#initial:b.

[idsknowledgeservices-blog]

Multilateral and bilateral intermediaries are a crucial part of the climate finance landscape. In general, intermediaries are working hard to improve their monitoring and evaluation (M&E;) systems, but there is significant room for improvement, particularly to ensure that M&E; is applied across the full lifecycle of projects and programmes. This paper examines the M&E; systems applied by a selection of eight multilateral and bilateral intermediaries, as well as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reporting framework. The report argues that a key ingredient for a successful M&E; system is simplicity. It is important to balance the need for rigor and comprehensiveness with the recipient country’s capabilities and related transaction and administrative costs and to focus on information that is genuinely required to understand how well money is being spent and the impact it is having on tackling the global challenge of climate change.

[idsknowledgeservices-blog]

This case study focuses on the knowledge sharing network AfricaAdapt. Knowledge sharing tools and networks relating to climate change adaptation increasingly draw on Web 2.0 functionalities and user generated content. These contribute to a shared evidence base upon which current and future adaptation planning and action can draw. They can help to build a community of practice around adaptation, validate adaptation processes and information, offer users a sense of potential options and outcomes from adaptation actions, based on others' experiences, as well as space to document their own experiences. AfricaAdapt describes its aim being "to facilitate the flow of climate change adaptation knowledge for sustainable livelihoods between researchers, policy makers, civil society organisations and communities who are vulnerable to climate variability and change across the continent".

[idsknowledgeservices-blog]

This new report expands on the preliminary Timberwatch report released in December 2009, and provides greater insight into the commercial and industrial activities of the Norwegian owned company Green Resources Ltd (GRL), and associated issues, in the Mufindi district of Iringa province in southern Tanzania. Findings from this research show major problems with land alienation affecting displaced local communities, poor working conditions, destruction of biodiversity upon which the local communities depend for food, fuel and medicines, reduced water availability, and many other things that can impact negatively on the livelihoods of affected communities.

[idsknowledgeservices-blog]

Although existing estimates of adaptation funding needs in developing countries are still very vague, they all indicate that they are and will be in the tens of billions €/$ per annum. At the same time, many developing countries presently do not have the relevant ‘absorptive capacity’ – the capacity to carry out the adaptation measures needed −even if the funding were available. Most will unnecessarily have to suffer adverse impacts of climate change that could be avoided under an improved adaptation regime. The responsibility for these avoidable adverse impacts – whether due to a lack of funding or of absorptive capacity − will fall squarely on industrialised countries. This paper analyses strategies to raise, manage and spend international financing for adaptation to climate change.

[idsknowledgeservices-blog]

In this paper, CPI assesses the current status of the climate finance landscape, mapping its magnitude and nature along the life cycle of financial flows, i.e. the sources of finance, intermediaries involved in distribution, financial instruments, and final uses. After presenting estimates of current flows based on available data, describing the methodology, and discussing the sources of data, it offers recommendations to improve further data-gathering efforts.

[idsknowledgeservices-blog]

This paper analyses the integration of climate and energy governance in South Africa. It identifies the current drivers and barriers in both sectors, focusing on clean development beyond the Clean Development Mechanism. The conceptual lens of the shadow of hierarchy is applied to analyse the role of both government and business. The paper finds that more coherence and collaboration between actors and their activities presents the key to the transition to a low-carbon economy in South Africa. The shadow of hierarchy only seems to trigger effective governance if the enforcement, content and time-frame for (potential) governmental action is sufficiently clear to all governance actors.

[idsknowledgeservices-blog]

When produced in a sustainable and equitable manner, biofuels can increase Kenya’s energy self sufficiency, support rural development as well as reduce deforestation and GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels. The output of this study is intended to assist the national authorities of Kenya in better planning of the land use and assessment of the land resources and feedstocks suitable for production of biofuels (first generation). The study aimed at determining suitability areas of twelve biofuel feedstocks in Kenya and to identify high value biodiversity areas as well as areas of high socio-cultural values to be recommended for exclusion in biofuel production. The overarching goal of the study is to ensure that, when properly implemented, biofuel development will be economically productive alongside equitable land use, environmental preservation and reliable food production.

[idsknowledgeservices-blog]