1. Introduction

Cities around the globe are trying to figure out how to grow green – i.e., how to generate economic activity that preserves and enhances environmental quality while using natural resources more efficiently. Though the path to reducing human impact on the environment is clear, we are less sure about how to grow our economies and benefit society’s least advantaged members at the same time – in other words, how to link the three E’s (environment, economy, and equity) of development.

This short course surveys the landscape of green economy studies and their definitions of the green economy and describes the state-of-the-art in green economic development practices. The many policies and reports published thus far focus on two different forms of economic development: stimulating production (through business or workforce development) or consumption (primarily at the household level). However, few evaluate the economic development options available at the local and state scale, and even fewer discuss the potential outcomes of these policies in terms of the economy and social equity. The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive definition of the green economy and show how different definitions and policy approaches are likely to meet economic development goals.