ABSTRACT
The green economy has been increasingly recognized in the international discourse as a global approach and an alternative development paradigm in mitigating atmospheric carbon content, reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable development (UNEP et al., 2011). Although there is no inter nationally agreed definition of the green economy, one of the most widely cited definitions is provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, 2011, p. 2) which describes the green economy as ‘one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environ - mental risks and ecological scarcities. It is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive’. With its focus on poverty reduction, social inclusiveness, environmental conservation and carbon emission reduction, the green economy is now regarded as providing a pathway towards achieving sustainable development (UNEP, 2011).
