Climate change is damaging human health now and is projected to have a greater impact in the future. Low- and middle-income countries are seeing the worst effects as they are most vulnerable to climate shifts and least able to adapt given weak health systems and poor infrastructure.
... See More + Low-carbon approach can provide effective, cheaper care while at the same time being climate smart. Low-carbon healthcare can advance institutional strategies toward low-carbon development and health-strengthening imperatives and inspire other development institutions and investors working in this space. Low-carbon healthcare provides an approach for designing, building, operating, and investing in health systems and facilities that generate minimal amounts of greenhouse gases. It puts health systems on a climate-smart development path, aligning health development and delivery with global climate goals. This approach saves money by reducing energy and resource costs. It can improve the quality of care in a diversity of settings. By prompting ministries of health to tackle climate change mitigation and foster low-carbon healthcare, the development community can help governments strengthen local capacity and support better community health.
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The development objective of the Desk-top Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for an Eskom Pilot Carbon Capture Project for South Africa is to advance the work that already has been carried out in South Africa in identifying carbon capture storage sites from the current theoretical storage, including associated capacity building and regulatory requirements for the test injection.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (1) the associated infrastructure applied for during the environmental impact assessment (EIA) included all associated infrastructure such as a water treatment works, a wastewater treatment works, access roads, railway line, water supply pipelines, a coal stockyard, an ash disposal facility, a coal and ash conveyor system, and water storage facilities; (2) independent environmental control officers (ECOs) are appointed as per the environmental assessment (EA) conditions and their key role is to ensure project compliance to authorizations through site inspections, audits, review of method statements, etc. and reporting of compliance reports to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA); and (3) compliance to the various environmental approvals is a key to Kusile hence various methodologies to ensure compliance are implemented.
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Despite the declining trends in total energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, energy intensity, and emission intensity over the past two decades, Romania still emits more greenhouse gas per unit of output than many other members of the European Union.
... See More + The country is looking for further greening of its energy supply system to achieve the clean energy and climate change mitigation goals included in the European Union's 2030 target and 2050 Roadmap. Using an energy supply optimization model, TIMES, this study develops energy supply mixes for Romania under a baseline scenario that satisfies the European Union's current energy and climate targets for 2020, a green scenario that satisfies the European Union's 2030 energy and climate targets, and a super green scenario that satisfies the European Union's prospective 2050 energy road map. The study finds that although Romania could achieve the green scenario at a moderate cost, it would be challenging and costly to achieve the super green scenario.
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Policy Research Working Paper WPS7698 JUN 07, 2016
This Green Growth Country Assessment for Romania suggests a low carbon and climate-adapting growth path to 2050, based on technical economic analysis—including macroeconomic and sector modeling, benchmarking, and marginal abatement curve analysis.
... See More + Greenhouse gas emission reductions need to come from the energy sector (low carbon fuels and energy efficiency); transport (public and private policies and investments even as motorization rises); and urban areas (design, transport, and buildings despite sprawling development) with Bucharest leading. As a warmer dryer climate threatens water availability, affordable adaptation actions in water and agriculture are needed to balance competing demands. Romania’s expansive forests are critical to removing emissions but also require adaptation action. Economy-wide macroeconomic modeling provides an integrated greener and low carbon path, concluding that the upcoming EU 2030 framework for climate policy is affordable although challenging for Romania, but the prospective EU Roadmap 2050 will prove expensive and demanding.
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The development objective of the Desk-top Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for an Eskom Pilot Carbon Capture Project for South Africa is to advance the work that already has been carried out in South Africa in identifying carbon capture storage sites from the current theoretical storage, including associated capacity building and regulatory requirements for the test injection.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts include: (i) potential damage to surfaced roads or civil infrastructure along road corridors; (ii) well drilling will penetrate near surface aquifer and regional unconformity surface that comprises a regional aquiclude separating fresh and saline groundwater zones; (iii) seismic survey lines intersect seasonal interdune depression (swale) wetlands locally; (iii) damage to soils on the routes of the vibroseis survey transects or on the well drilling sites; (iv) project activities could have a negative impact on longterm landuse options on community land or in conservation areas; (v) vibroseis survey and drilling could impact fauna in the grasslands, woodlands or wetlands; (vi) activity of heavy machinery and other vehicles could lead to wetland degradation or disturb surface water flow paths in an area with extensive wetlands; (vii) noise and vibration generated by vibroseis trucks and drill rigs could impact community members or infrasturcture; (viii) disturbance of unmarked archaeological sites, cultural heritage sites or graves; and (ix) generation of waste materials that could cause local environmental damage. Some of the mitigation measures include: (i) inform provincial, municipal and community structures about schedules for vibroseis in any area in advance during ongoing stakeholder construction; (ii) drilling must not interfere with shallow groundwater resource used by surrounding community; (iii) routes follow remnant cutlines, vehicle tracks, public roads or the road shoulder or reserve zone where vegetation has already been cleared and the topsoil is disturbed; (iv) rehabilitation of the project infrastructure site will ensure that vegetation and soil disturbance does not result in long-term erosion by wind or water; (v) the vibroseis operation is non-invasive and its progression along routes will ensure that the impact is short-lived and restricted to one pass; (vi) vibroseis activities will be limited to disturbed road corridors where wetlands are crossed; (vii) vibroseis operations on public roads must be pre-authorised by the provincial Dept Transport to ensure that no damage occurs on gravelled or tar surfaced roads; (viii) community heritage sites have been identified in the uMkhanyakude DM environmental management framework; and (ix) drilling water and fluid management and recycling on the drilling site will reduce the potential for contamination of surface water.
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In the context of the strategic discussions on its Forward Look, the WBG is assessing how its four arms – IDA, IBRD, IFC and MIGA – can best support clients in meeting the objectives of eradicating extreme poverty and increasing shared prosperity.
... See More + Climate-related disasters are eroding development gains. IDA countries are particularly vulnerable, and enhancing resilience is a key priority. Reducing emissions is critical in the long run for poverty reduction, and IDA has played a catalytic role in countries’ energy planning. In 2015, the global community agreed on several actions to deal with challenges posed by climate change and disaster risks. Implementation of the global agenda, particularly in IDA countries, will require strong technical and financial support. The WBG is well positioned to help countries achieve their targets while fostering inclusive development that builds resilience to climate change, and reducing the risk of millions slipping back into poverty. Through IDA, the WBG is bringing the global climate agenda into country-level development programs and aligning climate objectives with development. This paper builds on guidance from Participants at the first meeting of IDA18 replenishment. Second section provides a brief description of the progress-to-date. Third section describes the way forward. Fourth section provides conclusions and lays out the issues for discussion. IDA support is creating opportunities to address climate and disaster risks across sectors. In sum, in IDA18, IDA will continue to foster climate and disaster resilient development, engage the private sector, and promote benefits from low-emissions development pathways. Climate change and disasters continue to be paramount concerns for IDA countries. IDA18 will be a critical vehicle to finance and implement the WBG’s recent Climate Change Action Plan will help to scale up efforts on climate-smart cities, climate-smart land use (including agriculture and water management), and energy efficiency and access, and help to mobilize resources and catalyze partnerships. Finally, IDA18 will continue to deepen the mainstreaming of climate and disaster resilience into development, help to better engage the private sector, and promote benefits from low-emissions development pathways.
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The objective of this transport component of the broader Africa Climate Business Plan (ACBP) is to begin to mainstream climate benefits into the World Bank’s transport program for Sub-Saharan Africa, the better to assist African countries in bringing their climate change efforts to scale.
... See More + It is a first step towards mainstreaming responses to the climate challenge into transport programs in Africa, and it represents the first time the Transport & ICT GP has produced a work plan for its investment and technical assistance operations that takes into account the content of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and attempts to align World Bank support to the goals stated therein. The transport work plan under this Africa Climate Business Plan will consist of up to $3.2 billion in investments and technical assistance over the 2016-2020 period – including $2.8 billion in World Bank funds. Those investments will help to make progress on two strategic objectives: (1) improving the resilience of African transport infrastructure to climate change by defining four pillars of resilient transport; and (2) improving the carbon-efficiency of transport systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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The development objective of the Desk-top Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for an Eskom Pilot Carbon Capture Project for South Africa is to advance the work that already has been carried out in South Africa in identifying carbon capture storage sites from the current theoretical storage, including associated capacity building and regulatory requirements for the test injection.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (1) the associated infrastructure applied for during the environmental impact assessment (EIA) included all associated infrastructure such as a water treatment works, a wastewater treatment works, access roads, railway line, water supply pipelines, a coal stockyard, an ash disposal facility, a coal and ash conveyor system, and water storage facilities; (2) independent environmental control officers (ECOs) are appointed as per the environmental assessment (EA) conditions and their key role is to ensure project compliance to authorizations through site inspections, audits, review of method statements, etc. and reporting of compliance reports to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA); and (3) compliance to the various environmental approvals is a key to Kusile hence various methodologies to ensure compliance are implemented.
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Low-cost energy and other natural resources have played a key role in driving the Vietnamese economy over the past decades. Under the low-carbon development (LCD) scenario, Vietnam can achieve its Vietnam green growth strategy (VGGS) targets.
... See More + The analysis demonstrates the feasibility of achieving a cumulative 845 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions by 2030. The report finds that the VGGS sets ambitious but achievable targets for emissions reductions but will require early actions and significant policy commitment, design, and implementation across key sectors. Switching to a low-carbon investment strategy is cost-effective but requires significant initial investment. Implementing the LCD scenario will significantly lower capital and fuel expenditures in the electricity sector, relative to the business as usual (BAU) scenario. The combined energy-efficiency and clean-technology impacts of the LCD scenario will reduce the cost of imported fuels by 2.5 billion dollars in 2030, or a cumulative 7.9 billion dollars over 2015-30. Increasing the use of public transportation and electric bicycles (e-bikes) is fundamental to Vietnam’s sustainable mobility and economic growth, given the country’s high population density and the structure of its cities.
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In Romania, as well as in many other East European countries, transport sector Green House Gas (GHG) emissions are increasing fast and their growth is expected to continue into the future, accompanying the on-going economic convergence with the European Union (EU).
... See More + The objective of the analysis was to assess the impact of green policies and investments on transport emissions. For this purpose, the Romania Transport Strategic Emission Prediction Tool (TRANSEPT) was developed. The outcome of the analysis is a set of proposed green measures, their cost (investment and operational), and their abatement potential. The findings show that Green interventions in Romania lead to a significant reduction of GHG emissions growth as compared with the Baseline and to a gradual decoupling of transport sector emissions growth from economic growth, thus achieving the goal of transport sector mitigation. The main modeling outcomes include abatement potential, cost, and the cost effectiveness (cost per unit of abatement) of the selected green interventions for the period 2015-2050. Financing needs for the recommended measures in transport rise sharply between the Green and the Super Green scenarios, but still remain modest, as incremental investments within a large sector. As the last step of the analysis, a Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) provided a framework to present the outcomes of the transport sector analysis in a form useful for policy discussions. As Romania’s motorization rate converges with that of the EU, transport emissions are expected to grow even if green measures in the sector are implemented. To conclude, the proposed mitigation action plan recommends a set of actions on the basis of the estimates made in this assessment where institutional arrangement and coordination are also critical.
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The Government of Romania (GoR), with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and the technical assistance of the World Bank, has implemented a program on climate change which aims to develop and operationalize a comprehensive National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy for 2016-2030 and the associated Action Plan on Climate Change for 2016-2020.
... See More + Complementary to the new Strategy for 2016-2030, the Action Plan aims to assist the government in identifying and programming specific climate change adaptation and mitigation actions during the period 2016-2020 in order to operationalize and implement the Strategy. The Action Plan outlines key actions for each strategic objective within the sectors identified by the Strategy. 2016-2020 National Action Plan on Climate Change. The preparation of the Action Plan has been based onthe following key principles and processes that ensure its relevance and inclusiveness: (i) climate change relevance and compatibility with international objectives and targets; (ii) a participatory process; (iii) a close link to the 2016-2030 climate change and low carbon green growth strategy; (iv) prioritization of actions; (v) clearly defining responsibilities; (vi) flexibility; and (vii) monitoring and reporting. The Action Plan was divided into two parts addressing mitigation and adaptation. The first part outlines actions that mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emi-ssions, while the second part lists actions that support adaptation to climate change. The Action Plan includes state-funded adaptation actions mandated by the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in order to counteract the potentially negative impact that climate change might have for the Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) sector. The Action Plan promotes actions that support holistic infrastructure and urban planning in order to better integrate climate change considerations in the design and contents of the plans. The Plan also considers actions aimed at increasing the use of insurance against industrial losses due to climate events, include the development of climate change insurance solutions and the creation of climate risk insurance funds in the industry. Adaptation actions aim at assuring that biodiversity will have the capacity to cope with the impacts of climate change. To conclude, it is therefore recommended that the Action Plan is assessed at regular intervals in the future in order to identify possible gaps not only in individual sectors but also horizontally across sectors. Such regular updates would ensure that the Action Plan makes an even more important contribution to the implementation of the Strategy.
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The objective of this transport component of the broader Africa Climate Business Plan (ACBP) is to begin to mainstream climate benefits into the World Bank’s transport program for Sub-Saharan Africa, the better to assist African countries in bringing their climate change efforts to scale.
... See More + It is a first step towards mainstreaming responses to the climate challenge into transport programs in Africa, and it represents the first time the Transport & ICT GP has produced a work plan for its investment and technical assistance operations that takes into account the content of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and attempts to align World Bank support to the goals stated therein. The transport work plan under this Africa Climate Business Plan will consist of up to $3.2 billion in investments and technical assistance over the 2016-2020 period – including $2.8 billion in World Bank funds. Those investments will help to make progress on two strategic objectives: (1) improving the resilience of African transport infrastructure to climate change by defining four pillars of resilient transport; and (2) improving the carbon-efficiency of transport systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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A proposal was submitted to extend the term of the carbon fund of the forest carbon partnership facility (FCPF) from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2025, in order to enable the carbon fund to meet one of its main objectives of piloting performance-based payments for emission reductions from reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD ) activities.
... See More + The Executive Directors approved the establishment of the facility on September 25, 2007 as recorded in the minutes of meeting of the Executive Directors of the Bank and International Development Association (IDA). The facility consists of two funds, the readiness fund and the carbon fund. The carbon fund participants unanimously agreed to an extension of the term of the carbon fund to December 31, 2025 by resolution CFM/12/2015/1 dated April 30, 2015, subject to approval by the Board of Executive Directors. The carbon fund builds on the technical assistance provided under the readiness fund and is designed to pilot performance-based payments for emissions reductions from REDD . The carbon fund became fully operational in May 2011. In order to effectively pilot performance-based payments the current intention is that the emission reductions payment agreement (ERPAs) will be for at least five year terms, with an additional year for final verification and payment.
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This assessment presents a synthesis of analysis to contribute to the definition of a lower carbon and greener growth path for Romania to 2050.
... See More + The objective of Romania’s green growth path is to implement mitigation actions and undertake needed adaptation while preserving growth and employment. Romania has maintained a steady growth in output while containing the growth of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. From now to 2050, real incomes in Romania are expected to continue to grow, and its carbon emissions are expected to continue declining. Romania can meet the targets of the green scenario with only modest costs to growth and employment, European Union (EU) emissions trading for energy-intensive sectors sets a uniform price for GHG allowances, which generates an efficient allocation across countries of mitigation actions in those sectors. The difficulty of meeting the tighter targets for mitigation set out in the green and super green scenarios will be eased significantly by improvements in energy efficiency. Proactive measures to promote smart urban development in Bucharest and other urban areas, including more compact city design, transport-oriented development that changes modal-split, upgrades to a more efficient vehicle stock, and policies promoting building efficiency upgrades, can deliver sizable reductions in annual energy spending and emission levels.
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In support of the Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Program of Romania (LCGGP), the World Bank has prepared the current report with the aim of helping the Romanian Government to operationalize the strategic path chosen by the country for implementing its National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-20302 (NSCC) and the associated 2016-2020 Action Plan for Climate Change (APCC).
... See More + This includes some relevant institutional arrangements and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) activities for existing Climate Change (CC) related policies and measures, notably those derived from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, plus the requirements for European Union (EU) Member States regarding the monitoring and evaluation of the EU-level climate and energy package and the Europe 2020 goals for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It was recommended that the Romanian government should build upon current obligations for M&E of public policies, whilst recognizing that the M&E system initially established for the NSCC and APCC for Romania must not be considered as static, but rather as an on-going continuum that will evolve, expand and improve over time. The report highlights some key weaknesses in institutional capacity for CC-related M&E and identifies several sector-specific examples of areas for improvement. The report usefully reviews international good practices for the M&E of CC strategies and action plans under the headings of General good practice; Green Growth good practices; Special considerations for CC adaptation (including the selection of indicators), and; European examples (including short case studies on relevant M&E practices from Germany and France). In order to facilitate the necessary learning processes for policy-makers and other key stakeholders it is recommended that the Romanian government adopts a “theory-based” approach (in conjunction with the OECD DAC criteria) as the evaluation framework for the NSCC and APCC. The theory-based approach follows an iterative process of design, evaluation, and redesign based on lessons learned about whether specific interventions are successful or not, why they succeeded or failed and how they can be improved. The report concludes with numerous additional practical recommendations for development of a simple, affordable and cost effective M&E system for the NSCC and APCC. These recommendations are grouped into four categories: (i) general recommendations; (ii) recommendations for improving institutional arrangements; (iii) recommendations for developing a solid evaluation framework; and (iv) recommendations for reporting. Finally, to ensure a robust framework, the M&E and Reporting system should clearly define goals, indicators, responsibilities and communication strategies. It should facilitate continuous learning by policy-makers and other key stakeholders in order to underpin the long-term development of the knowledge and understanding needed to better design, implement and deliver future CC strategies and action plans for Romania.
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This report is a product of the World Bank’s Romania Climate Change Reimbursable Advisory Service (RAS) project, at the request of the Government of Romania, through its Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MEWF).Romania has deep experience monitoring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as systems and processes that provide the foundation for monitoring and evaluating (M&E) public policies to address climate change.
... See More + However, knowledge of overall MRV requirements is not uniform throughout affected institutions; new regulations emerge; identifying options to encourage collaboration and support among national authorities and local governments is key to realizing GHG reduction potential, but still untapped; and while national organizations and institutions have the potential to inform policy development, research and education on climate change and adaptation are at an early stage in Romania.The objective of MRV programs is to provide complete information on emissions inventories, adaptation and mitigation actions, and capacity building. Romania’s approach to MRV of strategic climate change objectives is expected to expand upon and integrate the required MRV efforts for GHG mitigation and climate change adaptation at the European Union (EU) and international treaty level, such as through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. The European Commission has established new MRV regulations for maritime emissions. Romania must prepare to implement the regulation, which requires maritime shipping companies using EU ports to report their Carbondioxide (CO2) emissions and other relevant data beginning in 2019 for 2018 emissions. Romania’s cities are increasingly taking action to combat climate change, and the national government can help drive mitigation and adaptation initiatives at the community-level. Local governments should be encouraged to boost their activities through national support and assisted with integrating community initiatives with national-level policies. Research, scientific observation (of natural processes), data collection and technical knowledge, as well as new technological development and innovation, can better support informed and responsible decision-making regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation. At the same time, institutions involved in relevant research and observation of natural processes do exist, and their efforts can be augmented. Increased coordination, information exchange and training will help ensure that a critical mass of scientists and professionals have integrated CC&A topics into their activities and are effectively sharing their results. Stakeholder engagement provides opportunities to facilitate support and buy-in of government policies within the business community, civil society, and community groups, among others. Improving the general public’s awareness and understanding of climate change delivers dividends when communicating public policy. Finally, there are several options to improve reporting on Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) and education and awareness in National Communications, which would involve additional training for staff within MEWF, and potentially deeper involvement of the National Commission on Climate Change.
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The World Bank’s partnership for market readiness (PMR) brings together developed and developing countries to build readiness for carbon market instruments to support cost-effective greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
... See More + As part of the PMR’s technical work program, the World Bank asked vivid economics to develop a technical note on the issue of carbon leakage and competitiveness. This issue is of interest to a range of PMR countries and is of great importance to successful design and implementation of carbon pricing policies. The purpose of this report is to draw lessons from policy-making experience and academic evidence to provide guidance to countries on how to address issues of leakage as they arise in their national contexts. Policy makers have developed a range of approaches to addressing these concerns, in light of their particular economic and social circumstances. Despite the variety that has arisen in response to these contextual factors, there is scope to learn from past policy-making experience and academic evidence in the future implementation of similar measures. This report is structured into following sections: section one gives introduction; section two introduces the concept of carbon leakage and explains how it relates to the context of developing and harmonizing carbon pricing policies; section three examines the theory and evidence of carbon leakage; section four explores how to determine which firms and sectors are at risk of carbon leakage and how to target leakage prevention measures; section five discusses the different policy options available to address carbon leakage; and section six discusses stakeholder engagement on carbon leakage.
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Working Paper (Numbered Series) 100369 OCT 01, 2015
The development objective of the Oromia Forested Landscape Carbon Finance Project for Ethiopia is to improve the enabling environment for sustainable forest management and investment in the regional state of Oromia.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (1) cash compensation for affected land equivalent to replacement value; (2) land for land replacement where feasible, or compensation in cash for the entire landholding according to project affected persons (PAP’s) choice; (3) cash compensation for affected land; (4) cash compensation equivalent to 10 percent of lease and rental fee for the remaining period of rental and lease agreement (written or verbal); (5) disturbance compensation equivalent to two months rental costs; (6) cash compensation equivalent to ten times the average annual income s/he secured during the five years preceding the expropriation of the land; and (7) cash compensation based on type, age, and productive value of affected trees plus 10 percent premium.
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The case for climate action has never been stronger. Current weather extremes, including storms, floods and drought, affect millions of people across the world.
... See More + Climate change is putting water security at risk; threatening agricultural and other supply chains as well as many coastal cities. The likelihood of severe pervasive and irreversible impacts will grow without action to limit and reverse the growth of GHG emissions globally. Last year’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report makes clear the overwhelming need to take action now on climate change and that the costs of inaction will only rise. The challenge is to decarbonize our economies by 2100 with action in the next decades being critical. The choices made by government, the private sector, and civil society as part of the transition to a decarbonized economy will determine the extent of future climate impacts but also provide an opportunity to unlock investment and build an innovative, dynamic low-carbon economy.
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