National Climate Policy Design & Implementation: Comparative Lessons

& Considerations

John Costenbader, Climate Focus

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

17 July 2013

Overview

• Introduction / Motivation

• Role of National Framework Climate Policy

• Comparative Perspectives – Brazil

– South Africa

– Australia

– Mexico

• Lessons for Success

• Framework climate policy = blueprint for climate action

• Cohesive clear outline for national climate work – *KISS* – Guiding vision & catalyst for

country – Manage expectations while

keeping country on task

• Integrates low-emissions development goals into powerful driving forces in country (business case)

What is a national climate policy:

• Cannot substitute:

– Brainstorming (green & white papers)

– ‘How-to’ planning (action plans, strategies)

– Detailed sectoral policies (REDD, adaptation, MRV)

– Law (legislation & regulations)

… & what is not:

• Identifies & prioritizes impacts, responses, goals • Promotes balance in competing needs:

– Mitigation vs. adaptation – Different sectors – Environment vs. economic growth/poverty alleviation

• Transparent participation helps ensure national ownership – But need for common understanding: ‘enemy of good is perfect’

• “Less is More” – including too much can mean: – Confusion, conflict in goals, priorities… & low implementation – Stakeholders excluded as few understand; less inter-sectoral

integration – Frequent need for general policy revision

Role of National Framework Climate Policy

General Climate Policy Process Roadmap

ID Issues Expert Inputs Green Paper Public

Comment

White Paper

Public Comment

Climate Policy Action Plan(s)

Public Comment

Legislation Regulations Monitor,

Review, Adapt

National climate policy as common anchor

REDD+

• Timber Harvesting

• Agriculture

Adaptation

• Hazards

• Natural Resource & Ecosystem Resilience

Energy

• Renewables

• Transportation

• LNG

Policy Instruments

• Market-based

• Regulatory

National Policy on Climate Change (2009)

• Sweeping & large (130 pages!)

• Comprehensive multi-stakeholder development

• Mainly focused on energy & forest sectors; overlooks adaptation, water & ecosystems – 2020 deforestation reduction targets for Amazon and Cerrado

– Increases biofuel production, afforestation & hydroelectric generation (overlooking adaptation & water sector impacts)

– Mining & Energy Ministries launched expansion plan w/o coordination w/ CC Policy – conflicts created

• Ongoing policy processes put in place to revise

• Independent review: Sustainable Development Commission

Comparative Perspectives: Brazil

National Climate Change Response Policy (2011)

• Focused heavily on energy & economic aspects

• Extensive public hearings on Green & White Paper versions

• ‘Carbon Budgets’ assess mitigation options costs & benefits

• Proposed range of economic instruments – (incentives, emissions offset or trading mechanisms)

• Relative to 2004 and 2008 policy versions, increased: – Senior leadership ownership

– Water sector, ecosystem & adaptation considerations

– Short, medium & long-term vision (strategies up to 2050)

Comparative Perspectives: South Africa

• Initial voluntary measures ineffective (BAU)

• Later legislation developed without unifying national policy: ad hoc measures, some conflicting – reducing emissions via carbon pricing (energy & land use)

– originally little consideration of water, ecosystems, biodiversity

• 2007 National Climate Change Adaptation Framework – focused on research and planning

• Integration / coordination mechanisms: • Multi-Party Climate Change Committee (2010)

• Select Council on Climate Change (2011)

– Independent review: “state-of-the-environment” reporting

Comparative Perspectives: Australia

National Strategy on Climate Change (2007) & Special Program on Climate Change (2009–2012)

- Numerous policies, but unclear implications on ecosystems & water

- Largely mitigation-focused (biofuels, hydro, forests)

- Strong institutional development: Multi-stakeholder & expert-based

- Lack lower level implementation mechanisms

Comparative Perspectives: Mexico

Common ‘Success Elements’

• Public inputs given valued, meaningful role

• Balancing trade-offs (sectors; mit & adapt) – Targeting integrated, no/low regrets solutions

• Cyclical review processes (built-in flexibility of policy to respond to new understandings)

• Review & accountability mechanisms

• Senior leadership engaged

• Multi-level governance/implementation mechanisms (all ministries & subnational govts)

• Clear national targets to drive action & attract finance

Thank you for listening!

John Costenbader j.costenbader@climatefocus.com