This ‘Inside story on climate compatible development’ by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) finds that Fiji has an advanced REDD+ policy and planning process, which has also inspired other Pacific countries to engage with REDD+. By using REDD+ financing to conserve forests, Fiji is not only contributing to climate change mitigation, but also climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. The brief notes that climate change adaptation is the highest policy priority for Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Therefore, it is difficult for smaller PICs to justify the costs of developing readiness to participate in international mitigation mechanisms. However, REDD+ can help build countries’ resilience to the effects of climate change, and with funding and technical support from the international community, even small countries can make significant progress in creating policies and strategies for REDD+.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.
India, recognising the challenge of pursuing economic growth in a sustainable manner, has developed an energy efficiency scheme to govern large energy consumers.
Thailand’s support policies for renewable energy in the power sector have allowed individual small projects to add up to something substantial, attracting more investment and leading to faster growth in the sector than in most other Asian nations.
The city of Chiang Mai, Thailand has launched the non-motorised transport (NMT) system, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create employment opportunities for people living in urban poverty.
Big cities in developing countries are centers of economic growth, and magnets for people seeking better opportunities. That is the good part.