UN says trade in environmentally-friendly products to almost triple, hit $2.2 trillion by 2020
by The Associated Press
Urges developing nations with abundant renewable resources to take advantage of "green trade"
GENEVA—The United Nations’ environment agency says the global market for low-carbon and environment-friendly goods and services is projected to almost triple to $2.2-trillion by 2020.
The UN Environment Program says trade in organic food and beverages is likely to reach $105-billion by 2015, up from $62.9-billion in 2011.
Seafood farmed according to certified sustainability standards is forecast to rise to $1.25-billion from $300-million in 2008.
UNEP’s 300-page report urges developing countries with abundant renewable resources to reduce poverty by taking advantage of so-called “green trade.”
Achim Steiner, UNEP’s executive director, says that also would help “reverse the global decline in biodiversity, mitigate the release of greenhouse gases, halt the degradation of lands and protect our oceans.”
