Green paper

In the European Union, the United Kingdom, Commonwealth, Hong Kong and the United States, a green paper is a tentative government report and consultation document of policy proposals for debate and discussion, without any commitment to action—the first step in changing the law. Green papers may result in the production of a white paper. They may be considered as grey literature.

Canada

A green paper in Canada, like a white paper, is an official government document. Green papers tend to be statements not of policy already determined, but of propositions put before the whole nation for discussion. They are produced early in the policy-making process, while ministerial proposals are still being formulated. Many white papers in Canada have been, in effect, green papers, while at least one green paper - that on immigration and population in 1975 - was released for public debate after the government had already drafted legislation.

United Kingdom

Similarly, in the UK, green papers are official consultation documents produced by the government for discussion both inside and outside Parliament, for instance when a government department is considering introducing a new law.