Project reference: RSGL-0019B

This Green Guide will take forward the notion of ’greening’ as a process and not just an outcome. It goes to the heart of development planning by positioning the twinned issues of the green economy and climate change as an opportunity for equitable and inclusive development. By enabling forward movement at the national level on questions such as where to start?, what next? and how to make this work for the poor?, this guide takes a step towards ’climate-proofing’ policy and the mainstreaming of climate compatible development (CCD) in practice.

The guide aims to respond to growing calls for strategic thinking, communications tools and guidance documents which are accessible for generalists, in order to strengthen the understanding of linkages between climate change and development at a very practical level. At its core, it helps its users move from thought to action. Although the guide focuses initially on the Southern African Development Community region, the intention is to develop a tool applicable across the South and which can enhance the benefits of targeted South–South cooperation activities. It is aims to contextualise climate–development co-benefits more broadly, and to give a balanced focus to urban as well as rural issues.

Outputs of the project include: a practical 10-page Green Guide booklet outlining key questions and considerations for socio-environmental and socio-political policy innovation at the national level; a web-based decision support tool expanding on the Green Guide and linking users to up-to-date thinking on pivotal issues, and key actors in research, policy and practice; a policy brief featuring examples of intersecting issues to be considered and potential solutions; a working paper highlighting key social development issues around the Green Economy; and an academic article on the role of social and political innovation mechanisms and tools in achieving and sustaining a green economy transition. Climate Parliament, a UK based NGO, has agreed to help to link the project to other global processes and platforms on Green Growth.

Recent Update:

The first Policy Brief Going Green with Equity was produced in November 2011, and is available online. The Green Guide is due to be completed by the end of September.

Lead: Paul Msoma (SADC Parliamentary Forum); Leisa Perch (International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth, UNDP)

Project Partners: Merylyn Hedger (Independent Consultant); Adeolu Odusote (Independent Consultant); Md Taher (Independent Consultant); Andrew Bilski (Independent Consultant)

CDKN Funding: £120,000

Project Manager: Phil Lewis