The transition from a linear to a green and circular economy requires a long-term strategy

End of April, the highest court in Germany issued a landmark ruling that Germany’s climate change legislation is insufficient and violates the freedoms of the youth. The ages of the young climate activists who brought the case to court range from 15 to 24. Currently, Germany aims for a 55% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 due to their commitment to the Paris Agreement and becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

The court established that significant action would be required after 2030 to reach climate change goals, which affects the freedoms of younger generations. The court ruled that almost every freedom of current younger and future generations will be affected by emission reduction obligations beyond 2030, largely due to the inaction of the current generation in decision-making positions that failed to lay out a long-term strategy. Therefore, the current legislation will have to be improved by including targets and concrete measures from 2030 to 2050, allowing for long-term planning of all stakeholders affected and involved.

This is great news and inspiration for everyone interested in tackling climate change and environmental degradation and making a greener and more sustainable economy a reality.

The Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project is a four-year action from the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). The project aims at creating greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women and returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable, green businesses in two selected regions in Ghana: Ashanti and Western.

Ghana’s National Green Jobs Strategy is an ambitious framework that provides an overview of the holistic approach needed to achieve a just transition to environmentally sustainable growth by promoting green jobs.

Working towards climate protection and environmentally sustainable growth is not an idealistic goal but means protecting and upholding the rights and freedoms of younger and future generations. Long-term strategies and commitments are needed, with clear targets and measures, to be implemented by various stakeholders.

The GrEEn project brings together actors from the public and private sectors, civil society and academia, to identify challenges and opportunities in three selected sectors: agriculture, renewable energy and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). These public-private dialogue sessions, networking events and fora are aimed at developing a joint understanding and should contribute to developing Ghana’s vision for an environmentally sustainable economy that provides decent jobs for current and future generations. Creating an enabling environment for green jobs and businesses to emerge and grow at the local level contributes to building resilient, sustainable and inclusive societies for all, current and future generations.

Written by: Beatrice Tschinkel, Project Manager, GrEEn Project.

This blog and its content do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.