Financial Mechanism and Resources

Green markets

Status and trends
Market for green products refers to the trade mechanism for products certified using criteria that support the three objectives of the Convention. Such products are either natural products including wild plant and animal products used as food sources or used for biochemicals, new pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, bioremediation, biomonitoring, and ecological restoration, or nature-based products involving many industries, such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, biotechnology based on genetic resources, recreation and ecotourism. Nearly 50 countries reported national measures to promote certification and organic products, and nearly forty certification schemes and standards are available internationally for agriculture, finance, fisheries, forestry, mining, tourism, carbon and biotrade. Some countries committed themselves to create specific products brands, and part of the revenues from the sale of these products are reallocated to finance programmes to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services. American Express, Apple, Beats by Dr. Dre, Belvedere Vodka, Bugaboo, Converse, Dell, Gap, Nike, Penfolds, and Starbucks contributed 161 million USD to the Global Fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria since 2006.
The market for green products is driven by green producers, and can be scaled up by green purchasers. Many governments, influenced by the directives and Action Plan for Green Public Procurement in the EU, have established green procurement policies that stimulate markets that might otherwise be slow to develop. Standards and criteria can well inform green private procurements. In 2009, goods and services expense of governments were US$2,221 billion - 12 per cent of their total expenses, and 3.8 per cent of global gross domestic products. Any percentage of this amount means a significant market for green products.