The 1st training of the trainers capacity development workshop on Green Growth will be moved to Bangkok, Thailand in 22~27 June 2009.

The economy is geared, above all, to economic growth. Economic policy in the current recession is all about returning to growth – but an economic crisis can be an opportunity for some basic rethinking and restructuring. Two objectives other than growth – sustainability and wellbeing – have moved up the political and policy-making agenda in recent years, challenging the overriding priority traditionally given to economic growth. SDC s "Redefining Prosperity" project has looked into the connections and conflicts between sustainability, growth, and wellbeing.

The 1st training of the trainers capacity development workshop on Green Growth will be conducted in 15~20 June 2009, Beijing. The policy makers from Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia and Philippines, etc and revelant stakeholders will be invited to take part in the Beijing workshop.

The environment remains a top concern for people around the world despite the financial crisis, according to a global poll by the HSBC Climate Partnership, which includes HSBC, The Climate Group, Earthwatch Institute, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF. The new poll, released on 26 November, finds that 43 per cent see climate change as a bigger problem than the economy.

Marrakech Task Forces: Building Cooperation on Sustainable Consumption and Production in South Asia" will be held on 3 February 2009, New Delhi, India. This regional meeting will bring together all the coordinators of existing Marrakech Task Forces (link to Marrakech site) and stakeholders from and six South Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. For the Task Force topics (Sustainable Lifestyles, Education for Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Buildings and Construction, Sustainable Public Procurement, Sustainable Tourism and Sustainable Products) priorities and challenges, existing initiatives and possible projects for implementation will be jointly discussed by country representatives, experts and the Task Force coordinators.

A switch is needed from unsustainable to sustainable patterns of development. The SWITCH ASIA programme was born out of this need. The programme focuses on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and directly contributes to sustainable growth and the fight against poverty.