The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank report, which is based on analyses in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland and South Africa, finds that many of the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures pay themselves back, while ambitious global action to reduce technology costs, scale up private sector financing, and provide climate financing is still required.
4 December 2012: The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank has released a new report, titled “Planning for a Low Carbon Future: Lessons Learned from Seven Country Studies,” which presents results from cases studies on strategies to develop long-term frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to economic growth.
The report covers efforts in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland and South Africa, to which ESMAP and the World Bank provided support between 2007 and 2010 to conduct analyses for low-carbon growth strategies. The report finds that, while potential for large-scale reductions in GHG emissions exists, there is no one-size-fits-all model.
The report further finds that: action needs to be taken across sectors to achieve GHG reductions, including in energy supply and demand, land use, forestry, urban development and planning, and sustainable transport; many interventions, such as cogeneration, improving vehicle efficiency, and reducing electricity system losses, come at a negative cost; more ambitious action is required at the global level to bring down technology costs, support the development of new technologies, scale up private sector financing, and provide climate finance to developing countries; and more support is required in many countries for policy and technical advice and further sectoral analyses.
The report also highlights lessons learned on conducting these types of studies, including: that governments should take a leading role; the importance of establishing a multidisciplinary team; the role of stakeholder engagement; and the need for reliable and accurate data. [ESMAP Press Release] [ESMAP Key Messages of the Report] [Publication: Planning for a Low Carbon Future: Lessons Learned from Seven Country Studies]