Page 94 - Ebook HTKH 2024

growth is not only a global trend but also an important opportunity for ASEAN to
develop its economy while protecting the environment and minimizing negative impacts

on people's lives and health.
Green economic growth is currently an important trend, opportunity, and topic that
attracts the attention of many countries and territories around the world, including
ASEAN. The green economy provides ASEAN countries with opportunities such as
promoting balanced economic growth and protecting the environment and protecting
human health. However, countries in the region also face challenges in implementing
green economic growth, such as different levels of awareness by businesses and people,
inadequate and inconsistent policies, barriers related to capital, human resources and

technology, etc the mechanism of loose cooperation between countries. This research
will contribute to finding specific directions for ASEAN to develop sustainably,
ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental protection in the long
term.
2. Theoretical basis for the green economy
According to UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), a green economy

is defined as "an economy that improves human well-being and social justice, while
significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcity." This definition is
considered the most comprehensive and accurate definition of a green economy, widely
used by international organizations. Essentially, the green economy includes: (i) low
carbon emissions; (ii) efficient use of resources; and (iii) social justice.
In the ASEAN context, the concept of the green economy involves the use,
management, and conservation of marine and ocean resources, as well as coastal

ecosystems, to support economic growth in areas such as fishing, aquaculture, shipping,
etc renewable energy, tourism, and research and development. This is not only to
improve the welfare of the people but also to promote social justice.
The carbon intensity of economies takes into account emissions from primary
energy use, but does not include emissions generated and sequestered from Forests,
Land, and Agriculture (FLAG). Currently, the green economy is understood as a

combination of three factors: economic (poverty reduction, improving public health
care, developing clean energy, meeting employment needs and promoting growth),
environment (sustainable production and consumption, conservation of marine
resources, etc protect, restore and encourage the sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems), and social (improve the quality of education, reduce gender inequality and
reduce social inequality).
A green economy is sustainable, meaning that economic activities create value or
profits that are beneficial and contribute to the quality of life of the community, and are

environmentally friendly. Balancing these three factors ensures sustainability, helps
create jobs, ensures sustainable economic growth, and prevents environmental pollution,
global warming, resource depletion, and environmental degradation.

86