Green economy is still a contested concept. At its worst, it simply provides cover for business-as-usual — the escalation of unsustainable corporate practices that threaten the integrity of the natural world and undermine the resource base for future prosperity. At its best, green economy offers a positive blueprint for a new economics — one firmly anchored in principles of ecological constraint, social justice, and lasting prosperity. A premise of this report is that such a blueprint is worth articulating.

For the most part, explorations of the green economy have until now mostly taken place at a national or international level. This report addresses the implications of the green economy at the local level. It analyses both the conceptual foundations for more sustainable community-based economic activities and the empirical evidence for successful implementation of these ideas.

Authors: Tim Jackson, Peter A. Victor