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CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

CASE STUDY Lighting the way to a brighter future

The knows all too well the With a population of 1.3 billion, growing at 1.2% per year, is a heavy hitter in the world of global emissions. But while threat that poses to the country is the globe’s third largest emitter human health, economies and the after the US and China, it also has big ambitions in terms of efficiency. environment. The energy sector accounts for With energy savings of 50-70% some 71% of India’s emissions, a compared to other technologies, The commitment shown in the proves fact the government is committed expansion of the venture’s this. But even with the Paris pledges, the is heading to changing through an aggressive LED lighting initiatives alone for a rise of 2.9 to 3.4°C this century alone, far rollout of energy efficiency is expected to save over 7.5 above the 1.5°C limit recommended by UN Environment’s programmes, including a plan to million tonnes in CO2-equivalent Emissions Gap Report 2016. Without further action to hit be the world’s first country to use emissions in the years to 2022. LEDs for all its lighting needs. the 1.5°C target, we can expect climate impacts that will Meanwhile, through the roll out hamstring the world’s development ambitions – from more- “It will be message that India of tri-generation, which combines intense , to longer and rising levels. acts rather than making big simultaneous heating, cooling and And the longer we delay, the more it will cost, and the more promises,” according to Power electricity generation, and smart difficult it will be to protect future generations. Minister Piyush Goyal. grid technology, which enables advanced load forecasting, load UN Environment and partners are control, outage management and United action is needed. And it can’t wait. At the backing India’s green ambitions theft detection, the partnership UN Environment Climate Change Mitigation Unit, we are through Creating and Sustaining is boosting energy efficiency working with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Markets for Energy Efficiency, while proving the value of partners around the world to make that action a reality. a Global Environment Facility- greener technologies in the supported project to boost the commercial market. uptake of efficiency lighting and With a 25-year track record of success, we are helping other technologies. “All these are new technologies countries to reduce and prevent . and business models, yet untested Together, UN Environment and the GEF are providing the The project is supporting Indian in India,” Energy Efficiency Services technical know-how, funding and implementation experience public-private venture Energy Ltd Director Saurabh Kumar says, Efficiency Services Ltd to “the GEF grants will be used to needed to improve energy efficiency, promote renewable expand the market for LED street open up these markets.” energy, and encourage low-carbon technologies. From lighting and domestic lighting, transport, to power generation, to energy efficient homes, while providing the expertise “Global partnerships such as industries and cities, we have worked together on more than necessary for the venture to these will accelerate our efforts 140 projects. UN Environment-led projects funded under test new technologies such in mitigating climate change and as super-efficient ceiling fans, provide hope for a better future for the current GEF 6 cycle alone have mitigated CO -equivalent 2 tri-generation technologies and the coming generations.” emissions of almost 7.5 million tonnes to date. smart grid-applications. UN Environment-GEF Climate Change Mitigation project countries

The UN Environment-GEF partnership in Mitigation

UN Environment and the GEF are working together to identify, Currently, the UN Environment-GEF Climate Change Mitigation develop and implement global, regional and country-specific portfolio comprises 62 projects worth over $212 million, projects to tackle the issues of climate change. These projects assisting 113 countries around the world to meet their assist countries to meet their emissions reduction targets, and climate-related goals. help make their economies more competitive and robust.

Over the past 25 years we have collaborated on 146 projects across 139 countries, with the GEF investing over $338 million in UN Environment-led initiatives to date. All dollar ($) amounts refer to US dollars. Why UN Environment?

As a science-based organization, with over 40 years of frontline experience guiding the international environmental agenda, advising on and implementing projects from the national to the global level, UN Environment offers its country partners a unique breadth and depth of expertise. We convene and contribute to a range of multi-stakeholder platforms to Technical expertise and resources build partnerships and develop and share knowledge and best practice on climate change issues. Recognized as a leading expert in the of markets and offers tailored assistance to climate change mitigation, UN Environment governments to develop and implement has developed a range of tools and initiatives strategies and projects to achieve fast that are now being used internationally to and sustainable market transformation Global policy advance climate change mitigation efforts: District energy, through the Global District Energy in Cities Initiative: This Vehicle fuel efficiency, via the Global multi-stakeholder partnership is UN Framework Convention on Climate Fuel Economy Initiative: Supported coordinated by UN Environment, with Change: UN Environment played with GEF funding, this partnership financial support from the GEF, the an integral part in the negotiation of brings together UN Environment, Danish International Development the Convention, and the GEF serves the International Energy Agency, Agency, and the Italian Ministry of the as its financial mechanism. The OECD International Transport Environment. It aims to accelerate the UN Environment-GEF partnership Forum, International Council on transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient helps countries to meet their reporting Clean Transportation, Institute for cities through modern district energy obligations by supporting the completion Transportation Studies at UC Davis, systems. The partnership is comprised of of key inputs, including Intended and the FIA Foundation, to make real 38 public and private partners, including Nationally Determined Contributions, improvements in fuel economy in industry associations, manufacturers, Technology Needs Assessments, vehicles around the world. The Initiative utilities, financiers, city-networks, and National Communications and Biennial promotes these objectives through non-government groups. Currently, Update Reports. We recently assisted shared analysis, advocacy, and in-country the Initiative is working with 15 cities over 70 countries to report their policy support via the Cleaner, More across Bosnia and Herzegovina, commitments to reduce emissions, and Efficient Vehicles Tool , China, India, , Morocco, helped more than 50 to develop their Efficient appliances, via United for Serbia and Technology Needs Assessments Efficiency: Led by UN Environment, Greener Cities Partnership: This National governments and regional with GEF funding, the partnership between UN Environment trade bodies: UN Environment, with Development Programme, the and UN- aims to strengthen GEF funding, works with governments International Copper Association, CLASP synergies between the two agencies and and trade bodies to develop policies and the Natural Resources Defense among their partners, highlighting local- that promote energy-efficient products, Council, this public-private partnership global linkages in environmental issues, energy investments, and clean modes informs policy makers of the potential bringing an environmental perspective of transport. Through platforms such environmental, financial and economic to urban policymaking and incorporating as the Global Fuel Economy Initiative, savings of transition to high-efficiency urban perspectives into environmental United for Efficiency and the En.lighten products, identifies and promotes policy decisions Initiative, we work with regional political global best practices in transforming and economic organizations to set and lift standards collectively – enabling truly global progress on key issues Project highlights

En.lighten: En.lighten supported 48 demonstration project options. As an “If we don’t start taking countries in adopting national or regional example, Bogotá, Colombia, is now efficient lighting strategies, setting integrating a new local building energy additional action now… the groundwork for annual electricity performance code into the city’s master we will grieve over the savings of over 25 TWh – equivalent to plan, opening the way to a 31% reduction 8,600 MW of power generation capacity, in greenhouse gas emissions from avoidable human tragedy. $2.75 billion in economic savings, and energy consumption in homes to be

The growing numbers of a 14-million-tonne reduction in CO2 built for an estimated 2.7 million new emissions – equivalent to taking 7.8 citizens by 2050 climate refugees hit by million passenger cars off the road Global Fuel Economy Initiative: , poverty, illness and The Building Efficiency Accelerator: This initiative is enabling countries This partnership now consists of 40 to reduce emissions from passenger conflict will be a constant organizations and companies and vehicles, with the overall aim of doubling reminder of our failure to 28 cities with commitments to have the fuel efficiency of light-duty vehicles policies or programmes in place to globally by 2050, from an average of deliver.” advance energy efficiency in buildings. 8L/100km to 4L/100km. So far, the The Accelerator is supporting city initiative has developed national fuel Erik Solheim, Executive Director, partners in stakeholder engagement, economy policies for 27 countries UN Environment identifying policy priorities, and reviewing Towards a low-emission future

The Emissions Gap Report 2016 says the world “must urgently ramp up action to cut a further 25% from predicted 2030 emissions” to avoid global rising further. Achieving this will be a huge challenge, but it is one the world can meet if we all join forces.

At the UN Environment-GEF partnership we are bringing our combined expertise and experience to projects in the following areas:

Cities: Focusing on integrated planning and resource efficiency, UN Environment will promote low-carbon transport networks (e.g. electric vehicles), low-emission zones, energy-efficient buildings, district energy and transport-oriented development in cities in Brazil and South . This will also save by improving air quality in fast-developing urban centres Energy efficiency: The partnership will explore new technologies and apply cost-effective approaches to future initiatives. Successful projects on lighting will be extended to other appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioning systems, transformers and electric motors. The goal is to have 100 countries commit to energy efficiency targets for lighting and appliances, and help them put in place effective policies and standards Electric mobility: UN Environment’s E-mobility programme supports the development of electric mobility strategies and roadmaps at national and regional level. With a special focus on emerging economies, we are working with strategic partners, including the International Energy Agency, International Transport Forum, International Council for Clean Transportation, FIA Foundation and University California Davis, to exchange best practices, promote clean technology options and help countries move towards electric transportation, including buses, two- and three- wheelers and light-duty vehicles in to harness this potential by creating Innovative financing: To fund a brighter, more-sustainable incentives, ending harmful subsidies and removing barriers future, the world must turn to smarter, greener investments. to green investments. With GEF funding, UN Environment The benefits are not just environmental – they are will analyze national economies and develop financial economic. Doubling the share of renewables in our regulatory road- to assist countries to move towards energy mix would increase global GDP by an estimated sustainable, low carbon futures $1.3 trillion by 2030, while eliminating subsidies could save governments $300-600 billion annually and The work of the UN Environment-GEF partnership demonstrates putting a meaningful price on carbon could shift consumer that together we have the ability, experience and know-how and business behaviours, with profound benefits for to work with partners old and new to deliver in these areas. human health, agriculture, and innovation – all central to By doing so, we can take the urgent action needed to combat an inclusive green economy. We will help countries invest climate change, achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and provide a better and more just world for all.

To find out how to work with us, please contact:

Geordie Colville / Ruth Coutto GEF Portfolio Managers, Climate Change Mitigation Tel: +254 20 762 3257; +33 14 437 1634 Email: [email protected]; [email protected] UN Environment P.O. Box 30552 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya