The study analyses central contributions to the debate on the concept of a Green Economy in the run-up to the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. It does so by identifying the pillars on which the various understandings of a green economy are based as well as analysing policy concepts published and statements made. It concludes that currently there are three distinguishable discourses on the green economy and that the political challenge for the Rio+20 conference will lie in building bridges between these different understanding to build a consensus. A central role for the EESC is seen in supporting the EU’s role as a role model and helping to build the bridges and adapt the concept in other countries.
