Green Economy for Sustainable Mountain Development

A book on “Green Economy for Sustainable Mountain Development: A Concept Paper for Rio+20 and Beyond” examines the role of mountains in a green economy and their contribution to national, regional, and global economy and environmental protection. It was released by Smt. Jayanthai Natarajan, Minister of State for Environment and Forest, (I/C) and Mr. Vilasrao Desmukh, Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences at the celebration of India-ICIMOD Day here today. This book is the outcome of the International Conference on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development Opportunities and Challenges in View of Rio+20 organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development on 5–7 September 2011, Kathmandu in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme.

It discusses emerging challenges, issues, and opportunities to promote sustainable development in the mountains. Finally, it briefly outlines relevant strategies, approaches, and options. Its purpose is to support mountain stakeholders by bringing mountain issues into the mainstream of global discussions and debate, with a view to ensuring renewed efforts and commitment by the global community at Rio+20 in 2012. This paper emphasises the changes in the conditions influencing sustainable development in mountains, which bring new challenges and opportunities and demand urgent action for the benefit not only of mountain regions but also of lowland areas. It recommendations among other things include the recognition of benefits deriving from mountains; incorporation of the value of ecosystems services in national development planning and decision making; the establishment of global, regional, national, and local mechanisms to compensate and reward mountain communities for the services they provide; the establishment of favourable conditions for improving markets for mountain ecosystem goods and services; inclusion of equity concerns in green economy in mountains; and access to resources and property rights for mountain women, indigenous communities, and marginalized groups.