This white paper, Developing a low carbon growth plan, by the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) introduces the concept and methodology for a low carbon growth plan, combining economic development with greenhouse gas mitigation. The focus here is on de-carbonizing development outside of the land use sectors.

Political and business leaders worldwide realize the need for immediate and effective action to respond to climate change. This action may include policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to curtail deforestation or to promote afforestation and other carbon sink policies. Most countries will also face enhanced risks from climate change and must adapt their societies to respond.

At the same time, leaders have an obligation to promote economic development and improve living standards for their constituencies. Achieving the country’s and its peoples’ development goals requires significant funds and binds a large share of government capacity. Climate change mitigation and adaptation compete for scarce resources and thus risk being de-prioritized if viewed as conflicting goals. Countries must therefore find ways of combining their development, mitigation and adaptation goals to achieve climate compatible development

Low carbon growth holds many benefits for developing countries, but may also require difficult trade-offs and adjustments. Because of this, it is critical that the overall strategic approach enjoy broad political support and be robust to challenges and changing priorities during its implementation.

Read Developing a low carbon growth plan.