Search Climate Insights Directory

The document argues that climate compatible development is won or lost at the subnational level, where local actors face intense pressure from climate extremes but possess unique advantages in local knowledge and cross-sectoral coordination. It identifies key barriers, such as scientific uncertainty at local scales and a gap between public expectations and available resources. To overcome these, the paper recommends strategies including the cultivation of local political 'champions', the creation of 'knowledge partnerships' to translate climate science for communities, and the use of participatory planning to mobilise in-kind resources. It emphasizes that for these local successes to contribute to global transformational change, they must be 'scaled out' to other localities and 'scaled up' into national policy frameworks.

The transport sector in Kenya, which accounts for approximately 10 per cent of GDP, is highly vulnerable to climate impacts such as flooding and sea level rise, while simultaneously contributing 10 per cent of national greenhouse gas emissions as of 2010. The document outlines specific physical risks to infrastructure, such as the warping of rail tracks from higher temperatures and damage to ports from storms, noting that the 1997-98 El Niño floods caused transport infrastructure damage of Ksh 62 billion. To mitigate emissions, which are projected to reach 19 per cent of total national emissions by 2030, the briefing recommends the 'avoid-shift-improve' approach, increasing fuel efficiency in vehicle fleets, and shifting freight from road to rail. It also highlights the potential and controversies surrounding biofuels in Kenya, specifically the 'food versus fuel' debate.

The report analyzes 33 barriers across various sectors in Kenya that hinder private sector action on climate change, as identified in the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2013-2017. Key systemic issues include limited access to affordable long-term finance, high upfront costs for low-carbon technologies, and a lack of information on building business resilience. The document prioritizes six key areas for the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Climate Business Information Network (CBIN) to address through government engagement: establishing a National Climate Fund, providing financial incentives for renewable energy, restructuring the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) policy, streamlining renewable energy approvals, improving energy efficiency standards, and coordinating climate-friendly agricultural programs.

The guide argues that effective mainstreaming of disaster risk management (DRM) requires a supportive policy environment, strong leadership, risk knowledge, consistent financing, and innovation. It identifies key barriers, such as the compartmentalisation of DRM, climate change, and development into separate policy streams, and the lack of technical capacity for risk assessment. The document proposes solutions including strategic inter-ministerial coordination, the use of 'data-light' risk assessment methods, and the creation of political incentives by demonstrating the economic returns of risk-informed investments. It emphasizes that mainstreaming is a political process requiring inclusive partnerships and the navigation of vested interests to protect development gains from climate-related disasters.

The guide argues that effective mainstreaming of disaster risk management (DRM) requires a supportive policy environment, strong leadership, accurate risk knowledge, consistent financing, and innovation. It highlights that DRM is often compartmentalised from climate change and sectoral development, leading to 'risk-blind' decisions. The document proposes overcoming these barriers through strategic inter-ministerial coordination, the use of cost-benefit analyses to prove the economic value of risk-informed planning, and the engagement of the private sector. It emphasizes that mainstreaming is a political process that requires inclusive, multi-stakeholder platforms and visionary leadership to navigate vested interests and institutional inertia.

The document argues that climate change and development are inextricably linked, as climate impacts threaten to undermine poverty eradication and sustainable development goals. It suggests that the post-2015 framework should be 'climate-smart,' incorporating targets that simultaneously address poverty, low-carbon development, and resilience. The briefing explores two primary integration options: mainstreaming climate-related targets across various goal areas or establishing a stand-alone climate change goal. It highlights that people living in poverty are disproportionately affected by climate change, particularly through impacts on agriculture, water security, health, and infrastructure. The document concludes that the success of the post-2015 agenda depends on its ability to foster policy coherence and encourage private sector and sub-national engagement.

The report argues that climate policy is often contested because it creates winners and losers, necessitating a strategic communication and policy plan. The proposed five-point plan includes: simplifying the narrative through relatable examples and imagery; creating a positive message focused on the transformational benefits of a low-carbon transition; designing policy packages that compensate 'losers' (such as through payments for ecosystem services); building broad, long-term political consensus to avoid policy reversals; and maintaining a relentless focus on implementation. The author emphasizes 'climate compatible development,' where mitigation, adaptation, and development goals are integrated to ensure climate action does not hinder poverty eradication.

The author argues that climate policy is inherently contested because it creates winners and losers, necessitating a strategic approach to communication and implementation. The proposed plan includes simplifying the climate narrative through personal and emotional storytelling, framing action as a transformational economic opportunity (green growth), designing policy packages that compensate those negatively impacted, building cross-party long-term consensus to avoid policy reversals, and focusing on rigorous implementation. The text highlights various international examples, such as Rwanda's green growth strategy and Bolivia's payments for ecosystem services, to illustrate how climate action can be integrated with development goals.

The briefing argues that while the Green Climate Fund's initial readiness program may be narrowly focused on facilitating access to the Fund, it must eventually address broader enabling conditions—such as policy development and capacity building—to achieve transformational climate-resilient development. It further suggests that the GCF should remain flexible regarding the institutions used to channel readiness funds before the formal accreditation process is complete.

The document details a stakeholder consultation held on December 3, 2013, focusing on Manitoba's transition to a green economy through its bioeconomy. It identifies the province's abundance of biomass—including agricultural residue, forestry residue, cattails, and prairie grass—as a key advantage. However, the report notes significant barriers such as competition from low-priced fossil fuels, high transportation costs (representing 35 to 50 per cent of biofuel production costs), and a lack of skilled labour. Proposed solutions include regulatory streamlining, the creation of a green fund, carbon and phosphorus pricing, and the establishment of energy procurement targets for the Government of Manitoba.

The document outlines that Africa is experiencing significant warming and increased extreme weather, which threatens food security, health, and economic growth. It argues that while Africa has contributed little to historic emissions, it is highly vulnerable and must integrate adaptation and mitigation into long-term development planning. Key opportunities for the region include adopting decentralized renewable energy, implementing conservation agriculture, and planning low-carbon urban growth to avoid fossil fuel lock-in.

The document outlines the observed and projected climate impacts in South Asia, emphasizing the region's vulnerability to flooding, heat-related mortality, and food insecurity. It argues that while further warming is inevitable, integrated adaptation and low-carbon development can reduce risks and provide economic opportunities, provided there is strong international cooperation and financial support.

The document translates the global findings of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report into a regional context for South Asia, detailing observed warming, projected risks to food and water security, and the potential for low-carbon development. It emphasizes that while further warming is inevitable, integrated adaptation and mitigation can protect development gains and offer economic opportunities.

The document outlines the observed and projected climate impacts in Africa, emphasizing that warming is already occurring and will likely accelerate. It argues that while global mitigation is essential to avoid catastrophic outcomes, immediate investment in adaptation is critical to protect food security, health, and economic growth. The report highlights opportunities for Africa to adopt low-carbon development pathways and calls for international cooperation and financial support to build resilience.

The research examines the Kenyan solar PV market, challenging the narrative that its growth was purely private-sector led. It argues that donor support was critical in building innovation systems by funding experimentation, network-building, and technical training. The study highlights the transition from Solar Home Systems (SHS) to pico-solar products, the role of 'innovation system builders' like Energy Alternatives Africa (EAA) and Lighting Africa, and the complex interactions between niche actors and the Kenyan government's energy policy regime.

The document outlines the observed and projected climate impacts in Latin America, emphasizing the need for integrated adaptation and low-carbon development to protect economic growth and human security.

The document details SEI's multi-scale approach to climate mitigation, focusing on sub-national policy for cities, the necessity of limiting fossil-fuel infrastructure to meet the 2°C target, and the strategic use of modern bioenergy in developing countries. It highlights the use of the LEAP system for low-carbon planning and describes ongoing efforts to integrate social variables into technical climate analysis.

The document outlines Rwanda's approach to climate compatible development, highlighting the shift toward implementing sustainable development across various government levels. It specifically discusses the identification of 'big wins' for the national Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy and the creation of FONERWA, a national funding mechanism designed to support green growth initiatives while aligning with international climate finance requirements.

The World Resources Institute outlines five priority areas for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board's fifth meeting in Paris: defining funding focus, mobilizing predictable financial resources, ensuring equitable distribution between adaptation and mitigation, building diverse partnerships, and optimizing financial incentives for investors. The briefing emphasizes that current commitments, such as the US$100 billion annual pledge by developed countries, are insufficient compared to the estimated annual needs of developing countries, which could reach $565 billion for mitigation and $70-100 billion for adaptation by 2030.

The document argues that a paradigm shift requires moving from small, project-by-project interventions to programmatic approaches that address entire sectors or economies. It emphasizes that strong country ownership is a prerequisite for ambition and long-term sustainability, suggesting that the GCF should provide more beneficial funding conditions to countries with higher ambition. The brief also discusses the need for clear performance indicators to measure transformative impact and the importance of substantial financial resources from developed countries to trigger larger investments.