2 December 2013: The Low Emission Capacity Building (LECB) Programme’s Global Meeting focused on attracting climate finance for low emission development, discussed preparation of Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS), and included national presentations and a skills-based training course on climate finance.

The meeting, which took place from 25-27 September 2013, in Hanoi, Viet Nam, brought together over 70 participants, including representatives from LECB countries, key ministries (finance, planning and environment), donor agencies, and other relevant global programmes and institutions.

The meeting’s first day focused on national experiences and best practices for low emission development, such as how to initiate a LEDS and the importance of linking LEDS to broader policy frameworks. The second day addressed climate finance, specifically focusing on capacity development needs, engaging both public and private investors, and the range of support available to developing countries. The third day merged the two thematic streams of LEDS and climate finance through the introduction of models for creating an enabling environment to catalyze investment in low emission development through policy and public finance tools. The meeting also included a ‘Finance Clinic,’ which enabled participants to delve deeper into specific topics during small group discussions.

Research commissioned by the LECB Programme’s Global Support Unit on barriers to investment was also presented at the meeting. The research found that: for governments, the biggest barrier to developing LEDS is technical capacity, while the most important barrier to moving forward in implementing LEDS is access to finance; and for donors and investors, lack of financeable and implementable projects is an obstacle. Identifying and applying the appropriate mix of financial and policy levers were also underscored as critical for attracting private sector investment.

The LECB Programme was launched in January 2011, as part of a joint collaboration between the EU and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The LECB Programme Global Meeting serves as an annual forum for LECB practitioners, policy makers, donors and global experts to discuss experiences, share best practices and strengthen capacities in the field of low-carbon development. [LECB Programme Global Meeting Website] [LECB Programme Website] [MRV Partnership Press Release]