Review of Networks and Platforms for Low Emission and Climate Compatible Development Planning Discussion Paper Prepared by the Coordinated Low Emissions Assistance Network (CLEAN) December 1, 2011 Executive Summary This paper responds to a request from the July 13th High Level Dialogue on Low Emission Development Policy Implementation convened by the World Bank for a review of existing networks and platforms supporting low emission and climate compatible development planning. It also presents results from an inventory of LEDS related programs across countries. This review is a preliminary desk based study based on information available through web sites, publications, and other information available to the authors. The conclusions presented here should be treated with caution given the limitations of the review, including the need for further dialogue and input from developing countries to evaluate the adequacy of existing networks and platforms relative to their needs and priorities. The review highlights the following trends: LEDS Networks and Platforms . A rich portfolio of low emission and climate compatible development platforms and networks are operating, with some notable gaps as highlighted in other points below. Many of these networks and platforms are seeking increased participation by developing countries and have not achieved balanced engagement across both developed and developing countries across regions. Few networks bring together private sector companies and investors with country government officials, international program managers, and technical institutes. High level political leaders across countries from all regions are not actively engaging in ongoing dialogue on LEDs issues through the existing networks, although several forums have tried with limited success to foster such high level dialogue. Providing data and tools is a common area of focus across platforms and networks, with availability of expert assistance, peer learning, and capacity building (especially long-term training programs) only available through some of the forums. Only a couple networks and platforms are comprehensive in scope, offering a full portfolio of technical resources and interactive services. Energy sector networks and platforms appear to have significant presence across geographic regions and take part in a diverse set of activities, while there are fewer networks and platforms operating for land use (e.g. agriculture and forestry) issues than for the energy sector. Analysis was not conducted of forums for other specific sectors . While several forums focus on cross-sectoral adaptation issues, few forums appear to address adaptation issues at a sectoral level. More networks and platforms are operating at global rather than regional levels and certain regions have fewer networks (e.g., central Asia, Middle East, sub-regions in Africa, etc.). LEDS Activities Across Countries . There are at least 70 countries working on LEDS-related activities1 and over 25 international programs supporting these efforts. 1 LEDS-related activities include work on low carbon development plans, NAMAs, TNAs, roadmaps and similar efforts. There are certain countries with a significant number of LEDS support activities underway providing a strong opportunity for donor coordination. Some of these countries include Mexico, Colombia, India, Vietnam, China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil, South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Regional clusters of LEDS support are emerging. Notable examples include West Africa, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Other regions have fewer LEDS support activities currently underway including Central Africa and the Middle East. Introduction Policymakers and leading experts in the field of low emission development planning came together on July 13, 2011 for a High Level Dialogue on Low Emission Development Policy Implementation convened by the World Bank. A key outcome of the workshop was the development of proposals for action moving forward. One action item was a call for a review of existing networks and platforms supporting low emission and climate compatible development planning as well as knowledge gaps in this space as presented here. The paper is presented in two parts with Part I providing preliminary results of a review of existing networks and platforms and Part II sharing information on the geographic scope of low emission development planning programs compiled by the Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Global Partnership and the Coordinated Low Emissions Assistance Network (CLEAN). The Coordinated Low Emissions Assistance Network (CLEAN) is comprised of nearly 50 organizations from around the world that are providing technical assistance to developing countries on low emission plans and programs. CLEAN partners are collaborating on various projects to improve low emission planning methods, tools, training, and delivery of technical assistance. The LEDS Global Partnership is a related network of country officials, managers of international LEDS programs, and technical institutions seeking to coordinate support to developing countries, share best practices, and strengthen capacity building. These two programs work in close cooperation and seek to engage developing countries in their activities. Both CLEAN and the LEDS Global Partnership are keen to increase developing country participation in their activities. Acknowledgements This document was prepared by Ron Benioff, Sadie Cox and Samuel Tobin of the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on behalf of the Coordinated Low Emissions Assistance Network (CLEAN). The authors would like to thank the many CLEAN partners who provided input including the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), along with others. We also would like to thank the Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN) for co-authoring the summary of trends in LEDS country support. Part I. Review of Existing Low Emission and Climate Compatible Development Planning Networks and Platforms Need and Opportunity Identified at High Level LEDS Dialogue at the World Bank Given the broad array of existing low emission and climate Diagram 1 – LEDS Networks and compatible development expert and investor networks and Knowledge Platforms knowledge platforms, a review is proposed of the scope and gaps in these activities to inform efforts to strengthen such networks and platforms. This review could be conducted initially for three types of networks and platforms: those addressing comprehensive and cross-sectoral LEDS activities, energy sector networks and platforms, and those focused on one other priority sector (e.g., land-use, sustainable communities, etc.). This review would evaluate both expert and investor networks and knowledge platforms in tandem since they are most effective when working in an integrated way. CLEAN could lead or assist with such a review in collaboration with other organizations and networks to deliver a more comprehensive strategic framework to inform and guide the work on other proposals. (Dialogue on Support for Low Emission Development Policy: Preliminary Ideas Emerging from the Discussion, World Bank, August 2011) Methodology A desk-based study was performed to collect information and data on existing cross-sectoral and sectoral networks and knowledge platforms that can support low emission and climate resilient planning. The networks and knowledge platforms were divided by focus area including crosscutting (adaptation and mitigation across sectors), adaptation, mitigation, energy, and land use (agriculture and forestry). Information was then collected on activities or services provided by these actors including provision of best practices, data and tools, expert assistance, peer-to-peer forums, reports and training2. Finally, an analysis of gaps and areas of strength within the categories of networks considered was performed. Key findings from this analysis are presented below. Limitations This is a high-level review looking at the scope of international programs and not the needs and priorities of individual countries. Given time and resource constraints, the list of networks and platforms included 2 Reference Annex 2 for terminology definitions. in this study is only partial. The authors are more familiar with networks and platforms relating to low emission development and to energy resources and thus the report may show a bias towards activities for these topics and not fully capture activities on adaptation and for the land use sectors. It is expected that these data will be supplemented over time with additional input from organizations around the world, including CLEAN partners, LEDS Global Partnership members, other developing and developed country stakeholders and international institutions. Thus, the findings presented should be considered preliminary and will be updated as more data and information are collected. Findings Across All Networks and Platforms 1. A rich portfolio of low emission and climate compatible development platforms and networks are operating, with some notable gaps as highlighted in other points below. The analysis shows that there are over 50 networks and knowledge platforms supporting low emission and climate compatible development planning and this number will likely increase as donors expand efforts in this area.3 There is, therefore, not only a need to understand gaps in knowledge, but