This paper explores the value of green growth from the perspective of sustainable development practitioners. First, it provides a brief definition of green growth, and why the concept is relevant for meeting Africa’s challenges. It then discusses how green growth can be achieved, highlighting some of the primary tools for achieving it, and then discussing focal areas that we believe will have the greatest impacts by spurring growth sustainably. Finally, it discusses how the AfDB has promoted green growth through its own initiatives. Boxes throughout the paper provide examples of the AfDB’s promotion of green growth in its project portfolio.
This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) estimates that the cost of tackling climate change in developing countries could reach some hundreds of billions of US dollars annually over the coming decades. Low-emission and climate-resilient development options often require upfront investments that can be costlier than conventional solutions. It points out that currently there is not a comprehensive global climate finance approach and it will take time before the Green Climate Fund (GCF) will be operationalised. Developing countries require support in their efforts towards climate compatible development through the use of climate finance, both public and private, that enables equitable access, national ownership, and effective management and monitoring. This can be achieved by engaging in three priority areas: international climate finance architecture; recipient readiness; and enabling environment for private sector to invest in climate compatible development.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.
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.
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: