It is widely acknowledged that introducing a price on carbon represents a crucial precondition for filling the current gap in low-carbon investment. However, as this paper argues, carbon pricing in itself may not be sufficient. This is due to the existence of market failures in the process of creation and allocation of credit that may lead commercial banks – the most important source of external finance for firms willing to invest – not to respond as expected to price signals. Under certain economic conditions, banks would shy away from lending to low-carbon activities even in presence of a carbon price. This possibility calls for the implementation of additional policies not based on prices. In particular, the paper discusses the potential role of monetary policies and macroprudential financial regulation: modifying the incentives and constraints that banks face when deciding their lending strategy - through, for instance, a differentiation of reserve requirements according to the destination of lending - may fruitfully expand credit creation directed towards low-carbon sectors.
As an increasing number of countries adopt green economy strategies, there is a need to support them in measuring the magnitude of this new economy. This papers aims to guide them in this discussion. An Environmental Goods and Services Sector (EGSS) framework is a vital instrument for facilitating the greening of the economy, as it encompasses the two priority areas for green economy indicator development, namely the greening of conventional economic activities and the growing share of green or environment-related sectors.
This report examines the feasibility of China adopting new global standards for tracking the latest data and trends in its Environmental Goods and Services Sector (EGSS), as a means to inform its green development strategy and identify potential new green growth opportunities. This is the first study to explore how EGSS framework could be adopted by a country with an emerging economy.
This Global Challenges Report analyzes the patent landscapes of four Climate Change Mitigation Technologies (CCMTs) to inform policy discussions by providing empirical evidence of innovation trends and technology ownership. The four CCMTs are biofuels, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy. A broad market analysis of renewables and their policy frameworks are discussed in Section 2, followed by a scope and methodology section. The individual patent landscape analysis for each of the CCMTs is given in Sections 4 to 7, identifying and analyzing the range of patent activity, patent filings trends, top technology owners, patent concentrations, and market trends.
Each of these sections also includes anecdotal case studies to illustrate various features of the technology marketplaces and to situate the patent data into the context of market activity and business strategies. The report includes data from 1975-2011 and compares the 1975-2005 period to the 2006-2011 period.
A companion Global Challenges Brief also discusses key implications and considerations for policy and policymakers.
This report on inclusive green growth by infoDev and the World Bank reveals valuable insights from community outreach workshops conducted in South African townships for the Climate Innovation Center (CIC) in South Africa. The report does not present a one-size-fits-all solution to implement inclusive green growth strategies across all developing countries. The reports findings are observed in light of the Gauteng Climate Innovation Centre, which aims to facilitate and foster innovative clean technology entrepreneurship within the context of the surrounding township communities.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the renewable energy market, industry, investment and policy developments worldwide. It covers recent developments, current status, and key trends; by design, it does not provide analysis or forecast. Prepared by REN21, a global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder network, the report relies on up-to-date renewable energy data, provided by an international network of more than 500 contributors, researchers, and authors. This report, covering the year 2013, focuses on:
- Expansion of supporting policies in developing economies;
- Additions to electricity generating capacity;
- Progress made in renewables heating and cooling;
- Shifts in investments;
- Leaders in renewable energy deployment; and
- Evolution of the renewable energy field in the last decade.
The report is designed to provide information to governments, business, academia and the public about the impact of climate change on the Arab countries, and encourage concrete action to face the challenge. The report analyzes the Arab response to the urgent need for adaptation measures, and uses the latest research findings to describe the vulnerabilities of natural and human systems in the Arab world to climate change and the impacts on different sectors. In an attempt to help shape adequate policies, the report discusses options for a post-Kyoto regime and outlines the state of international negotiations in this regard.
This report is designed to contribute to the discourse on the sustainable management of water resources in the Arab world and provides critical understanding of water in the region without being overly technical or academic in the nature. The unifying theme is presenting reforms in policies and management to develop a sustainable water sector in Arab countries. Case studies, with stories of successes and failures, are highlighted to disseminate learning. The report contributes to the ongoing dialogue on the future of water and catalyses institutional reforms leading to determined action for sustainable water policies in Arab countries.
The environmental and health sciences have brought important insights into the connection of environmental pressures and ecosystem damages. Well-known assessments show that habitat change, the overexploitation of renewable resources, climate change, and particulate matter emissions are amongst the most important environmental problems. Biodiversity losses and ill health have been estimated and evaluated.
This report focuses not on the effects of environmental pressure, but on its causes. It describes pressures as resulting from economic activities. These activities are pursued for a purpose, to satisfy consumption. Environmental pressures are commonly tied to the extraction and transformation of materials and energy. This report investigates the production-materials-consumption nexus.