Introduction: conceptualising research into the green economy

The concept of the ‘green economy’, sometimes used interchangeably with ‘green growth’, has gained significant prominence in policy and political discussions over the past decade. Governments at various levels, from global to local, have formulated policies and plans based on these ideas. International organisations like the United Nations and the Global Green Growth Institute support these initiatives. Civil society is also involved, with the Green Economy Coalition uniting charities, citizen groups, and businesses in advocating for a global green economy. The term ‘green economy’ was first introduced in the late 1980s but lost momentum in the 1990s due to the rise of ‘sustainable development’ as a concept. However, it resurged in the 2000s as dissatisfaction with sustainable development’s impact on policymaking grew. The broadness of these terms poses challenges in terms of definition and empirical scrutiny, which this book aims to address in its research overview.