The Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) is a global network of researchers and development experts that identifies and addresses major knowledge gaps in green growth theory and practice. Through widespread consultation and world-class research, GGKP provides practitioners and policymakers with better tools to foster economic growth and implement sustainable development.
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1-3 October 2013 Manila, Philippines Regional Exchange and Practitioners Workshop: Towards an Inclusive Green Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean Uruguayan government, BMU, UNEP, GIZ, ECLAC, IDB, ILO 17-18 October 2013 Montevideo, Uruguay 21-22 October 2013
Copenhagen, Denmark
OECD 5-6 December 2013 Paris, France
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A new study from the World Bank shows how climate action is an essential pillar of an effective development strategy. "Growing Green: the Economic Benefits of Climate Action" outlines policies and recommendations to help guide countries in the Europe and Central Asia region toward a greener economic growth model emphasizing climate change mitigation. The report covers priorities for low-carbon development, options for promoting growth and ensuring social inclusion, and sectoral policies. In particular, the report identifies energy efficiency, cleaner energy, and natural resource management as the main components of a growth-friendly climate action strategy.
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The OECD has produced a case-study on inclusive green growth in Ethiopia, one of Africa's first countries to develop such a strategy, showcasing the progress and prospects of green growth. The paper provides background on the Ethiopian inclusive green growth perspective, opportunities and challenges that shape the green economy in the country, examples of local initiatives, as well as reflections on Ethiopia's progress to date and approaches for moving forward.
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"Green Economy Scoping Study: South Africa Green Economy Modelling Report", a new report from UNEP, assesses potential opportunities and options to promote a green economy, with a focus on key economic sectors set out by South Africa's National Development Plan. The report compares a scenario of "business-as-usual" investment with scenarios of investments allocated to four critical green economy sectors in South Africa, namely: natural resource management, agriculture, transport and energy.
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GIZ has published a report on investment in renewable energy in low-income countries. "Mobilising Investment for Inclusive Green Growth in Low-Income Countries" explores how private investment can be attracted into the energy sectors of low-income countries both in terms of increasing generation from renewable sources, and improving the efficiency with which energy is used. The report outlines special investment needs and instruments, investment prioritization, obstacles as well as practical examples.
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Through a new book, the Growth Dialogue examines how five cities, Curitiba, Helsinki, Penang, Ulsan and Yokohama, have managed to achieve both economic growth and sustainability. The book, "Five Cities Going Green", explores what can be achieved in the greening of cities within current technological and urban parameters and what new strategies will be needed. The book finds that there exist a range of interventions within traditional city management that can both add economic value and make a difference in conserving energy and reducing emissions.
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The first ever national level economic assessment of environmental degradation in India has been carried out by the World Bank. The report, "Diagnostic Assessment of Select Environmental Challenges in India", analyses the physical and monetary losses of environmental health and natural resources; the tradeoffs between economic growth and environmental sustainability; and provides a valuation for biodiversity and ecosystem services in India.
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The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development has produced a new paper exploring the benefits and limitations of a decision by APEC countries to reduce tariffs to 5% or less on a list of 54 environmental goods. The paper concludes that only a relatively small number of environmental products on the APEC list will benefit from tariff reduction, certain countries will be affected more than others, and that further works needs to be carried out on tariff classification, subsidies and non-tariff barriers. Overall, the APEC tariff-reduction pledge is found to be politically significant as an effort to reduce tariffs on a multilaterally agreed list of environmental goods.
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A new publication by CDKN discusses the Green Climate Fund and the need for developing an international climate finance system that supports adaptation and mitigation opportunities at city and subnational level. Through the report, a number of climate finance experts, Green Climate Fund Board Members and other people actively involved in climate change adaptation share their views on how they think the Green Climate Fund should deal with direct access and the devolution of funds to the local level.
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"Balancing Act: Cutting Energy Subsidies While Protecting Affordability", a report by the World Bank, analyzes the energy efficiency policies of seven countries that were successful in achieving low energy intensities or in reducing their energy intensity considerably. The report proposes that with well-designed energy tariffs and social protection policies, the fiscal and environmental benefits of eliminating energy subsidies do not have to come at the expense of increased poverty and hardship. In particular, the report provides the "how-to" of energy efficiency policies, including: getting the prices right; coordinating policies, learning, and adjusting; and quick wins in manufacturing.
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New research from Sustainable Prosperity shows that British Columbia's carbon tax shift, passed in 2008, has been effective in reducing fuel use, with no apparent adverse impact on the province's economy. The report notes that since the carbon tax took effect (July 1, 2008), BC's fuel consumption (across all fuel types) has fallen by 18.8% relative to the rest of Canada, with provincial GDP keeping pace with the rest of the country. Furthermore, the tax shift has been credited with enabling BC to have Canada's lowest income tax rates.
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The National Academies has conducted a review of the United State's Internal Revenue Code to identify which provisions have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects. The report, "Effect of US Tax Policy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions" finds that the tax system affects emissions primarily through changes in the prices of inputs and outputs of goods and services. Most of the tax provisions considered in the report relate directly to the production or consumption of different energy sources. The report examines both tax expenditures and excise taxes that could have a significant impact on GHG emissions.
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