Browsing by Author "den Elzen, Michel"

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    Methods for quantifying the benefits of sustainable development policies and measures (SD-PAMs)
    (Taylor & Francis, 2008) Winkler, Harald; Höhne, Niklas; den Elzen, Michel
    How can the concept of sustainable development policies and measures (SD-PAMs) be operationalized in a multilateral climate regime? The strategic approach is to focus on policies and measures that are firmly within the national sustainable development priorities of developing countries but which, through the inclusion in an international climate framework, recognize, promote and support means of meeting these policy priorities on a lower-carbon trajectory. The concept of SD-PAMs is further elaborated in two ways: (1) possible methods for quantifying SD-PAMs and (2) policy design. An important step in operationalizing the concept of SD-PAMs is the examination of available methods to quantify their benefits. Four ways to quantify the effect of SD-PAMs on development and emissions are identified: (1) case studies, (2) national energy modelling, (3) analysis of sectoral data and (4) inclusion of policies in global emission allocation models. Each of the methodological approaches has its strengths and weaknesses, but these approaches are demonstrated as being capable of quantifying the effect of SD-PAMs on development and emissions. Formalizing the commitment of SD-PAMs could be aided by more fully elaborating these methodologies. Formal recognition could be given either by listing countries in an Annex to the Convention or by including the pledged policies in a dedicated register. Regular reporting on the sustainable development and climate benefits of SD-PAMs could take place through national communications or a separate reporting mechanism. Incentives for SD-PAMs could come from both climate and non-climate funding. Development funding through other agencies could also be mobilized. International finance will be critical, as will the mobilization of domestic investment.
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    Quantifying SD-PAMs: National energy models and international allocation models for climate change mitigation: South African case study. Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town.
    (2008) Winkler, Harald; Marquard, Andrew; Manley, Jonathan; Davis, Stephen; Trikam, Ajay; den Elzen, Michel; Höhne, Niklas; Witi, Jongikhaya
    Sustainable development policies and measures (SD-PAMs) are an approach to stimulating action on climate change mitigation in developing countries. Instead of starting from explicit climate targets, the approach deliberately sets out to start from development objectives. This strategic approach taps into the primary motivation for developing countries, namely development. Defining more sustainable pathways to meet given development objectives has significant climate co-benefits. These co-benefits are by now broadly accepted (IPCC 2007, 2001b; Robinson et al. 2006; Winkler et al. 2006; Szklo et al. 2005; Munasinghe & Swart 2005; Baumert & Winkler 2005; Bradley et al. 2005; IISD 2005), the question is how to capture these benefits in the multi-lateral climate regime. A new strategic approach is needed, and SD-PAMs offers one possible approach. This approach provides a means to identify ‘nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing country Parties in the context of sustainable development, supported and enabled by technology, financing and capacity-building, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner’ (UNFCCC 2007). Sustainable development is part of core balance between sub-paragraphs 1b(i) and 1b(ii), in that mitigation actions by developing countries are qualified as being ‘in the context of sustainable development’.