Land Tenure and Green Growth

Date: March 7, 2017
Location: College Park, MD

Green growth is the process of fostering economic growth and development while still maintaining our natural resources. Green growth entails investment and innovation, by way of technology, giving rise to new economic opportunities. The environment must be sustained in the process of green growth.

Rodney Schmidt, Ph.D. discussed the history and concept of green growth while examining green growth policy as it relates to forestry and land tenure. (Click here for the full presentation)

During his talk, Dr. Schmidt discussed “green economies,” which focus on the economy while addressing environmental constraints on growth since the environment is a factor of production. Green growth treats natural resources as a capital asset and green economies call for low carbon production technologies, which reduces the use of nonrenewable resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental damage.

Dr. Schmidt closed by sharing that the benefits of forest communities in green economies are social inclusion, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. To learn more about green growth and green economies, visit http://rightsandresources.org/en/#.WL8h7m_ythF.

Dr. Schmidt is an economist and program director experienced in public policy analysis for international development and finance, economic growth and sustainable business, deforestation and climate change, and community land tenure rights. As director of the Rights and Resources Initiative, he leads teams of analysts in assessing evidence and creating tools and platforms for respecting the local tenure rights of indigenous peoples and communities. Schmidt provides policy advice to governments, international organizations, and civil societies; and technical assistance and capacity-building to research networks and policy communities in developing countries.