Sam Bickersteth, CEO of CDKN, at SEI Oxford seminar 29th of September 2015

Climate and Development Knowledge Network | www.cdkn.org 1

Climate & Development Knowledge Network: Supporting Decision Makers SEI Oxford – September 2015


CDKN approach CDKN supports decision-

makers in government,

the private and non-

governmental sectors to

design and deliver climate

compatible development.

We do this by combining

research, advisory services

and knowledge-sharing in

support of locally-owned

and managed policy

processes.


What progress with climate compatible development?


There is a 95% certainty that

climate change is caused by

human beings Source: IPCC AR 5 key findings

Each of the last three decades has been successively

warmer at the Earth’s

surface than any preceding decade

Source: IPCC AR 5 key findings

Changes in climate will affect societies and

economies in multiple ways, directly and indirectly, through

health, food systems, water supplies and

ecosystems Source: Turn Down the Heat, Why a 4°C Warmer World Must be Avoided, World

Bank 2012

credit Neil Palmer/CIAT

What is the challenge?

Sustainable Development

Goals 2015


UNEP Emissions Gap Report (2014)


Source: The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report

Impacts of climate change in Africa


SDG - Climate Referenced Targets


SDG - Climate Related Targets


Sustainable Development Goals


Business has the greatest impact

Business sees the greatest opportunity

Citizens prioritise the importance

Top

Business Views : PwC SDG Engagement Survey 2015


COP21 summit in Paris

A binding agreement is not the main driver for climate change action


Model indicates low-ambition agreement is projected to result in 80% – 140% higher poverty levels for Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and 25% higher poverty levels for LAC than the high-ambition agreement by 2030

CDKN Research on impact of climate change on achievement of SDGs

• In Uganda goal of extreme poverty eradication is met in neither case

• Water deficit/flooding, likely to be exacerbated by climate change

• High ambition agreement develops modern energy sector and phases out dependence on traditional biomass


SDGs: Risk of failure in Paris


Incentivise international cooperation and

leverage public and private finance for

climate action

Reducing fossil fuel dependency

Reducing resource intensity and higher

resource efficiency

Relatively rapid technology development

High level of awareness regarding

environmental degradation

Renewables becoming more attractive

Yield-enhancing technologies for land

Investments in education

High-ambition climate agreement

Unmitigated emissions are relatively high

Little progress in reducing resource intensity and

fossil fuel dependency

Low investment in technology development

Little progress in addressing local

environmental concerns

Investments in human capital are low and

inequality is high.

Lack of cooperation and effective leadership

Little international cooperation, and international

trade is restricted

Low-ambition climate agreement

Possible policy responses to Paris agreement


Knowledge Management and Networks

•Broad definition of Knowledge Management: online, offline,

text, multimedia, broadcast, bespoke communications all figure

•Demand-led: guided by country and stakeholder engagement

• Smart: recognising complexity of change processes

• Collaborative: building on what’s there, not duplicating

• Results-focused learning: listening, reflecting, adapting


Sustainable Urban Tourism through Low Carbon Initiatives

Hue, Vietnam

Addressing Heat Health Vulnerability in Rapidly Urbanising Regions of Western India

Ahmedabad, India

Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into City Planning

Cartagena, Colombia

Operationalising Climate Science: an Exchange Between Climate Scientists and Policy Makers

Africa

Stories of change


Creating a variety of materials:

• Guides, policy briefs, videos etc

Making materials accessible:

• easy to read – whoever they are for

• colourful and inviting

Organising materials well:

• easy to find - improved search

functionality on website

• intuitive navigation

Communications strategy: the ‘pull factor’


Going where the audience is:

• online comms: digital press

office function

• developing partnerships with

other knowledge portals

• using partner facilities,

networks (eg CKB, LEDS GP)

• seeking a legacy in university

networks

Communications strategy: the ‘push factor’


• Thought leadership and

sharing learning on our

experiences, synthesising

knowledge

•Convening partners

regionally and globally to

share their experiences and

make connections

• Giving a platform for the

voices of developing country

decision-makers

Events – the ‘enabling’ factor


•Encouraging collaboration through

Climate Knowledge Brokers’ Group

(100+members)

•Joint products like the Knowledge

Navigator widget (right) and ‘climate

compatible development’ online

thesaurus and tagging system to link

content of related websites

•Launch of CKB ‘Manifesto’ with

principles for collaboration

Making links among online climate and development ‘knowledge brokers’


• Peru’s national climate change mitigation plan

• Objective to provide robust data for decision making and building consensus on strategies to transition to low carbon, climate-resilient economy

• Involving 100 national and regional researchers, modellers, private sector, communications experts and others

• Carefully constructed governance and participatory process that facilitated interaction between a team of experts with representatives of the public and private sector.


PlanCC Methodology

• Based on a cross-ministerial and participatory approach setting the foundations for a real impact on sustainable development decision-making at the national level.

• The multiple structure allowed for the review of a large array of data and analysis that were used to generate different future scenarios for Peru’s climate compatible development.


PlanCC Results inform INDC

• A set of mitigation scenarios up to 2021 and 2050.

• Positive and negative effects of mitigation measures on GDP, productivity, employment and competitiveness (including exports), distribution of income, reduction of poverty, health and the environment.

• 73 sector mitigation options; 11 included in INDC

• High level political engagement (Ministry of Economy and Finance)

• INDC presented at UNGA – 30% emissions reduction

• Critical mix of analysis, stakeholder engagement, political leadership and communications


•Focus on the development deficit and integrate climate action into

development/SDG planning and delivery

•Integrate knowledge management and networking in all programmes and

projects; resource it generously

•Refine and strengthen message through a systematic learning process; match

communication with audience and context

•Build ownership and governance of knowledge building processes throughout

•Finally, don’t forget the finance! – international and domestic; public and

private

Lessons from applied policy research and practice

This document is an output from a project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for

the benefit of developing countries. However, the views expressed and information contained in it are not

necessarily those of or endorsed by DFID, which can accept no responsibility for such views or information or for

any reliance placed on them. This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only,

and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication

without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the

accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, the

Climate and Development Knowledge Network’s members, the UK Department for International Development

(‘DFID’), their advisors and the authors and distributors of this publication do not accept or assume any liability,

responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on

the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.

Copyright © 2010, Climate and Development Knowledge Network. All rights reserved.

www.cdkn.org

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Sam Bickersteth, CEO of CDKN, at SEI Oxford seminar 29th of September 2015