“This is one of the most important climate discussions in
Warsaw. Your successful financial innovations for adaptation and mitigation
should inspire climate change finance. Do not keep this knowledge and practice
in this room - share and inspire,” said Christiana Figueres, Chief Executive of
the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
She was speaking at the Momentum for Change (MFC) event on Financing Climate-Friendly Investments at
the UNFCCC’s COP19 in Warsaw, encouraging winners to share their success to
help raise ambition and scale up the global commitment to act on climate
change.
There is a need to shift development onto a more sustainable pathway
without affecting the economy. Governments can be helped to leverage private
sector investments towards climate friendly development using strategically targeted
public funds and policies. Each of us can play a role in turning practical
ideas into action on the ground. It is exciting and inspiring to see what has
already been done by different actors across various sectors and countries.
These are already demonstrating concrete results, from carbon markets to
Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
The winning Lighthouse Activities for the MFC Finance Pillar
2013 are selected as shining examples of climate action across the globe,
combining innovation and passion. The winners showcased their projects and experiences promoting
low-carbon growth and highly climate resilient communities through the use of
innovative financing mechanisms.
Experiences ranged from supporting low-carbon growth in China
to financing sustainable housing in Mexico. Within the mandatory carbon markets
framework, the Director General of China CDM Fund (CCDMF) explained how through
investments they provide funds to enterprises, mobilize significant market
capital, and achieve verified emission reduction effects with direct reduction
of over 7 million tons of CO2 equivalent. CCDMF represent a good experience to
help address the enormous climate financing gap and support ambitious climate
actions in China. While from the voluntary carbon markets a successful project
example was reported by Carbon Clear, that showcased their Low Smoke Stoves project in Sudan. The project has already 5,000
stoves in use in El Fasher. It has multiple benefits such as improved access
to modern energy, reduced indoor air pollution, strengthened local delivery infrastructure
and reduced regional deforestation.
Another interesting example was
the Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF) Program, a unique multi-benefits
model in the Philippines
leveraging private sector investment in sustainable energy projects, reducing greenhouse
emissions, improving energy security and strengthening economic development.
Looking at multi-regional programs specifically targeting
agriculture systems and farmers, a great example came from Redava with its Rental
Solar Farms System Project. This project does not impose big up-front
investment costs and long term obligations to farmers to get solar panels, but
allows farmers to rent them with a 35% cost savings compared to diesel power. A
cost-effective, convenient and clean solution that means a decrease of diesel
consumption, improved access to electricity and a reduction of emissions.
Last but not least, IFAD’s Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture
Programme (ASAP) was showcased as a unique example tacking climate adaptation
and channeling climate finance to smallholder farmers in accessing the tools
and technologies to build their resilience to climate change. Elwyn-Grainger
Jones presented how ASAP empowers community-based organizations to make use of
new climate risk management skills, information and technologies and combine
them with tried and tested approaches to sustainable land and water management.
He referred to the work ASAP in doing in Yemen, with improved weather station
networks providing farmers with more reliable seasonal forecasts while mapping technologies
help to better understand and monitor landscape use in a changing environment.
