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Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)

This working paper explores some of the drivers and challenges affecting countries’ climate compatible development (CCD) policy processes and their incentives for engaging on this agenda. The paper argues that there is not a straightforward relationship between CCD policies and outcomes such as growth, poverty and equity. There will be winners and losers, and trade-offs among social, economic and environmental goals and between long-term and short-term benefits. This makes the political and institutional dimensions of CCD particularly challenging. According to the paper, understanding and managing the political economy of CCD is essential to promoting and strengthening climate compatible development outcomes and overcoming barriers to implementation. In addition to outlining some of the key drivers and challenges of CCD strategies, the paper provides possible solutions to overcoming the identified barriers. 

This summary was prepared  by Eldis.

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
Ecofys
Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
University of Sussex

This analytical report and an associated web-based user guide has been prepared in response to the request to help guide decision makers in developing countries to select appropriate tools and methodologies to support climate compatible development. The report, commissioned by the Climate Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and carried out by Ecofys and IDS, takes a largely user oriented approach, taking account of user experiences and needs. In the in-depth analysis, a total of 30 tools within seven categories were analysed. The analysis produced several headline findings:

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
Ecofys
Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
University of Sussex

Appendices to - Guiding climate compatible development: User-orientated analysis of planning tools and methodologies

Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
The paper presents a review of low carbon growth policies in two high-income (UK and Germany), five middle-income (China, India, Mexico, Guyana and Nigeria) and two low-income countries (Bangladesh and Ethiopia).
International Labour Organization (ILO)

Written by the research team of at the Institute for Labor Studies, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, China, this study presents both the current situation and potential for green employment in China, as well as results of surveys conducted in eight companies in the power industry. In China, green employment can be defined as work in industries, sectors, enterprises, and positions which have low input, high output, low consumption, low emissions, recyclability and sustainability. The purpose of the study is to make policy recommendations for China’s transition toward green employment.
 

University of Oxford

This Baseline Report is the first step in the process of developing a National Strategy on Climate Change and Low Carbon Development for Rwanda. It provides a snapshot of the country today and the planned initiatives that will take it forward, placing it within the context of climate change. Though many opportunities are highlighted, the aim of the report is to provide the foundation for the next step where detailed analysis will take place and recommendations will be made. It includes an analysis of the following sectors: climate policy; economy, trade and industry; energy; mining; transport; cities and the built environment; agriculture; land; water and forestry.

This summary was prepared  by Eldis.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Every day, unsustainable patterns of consumption, unsustainable production methods and population growth challenge the resilience of the planet to support human activities. At the same time, inequalities between and within societies remain high leaving billions with unmet basic human needs and a disproportionate vulnerability to global environmental change. To counteract this trend, UNEP and SETAC have worked together to develop the current work Towards a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment. This has been achieved through the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative.

A key objective of the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative is to help extend life cycle assessment (LCA) methods and practices. One major achievement has been the development of methods and techniques that can measure sustainability and allow LCA to support decision-making toward more sustainable product and process systems. In this way, life cycle techniques can be used to carry out life cycle sustainability assessments. This guidance document provides a starting point for learning about the methodologies and techniques suitable for life-cycle-based ways of measuring sustainability.

United Nations Environment Management Group (EMG)

This report was prepared by the UN EMG's Issue Management Group on Green Economy to assess how the United Nations system could coherently support countries in transitioning to a green economy. The report aimes to facilitate a common understanding of the green economy approach and the measures required for the transition. This report was written in the run-up to the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), where one of the themes was "green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication".

International Organisation of Employers (IOE)

This report is the first comprehensive study on the emergence of a “green economy” and its impact on the world of work. It includes data that shows a changing pattern of employment in which green jobs are being generated in many sectors and economies around the world as a result of measures to tackle climate change and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. This has also led to changing patterns of investment flows into areas such as renewable energy and energy efficiency at the household and industrial level. Within current policy frameworks, only a fraction of the potential benefits for jobs and development is forthcoming.

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)

This report highlights key trends in a growing body of research on the links between climate change and development. The purpose of the review is to pull out the main findings from this body of research to inform policymakers and practitioners who are working towards climate compatible development. It draws on a meta-synthesis of hundreds of policy-relevant research papers published between January 2010 and August 2011, and a closer review of almost 100 of those papers. All the papers chosen for inclusion in the review spoke to two key questions: how does climate change affect development and how can development contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation? The review focuses on four themes: decision-making in the face of uncertainty; natural resource management in a changing climate; innovative finance for climate action; and technology transfer and division of effort for the low carbon transition.

This summary was prepared  by Eldis.