green paper

Noun

green paper (plural green papers)

1. A tentative government report of a proposal without any commitment to action, being the first step in changing the law; a discussion document.
   • In the green paper, the European Commission calls for the inception of free competition in virtually all of Europe′s satellite communications markets.1990, EC exec discusses benefits of satellite push in Europe, Network World: Dec 31, 1990 - Jan 17, 1991, page 30
   • A Green Paper is a discussion document. This Green Paper on Postal Services is published as the basis for discussion of what changes need to be made to the Community′s postal sector in order to achieve the Single Market in postal services.1998, Commission of the European Communities, Green Paper on the Development of the Single Market for Postal Services, DIANE Publishing Company, page 29
2. (Canada) An official document sponsored by the Crown of propositions put before the nation for discussion.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see green, paper.