The Political Economy of Ecology: Prospects for Transforming the World Economy at Rio Plus 20

This article assesses the prospects for advancing to a green economy at Rio Plus 20 through the perspective of international political economy writings on economic transformations and regime governance. In order to achieve robust investment in revolutionary new technologies a clear international political project is required that provides a common purpose, clear regulatory and legal rules, and formal organisational efforts for resource mobilisation, compensation of losers, and enforcement. It concludes with an appraisal of efforts underway to create the political foundation for a green economy, suggesting the creation of a new international organization for green technology innovation, and assigning the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to environmental science assessment.