The concept of low carbon development (LCD) was established in the context of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Since the Confer-ence of the Parties in Copenhagen in 2009, ‘Low-Emission Development Strate-gies’ (LEDS) have been regarded as the central component of low-emission sus-tainable development (see e.g. Copenhagen Accord). In addition, in the context of the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), a ‘green’ economy, or one that takes environmental aspects into account, was rec-ognised as one of the most important instruments available for achieving sustain-able development. According to UNEP, a green economy is one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environ-mental risks and ecological scarcities. A green economy (GE) is therefore low car-bon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. Both definitions are based on the principle of including the environment and development in economic decisions, policies and planning processes.
Against the backdrop of these international strategies, the project aims to improve knowledge and capacity relating to GE approaches and instruments geared to-wards low carbon development at the international level and in selected partner countries. As a contribution to the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), an initiative of UNEP, ILO, UNIDO and UNITAR, the project advises part-ner countries on implementing GE measures in the context of national low carbon development paths.
The project also aims to improve the effectiveness of national GE policy pro-grammes. It accelerates the process of elaborating and implementing GE policies by closing existing capacity gaps and promoting cooperation with other climate-related instruments (e.g. NAMAs and LCDS). Furthermore, the project supports BMUB in the follow-up process to Rio+20, provides analyses on important aspects of GE and contributes to political dialogue. Country-specific work and continuous international exchange will make a positive contribution to international climate negotiations by improving understanding of GE in the partner countries. The ad-vantages of linking greenhouse gas emission reduction for national economic growth and national planning processes are emphasised in this work. The project has been designed as the continuation of the ongoing International Climate Initia-tive (IKI) project on the green economy (11_I_179_Global_G_Green Economy).
While the project focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting low-emission development, GE’s holistic approach also makes a contribution to climate change adaptation and to the resilience of other development processes. This is taken into account in GE action plans, strategies and legislative processes. The GE approach aims to integrate the three dimensions of sustainable develop-ment. With this in mind, the project also aims to improve the coherency of eco-nomic, environmental and social aspects. In so doing, it focuses on conflicting objectives in efforts to achieve the transition to a resource-efficient, low carbon economy while also addressing social aspects (e.g. social disparity, job creation and social security).