Charting a new low carbon route to development

Description :

Climate change is a defining challenge of our time. Science tells us that if immediate action is not taken to slow down - and reverse in a few years – the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, changes in our climate could have catastrophic consequences for the entire planet. We also know that the resultant negative effects would hit many of the poorest people in the world more quickly, and will be felt more deeply in many developing countries.Mitigating and adapting to climate change is entirely compatible with pursuing development. Our experience at UNDP, working on these issues over the past two decades, indicates that the right mix of policies, skills, and incentives can influence behaviour and encourage investments in climate-friendly businesses and activities. Thereby, we can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate new economic opportunities and jobs. This calls for fully integrating thinking about climate change into how we go about our development work.Charting a New Low-Carbon Route to Development helps advance this notion, arguing that the full engagement of sub-national authorities is important to move the climate change and development agendas forwar. It suggests that taking the necessary action to tackle climate change will meet with stronger public consensus and be more effective if it helps address local development issues, such as the provision of basic services, greater energy and food security, and employment.This publication addresses options which, when tailored to specific circumstances, could help balance the pursuit of both climate change mitigation and the investments needed to accelerate poverty reduction and development. It also considers how to meet the adaptation needs that many countries will face.It is my hope that Charting a New Low-Carbon Route to Development will contribute to the ongoing discourse about the links between development and climate change, and help provide sub-national authorities with new insights and guidance as they seek to take steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change.