How does the adoption of green policies and practices affect competitiveness in developing and emerging countries? Can emerging economies compete in the green race? What policy incentives promote low-carbon innovation in firms? Can green transformation enable countries to leapfrog into new competitive industries?
These were among the many questions explored through the 40 papers presented at the Green Transformation and Competitive Advantage Conference, jointly held by the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), and the German Corporation for International Cooperation / Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) from 18-19 June 2018 in Bonn, Germany.
Three papers have been recognized for their policy relevance:
Electric two-wheelers in Africa? Markets, production and policy, by Anthony Black, Justin Barnes, Brian Makundi and Tobias Ritter
According to the selections committee, this paper “…stands out through its accessibility and clarity of argumentation exploring the possibilities and co-benefits for African countries to leapfrog to electric technology for two-wheelers. One can easily imagine how the paper can spark a discussion amongst policy makers in developing countries who have read the paper.”
Managing trade-offs in green industrial policies: The role of policy design, by Tyeler Matsuo and Tobias S. Schmidt
Comparing experience from implementing renewable energy auction schemes in Mexico and South Africa, this paper provides valuable insights on effective green industrial policy design and implementation. By investigating how specific policy design elements shape renewable energy markets and affect the price development as well as local value chains it is very applicable for policy decisions.
China’s Green Transformation Through Eco-Industrial Parks, by Douglas Zhihua Zeng and Lei Shi
By assessing the role of eco-industrial parks in China’s green transformation, the paper addresses a highly relevant topic, as a wide range of developing as well as emerging and industrial countries is currently looking to reform their schemes. They can benefit from the concrete conclusions presented taking into account new international standards which have been developed by the World Bank, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and GIZ.
The selection committee comprised of representatives of DIE, GIZ, and GGKP as well as an independent policy advisor. The selection was based on the following criteria:
- Thematic relevance (How effectively does the paper address the link between green transformation and competitiveness?)
- Significance and usefulness for informing policy decisions (In how far are the findings and recommendations applicable to green industrial policy design and implementation in developing and emerging countries?)
- Originality and level of innovativeness (Does the paper provide new perspectives, approaches or evidence with regard to the current state of the green industrial policy discussion?)
- Accessibility and clarity of argumentation (Is the paper successful in transporting key arguments to a wider audience of public officials and practitioners?)
The conference built on the collective work of the GGKP Trade and Competitiveness Working Group, which DIE and GGKP co-chair. The group examines the effects of green growth policies on the patterns and volume of trade, on national and firm competitiveness, and on employment. This work stream is prioritising the identification of data gaps and potential options for addressing them, particularly in developing countries.
Photo coverage of the Green Transformation and Competitive Advantage Conference is available here.
For more information on DIE’s work on Green Industrial Policy, please visit: http://www.die-gdi.de/en/research/green-industrial-policy