation; and human welfare. Greening the economy results in reduced energy consumption, use of fossil fuel, increased use of renewable energy, and consequently reduced CO2 emissions. Transition to a green economy requires political commitment, and a long-term vision on the part of the government. A package of policies and measures will need to be developed and introduced to facilitate this transition at the macro and sectoral levels. Following this path will put the economy on a sustainable path of development, which will consequently contribute to addressing climate change concerns.