The Global Green Growth Institute is the amalgamation of parallel ideas of those in the public and private sectors committed to helping developing countries establish low-carbon, sustainable economic growth and social development (“green growth”) plans.
On August 15, 2008, President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea proclaimed “Low Carbon, Green Growth” as Korea’s new vision not only for his country, but for the world. This vision aimed to shift the current development paradigm of quantity-oriented, fossil-fuel dependent growth to quality-oriented growth with an emphasis on the use of new and renewable energy resources.
Meanwhile, a partnership entitled “Project Catalyst” joined the forces of private foundations , universities, think tanks, NGOs, senior leaders in the public and private realm to develop world-class tools, analytical approaches, and datasets that allows the rapid and rigorous development of green growth plans in developing countries and regions. These tools and approaches have been developed and tested in countries such as Ethiopia, China, India, Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia at both the national and local level.
Programs
GGGI has three main activities:
- Country Green Growth Planning & Implementation– GGGI’s country work provides expert technical assistance and capacity building to developing countries and emerging economies with the aim to develop rigorous green growth economic development strategies. It consists of green growth plan (GGP) analysis and design, domestic capacity building, and public-private partnership to support plan implementation. GGGI operates a tailored but consistent program for each country. During 2010, GGGI launched work in its first three countries: Brazil, Ethiopia and Indonesia. In 2011 green growth planning commenced in Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, and Cambodia. In 2012, GGGI began scoping and/or setup in the Amazon Basin, China, India, Jordan, Mongolia, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Thailand, and Vietnam. read more >
- Research–GGGI’s Research program is essentially designed to support the delivery of the green growth planning and implementation in developing countries through conducting economic research into various aspects of green growth theory and practice. The Institute’s research portfolio is under active development internally and in cooperation with other organizations, including the Brookings Institution, London School of Economics, OECD, World Bank, and UNEP. read more >
- Public-Private Cooperation– GGGI works to accelerate the transition of developing countries’ economy e towards green growth by facilitating industry-government cooperation to scale resource-efficient investment, innovation and management best practice within the private sector. GGGI fosters public-private cooperation at two levels: (1) Links companies to developing country governments to help implement green growth plans; and, (2) Builds cooperation within and between industries, and links to relevant intergovernmental processes. read more >
History
October 2012
GGGI officially converts into an official International Organization and held inaugural meetings of the organization’s Assembly and Council.October 2012
The second annual Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) is held in Copenhagen where GGGI launches new public-private cooperation projects.October 2012
GGGI co-launches the Green Growth Best Practice initiative with Germany’s Federal Environment Ministry (BMU), the Climate and Knowledge Development Network (CDKN) and the European Climate Foundation (ECF).June 2012
GGGI holds International Organization conversion signing ceremony with 16 signatories at the UNFCCC in Rio de Janeiro.June 2012
Former Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen succeeds Dr. Han Seung-soo as GGGI Board Chair.May 2012
GGGI hosts the second Global Green Growth Summit in Seoul.January 2012
Green Growth Knowledge Platform is co-launched by GGGI, OECD, UNEP and the World Bank.Also in 2011
GGGI begins Green Growth Planning in Cambodia, Kazakhstan, and United Arab Emirates.November 2011
The government of Ethiopia launches its Climate Resilient Green Economy strategy, the country’s central effort at green growth planning and for which GGGI provided support in its design and implementation.October 2011
The first annual Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) is held in Copenhagen with GGGI serving as a co-organizer and strategic advisor. 3GF intends to become the world premier platform for public-private cooperation in the field of green growth.July 2011
GGGI opens office in Abu Dhabi designed to coordinate the Institute’s efforts in the Middle East and North Africa.June 2011
GGGI organizes the first annual Global Green Growth Summit, featuring leading international experts on the environment, economic development, science, and technology in an effort further define and refine the concept of green growth and green growth policies and planning.May 2011
GGGI announces opening of first regional office in Copenhagen and signed agreements with the Danish government's Global Green Growth Forum, and with GGGI's first private sector partner, Danfoss Group.March 2011
Richard Samans is appointed GGGI’s first permanent Executive Director.March 2011
United Arab Emirates (UAE) signs MOU to provide financial support to GGGI, which will establish a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regional office in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City.Also in 2010
GGGI assumes the leadership role on green growth planning programs in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.June 2010
At the initiative of President Lee Myung-bak and the Korean government, GGGI is launched publicly and established as a nonprofit foundation under Article 32 of Korea's Civil Code.
Precursors
15 August 2008 – In a major speech commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Republic of Korea, President Lee Myung-bak proclaimed “Low Carbon, Green Growth” as Korea’s new vision not only for his country, but for the world.