China’s drive to develop a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy is a top priority of the government, placing pressure on the industrial development zones (IDZs) to respond to a growing and diverse set of policy levers. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), with the support of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), is working with Chinese industrial and economics zones to identify key policy trends that will affect competitiveness and to provide insight to help better manage the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy. This synthesis report provides an overview of the two phases of the project, which a specific focus on the low-carbon drivers of IDZs, an overview of the research results, policy trends and drivers of low-carbon development in IDZs and Priority areas for action.
This paper presents novel empirical evidence on the internationalization of green R&D by multinational firms (MNCs), as measured by patents data. Using data on inventors’ addresses for the set of 1200 MNCs firms patenting in green technologies over the 2004–2009 period, it was found that about 17% of green patents result from MNCs R&D investments conducted outside their home countries. MNCs tend to locate their foreign green R&D activities in other OECD markets and in China, in particular in lightings and solar technologies. The empirical analysis reveals that the probability of conducting green R&D abroad increases with the host country’s stringency of environmental regulation, market size and (green) R&D intensity. Also, relatively lower wages for scientists and engineers, and stronger protection for intellectual property rights in the host country increase the likelihood for MNCs to offshore green R&D. The paper concludes by discussing the policy implications of this changing global innovation landscape.
The objective of this study is to analyze the main arguments in favor of a transition towards a green economy in Brazil, emphasizing the potential benefits at the three required levels: economic, social and environmental. The main point is to present the green economy as a possible path for economic development where social inclusion and environmental conservation act as engines (rather than obstacles) for higher levels of activity and welfare. This paper is divided in five sections. The first section introduces main aspects of the study. Second, the review of the literature is carried out and the indicators on the Brazilian experience are selected. Third section is dedicated to the elaboration of an input-output model estimating the employment and wages effects of the expansion of selected sectors. Fourth section analyses selected sections in terms of green growth while the fifth last section poses some final remarks.
This research focuses on identifying the main policy strategies that could potentially contribute to the advance of three Latin American economies, namely Brazil, Chile and Mexico towards a green growth model that is social and inclusive, given the actual patterns of development of those economies. With this aim, firstly the past and current policies in each country in terms of economic, social and environmental indicators is identified and described. A detailed analysis follows for Brazil, Chile and Mexico, in which the authors propose a series of green growth indicators and choose a definition and classification of green growth sectors. There is also the estimation of an empirical model to explain the determinants of green house gas emissions and deforestation in Latin American countries. This paper broadly identifies the sectors that contribute to its increase and describe the main green policies applied in each country. In turn there is identification of the sectors with higher potential for the future. Finally, policy recommendations and reflections for the future is presented.
This report provides a detailed diagnosis of the youth labour market in Tunisia, including a focus on vocational education and training and entrepreneurship, and within the context of Tunisia's transition to a green economy. The report takes an international comparative perspective, offering policy options to help improve school-to-work transitions. It also provides an opportunity for other countries to learn from the innovative measures that Tunisia has taken to strengthen the skills of youth and their employment outcomes.
Current climate variability and extreme events have already lead to major impacts in Rwanda. These include floods and landslides, but also the effects of rainfall variability on agriculture, e.g. soil erosion and droughts. Future climate change has the potential to exacerbate these impacts and to introduce new risks. These impacts have been recognised and are being integrated into national policy. In 2011, Rwanda launched a National Strategy for Climate Change and Low Carbon Development, and the country now has an operational climate and environment fund (FONERWA, named after its French acronym). It is also mainstreaming climate change into national and sector development plans. The focus of early adaptation in these policies has been on addressing current climate variability and the existing adaptation deficit. However, there is an increasing interest in future climate challenges over the medium to long term. This will require improved information and its effective use in decision-making, and this aligns with the objectives of FCFA. Against this background, the FCFA pilot study investigated the current and potential future use of climate information for adaptation in Rwanda.