East Asia Knowledge Platform for Low Carbon Growth April 2012 About the Platform, Contributors and Outputs 1. About East Asia Knowledge Platform for Low Carbon Growth In order to help East Asian Summit (EAS) member countries, particularly developing countries, create and implement low carbon and resilient development strategies compatible with their development goals, this platform will provide an opportunity for researchers, policy makers and development practitioners to; Originate & share policy oriented research skills and outputs Digest & translate research outputs and best practices into policy proposals Train & assist policymakers to create and implement strategies 2. Current and Potential Contributors to the Knowledge Platform Research Community Asia-Pacific Integrated Model (AIM) Project Team and International Research Network for Low Carbon Societies (LCS-RNet) partners (research institutions, etc.), to be developed into LoCARNet (Low Carbon Asia Research Network), possible expansion to other regions in the future Policy-makers Government agencies and local government officials in EAS countries (planning and finance, energy and environment ministries and departments, etc.), possible expansion to other regions Development Practitioners International development agencies and think tanks Coordinating Agencies The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
3. Platform Outputs Inputs by Research Institutes AIM Project Team LCS-RNet/IGES Develop the methodologies of locally tailored sustainable low carbon growth scenarios, using Asia-Pacific Integrated Model (AIM), Build capacity of the local researchers and policy-makers to assess their own future vision and the roadmaps towards low carbon growth, making use of a variety of relevant training courses and workshops, Support the local researchers and policymakers who can play an active role in international scientific communities and coordinate the planning and implementation of low carbon growth in line with their research outcomes of low carbon growth scenario studies. LCS-RNet has been conducting four workshops that promote dialogues between policy-makers and researchers, as well as amongst researchers, to encourage lowcarbon development in Asia, which was recognized as growing in importance. LCS-RNet proposed the establishment of a network called the Low Carbon Asia Research Network (LoCARNet) at ASEAN+3 EMM held in October 2011 in Cambodia, which aims to help the Asian region strengthen its fundamental and sustained capacity in formulating science-based policies for low carbon growth. Research Needs by Practitioners examining feasible steps to achieve low carbon societies offering potential options and incentives for low carbon infrastructure investment evaluating market tools to promote transition to low carbon societies Proposals for Future Policy- Research Nexus Implications for Practice promoting dialogue between researchers and policy-makers fortifying collaboration with other stakeholders, including the private sector providing training opportunities for strategic planning of low carbon growth Inputs by Development Practitioners Comprehensive approach that links policy level support, institutional capacity enhancement and project level intervention, while introducing good mix of policy measures and promoting Public-Private Partnership are key in driving transitions towards sustainable low carbon development. Good practices of capacity development for low carbon development include helping local financial institutions acquire know-how on environmental screening to encourage climate friendly technology, education for changing consumer behaviours and e-learning courses for policymakers and stakeholders around the globe. Absence and inappropriate structure of global rules on climate change related transactions (such as market mechanisms) along with the rapid urbanization and motorization outpacing infrastructure development are future direction of tackling of low carbon development.
East Asia Knowledge Platform for Low Carbon Growth April 2012 Summary of Findings and Implications for the Future Group A (Asia-Pacific Integrated Model [AIM] Project Team) 1. Transitions towards Sustainable Low Carbon Growth (LCG) AIM is the first set of LCG models focusing on the Asian region since 1990. Development of AIM has been funded by Ministry of the Environment, Japan. We have proposed Sustainable Low Carbon Societies since 2004, and quantified the pathways to achieve leapfrog development towards LCG in Asia using a back-casting approach (see, Fig.1). 2. Capacity Development AIM Project Team has been supporting various country researchers, national and regional policy makers to develop their country, regional and local LCG scenarios and roadmaps through AIM training workshop and research collaborations since 1994 (see, Fig.2). We have contributed with scientific research for LCG to the international scientific communities and forums such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Many researchers from AIM Project Team and its collaborating institutions play active role as contributors in these forums. 3. Future Directions We would contribute to create locally tailored scientific knowledge and roadmaps aligning LCG with other national and global objectives and capacity building in collaboration with various international projects. An example of such projects is Strengthening Planning Capacity for Low Carbon Growth in Developing Asia by the Asian Development Bank. We would work with the national and sub-national policy makers as well as local researchers in Asia, and propose concrete evidence-based LCG plans and policies that are readily deployable on the ground. Examples of such case studies are LCG development strategies in Iskandar, Malaysia (supported by SATREPS funded by the MEXT and JICA) and Development of LCG Roadmap in Thailand. Contributing Agencies to Group A: AIM Project Team (National Institute for Environmental Studies; Kyoto University; Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc.) Contributing institutions of AIM in Asia Department of Environment (Bangladesh); Energy Research Institute (China); Indian Institutes of Management, Ahmedabad and Lucknow (India); Integrated General Systems Analysis Labs (India); Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal (India); National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research, Bhopal (India); School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal (India); Institut Teknologi Bandung (Indonesia); Bogor Agricultural University (Indonesia); Seoul National University (Korea); Universiti Technologi Malaysia (Malaysia); Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand); Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University (Thailand); King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (Thailand); and Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (Vietnam).
In order to prevent carbon intensive development path in Asia, AIM Project Team have provided evidence-based leapfrog development strategies depicting the feasible and robust mid-to long-term low carbon growth pathways in line with the collaborative research outcomes with local researchers and policy makers in Asia. Figure 1: Leapfrog development towards Low Carbon Societies Policy makers Central/regional government administration Development Agencies NGOs Collaboration for LCS scenario development and building roadmaps Request of more practical, realistic roadmaps and also tractable tools for real world Each country s domestic/ local research institute Application and development to actual LCS processes Core research members Development and maintenance of study tools/models India Bangladesh China Thailand Vietnam Japan Malaysia Indonesia As of Nov. 2011 Figure 2: How to deploy our study towards leapfrog development in Asia
East Asia Knowledge Platform for Low Carbon Growth Summary of Findings and Implications for the Future Group B (International Research Networks) Contributing Agencies to Group B Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) International Research Network for Low Carbon Societies (LCS-RNet) Low Carbon Asia Research Network (LoCARNet) April 2012 1. Transitions towards Sustainable Low Carbon Growth The Asian region has enough potential to move forward with low-carbon growth, with a number of ongoing favourable conditions to turn challenges into opportunities. Leapfrogging will open the way for Asian countries to lead the way to a low-carbon society at the global level. It is never too soon for Asia to respond to the rapid changes caused by climate change. We have to deliver a prompt and concerted response to climate stabilisation combining global wisdom and promoting knowledge sharing and information exchange. We need to lay down a common foundation for knowledge sharing, where we can share/combine the wisdom in this region from various fields. 2. Capacity Development LCS-RNet has been conducting four workshops that promote dialogues between policymakers and researchers, as well as amongst researchers, to encourage low-carbon growth in Asia, which was recognised as growing in importance. ADB Technical Assistance on "Strengthening Planning Capacity for Low Carbon Growth in Developing Asia" is delivering CB program for policy-makers through (i) customisation of country-specific planning tools; (ii) analysis to help create low-carbon growth roadmaps; and (iii) a series of hands-on training workshops, in collaboration with AIM team. 3. Future Directions LCS-RNet proposed the establishment of a network called the Low Carbon Asia Research Network (LoCARNet) at ASEAN+3 EMM held in October 2011 in Cambodia. There is a need to enhance collaboration with other stakeholders. International organisations and development practitioners can cooperate toward low-carbon research and provide support to build up a research exchange network/platform. Private sector collaboration will also become more important for green investment and green growth. Coordination and collaboration are vital at the national, sub-national/cities and regional levels. This will strengthen ownership of knowledge, and also accelerate the speed of lowcarbon growth in Asia.
Knowledge cluster for lowcarbon growth research: Low carbon growth research needs broad disciplinary knowledge, tools and methods for integration into practical policy process towards a sustainable future. We need knowledge sharing networks for exchanging wisdom to strengthen research capacity in the Asian region. Low Carbon Asia Research Network (LoCARNet) is a multilayered, flexible network, open for researchers and like-minded stakeholders, to share their knowledge and experience, to promote research cooperation related to low-carbon growth, and to provide inputs to policy making processes. For further inquiries, please contact; LCS-RNet Secretariat c/o Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) 2108-11 Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0115, Japan http://lcs-rnet.org/index.html E-mail: lcs-rnet@iges.or.jp Fax: +81 (0)46 855 3809
East Asia Knowledge Platform for Low Carbon Growth April 2012 Summary of Findings and Implications for the Future Group C (International Development Agencies) 1. Transitions towards Sustainable Low Carbon Growth Comprehensive Approach: Linking policy level support, institutional capacity enhancement and project level intervention is effective in achieving desired outcomes. Public-Private Partnership: Promoting private sector investment is crucial for large scale deployment of renewable and energy saving technologies. Good Mix of Policy Measures: Transportation - 1) reduction of travel demand, 2) shift to carbon efficient modes, 3) technological improvement / Forestry (REDD+) -1) supporting developing countries to be ready for future framework, 2) shaping robust global MRV architecture, 3) demonstration of socially fair market mechanism 2. Capacity Development Role of Financial Institutions (FIs): Helping local FIs acquire know-how on environmental screening can lead to expansion of climate friendly technology in developing countries. Changing Behaviours: Education of consumers (people commuting to work, businesses buying equipment) is a key component in energy efficiency, transportation programs. Easy Access to Information using the Internet: E-learning courses have offered various opportunities for diverse stakeholders in an easy-to-access manner (i.e. educating policy makers worldwide on climate smart agriculture in landscape management) 3. Future Directions Shaping International Framework: Global rules on emission reduction in key sectors (such as REDD+) remain unshaped, causing uncertainty in pilot programs. Coping with Rapid Urbanization and Motorization: Progress of low carbon infrastructure development is currently not able to cope with rapid urbanization and motorization. Appropriate Utilization of Market Mechanism: Existing CDM and new approaches need to be structured to give right incentives for low carbon investment. Contributing Agencies to Group C Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) The World Bank
Flagship Initiatives and Programmes Australian Agency for International Development Japan International Cooperation Agency The World Bank Analyzing and Supporting Policy [AusAID] Low Carbon Growth Policy Analysis in Indonesia Technical assistance and policy advice to Indonesia which assisted the Ministry of Finance to achieve its Green Paper titled Economic and Fiscal Policy Strategies for Climate Change Mitigation in Indonesia in 2009. [JICA] Low Carbon Development Policy Support Programs Policy based budget support and technical to facilitate formulation and implementation of climate change policies in alignment with national development policies (Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, etc.) Targeting Key Sectors [AusAID] International Forest Carbon Initiative (IFCI) Trialing a range of approaches, particularly in Indonesia, to demonstrate how investment in REDD+ can achieve emission reductions, and assisting countries to develop the underpinnings for regulatory frameworks for REDD+. [JICA] Scaling up REDD+ Developing REDD+ capacity and framework in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, etc. : 1) policy issues (legal framework, etc.), 2) monitoring (forest resource database, etc.), 3) demonstration, and 4) research [AusAID] Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards (PALS) Program Designed to implement labelling and standards for energy-using equipment such as fridges, air conditioners and lighting in the Pacific where challenges exist in energy security and their vulnerability to the effects of climate change. [JICA] Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy Energy conservation measures, renewable energy technology and rural electrification with clean energy taking advantage of Japan s cutting-edge technology (geothermal in Indonesia, Top- Runner Program in India, etc.) [JICA] Sustainable Low Carbon Development in the Transport Sector Designing and promoting sustainable freight and transportation infrastructure network thru efficient logistics, cleaner technologies and less traffic congestion (MRT in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, efficient bus in Laos, etc. Sharing Practical Knowledge [JICA] Science and Technology Partnership (SATREPS) SATREPS is a Japanese government program promoting international joint research on global issues. SATREPS works through three- to five-year projects involving partnerships between researchers in Japan and developing countries. [WB] Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP) Provides access to a one-stop-shop integrating climate related information at different aggregation scales, allowing clients to visualize, integrate and synthesize key information on development under a changing climate. [WB] E-Learning for Climate Change E-courses through cost-efficient means in 4 clusters: 1) essentials of climate change, 2) low carbon development /carbon and climate finance, 3) energy, and 4) climate-smart agriculture in landscape management. Initiatives and Programmes of Other Donors in the Region [ADB] Leveraging, channeling and managing concessional resources for low-carbon development ADB, through its own financial resources and that of bilateral donors, supports investments in low-carbon development throughout Asia and the Pacific, ranging from climate change mitigation and adaptation activities to investments in clean energy, sustainable transport and livable cities. [ADB] Sustainable Development and Climate Change Leadership Training Program (SDCL) ADB is developing this training program for policy makers, top managers, and technical officers in developing Asian countries, to help integrate sustainable development and climate change responses into national policies, and programs for economic and social development and poverty reduction.