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On January 27, 2010 ESMAP co-hosted a learning session 'How to get started on a low carbon growth country study' together with the Climate Change for Development Professionals Program (CCDP), CF-Assist (WBI) and the Energy and Mining Sector Board.
Designed as an interactive workshop, the session highlighted and contrasted different aspects, processes, and approaches to implement low carbon growth country studies. Participants were introduced to case studies from different sectors –land-use and forestry in Brazil, energy efficiency and power in Mexico and transportation in India – to learn about the support provided to country counterparts; the approaches used to identify low carbon priorities and to raise awareness with internal/external audiences on critical successes; and potential pitfalls associated with such work.
The session was opened by Marianne Fay, co-Director of the World Development Report on Development and Climate Change 2010 and Christopher Flavin, President of the Worldwatch Institute. Their presentations provided participants with a conceptual framework on low carbon growth scenario analysis and related policy aspects to set the stage for a review of country case studies.
The learning session also provided participants with an opportunity for cross sectoral learning, knowledge sharing and discussion through a plenary discussion with low carbon growth practitioners from India, China and Indonesia, climate practitioners and country economists.
Discussions centered on how to take the experience from the successful seven-country low carbon country study program and expand and scale up this initiative. An overarching message from participant discussions was the need to prioritize target countries for future low carbon assessments placing emphasis on high greenhouse gas emitters. In doing so, it was suggested that studies could focus on important segments of the economy and not necessarily the economy as a whole and that emphasis should be placed on other environmental issues as well. To support client buy-in there must be a clear rationale on the need for a low carbon assessment. While the studies main focus is on long term planning it is important to also demonstrate quick results.
To streamline study processes it was suggested that the Bank/ ESMAP could develop simplified tools to support the design and implementation of low carbon assessments. This should include mechanisms to support strong in-country data collection and to build in-country capacity on “how to” get the studies done.
An unanswered question that arose in the session was how to decouple economic growth from environmental concerns.
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Jane Ebinger, Senior Energy Specialist
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