Resource information
Developing countries are faced with the
dual challenge of reducing poverty while improving
management of natural capital and mitigating the emission of
greenhouse gases (GHGs) and local pollutants. The challenge
is particularly acute for large, rapidly growing economies,
such as India, China, and Brazil. In response to this
challenge, Energy Sector Management assistance Program
(ESMAP) and the World Bank began in 2007 to provide support
to countries to develop long term frameworks for reducing
GHG emissions in a way that is compatible with economic
growth objectives and tied to national and sectoral plans.
In total, seven studies were conducted between 2007 and
2010, for the following countries: Brazil, China, India,
Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, and South Africa. This report
collates the lessons learned from these studies and is
intended as a practical guide for government officials,
practitioners, and development agencies involved in low
carbon development planning. The low carbon studies were
tailored to the individual needs of each country involved.
In Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Poland the studies
took the form of an economy-wide analysis of low carbon
growth potential, employing a range of data and modeling
tools. The governments of China and South Africa conducted
their own analyses, but requested the assistance of ESMAP
and the World Bank for peer review and to get international
expertise on specific focus areas, such as energy efficiency
and renewable energy. The combined outputs, and the modeling
tools developed as part of the program, represent a
significant contribution to international efforts on climate
change mitigation and low carbon development.
