Co-benefits Approach
Co-benefits Approach to Climate Change and CDM
The co-benefits approach to climate change and CDM means integrated efforts to address climate change concerns, while meeting development needs in developing countries. The co-benefits approach helps developing countries increase their ownership while engaging in efforts to address climate change, by introducing measures to achieve tangible development benefits. It is also considered to be a practical approach for developed countries to cooperate with developing countries, where economic and social development is a priority at the national and local levels.
Duplicating Areas of Action for Development and Climate Change
International Concerns / Global Benefit
Process of Co-benefits Approach to Climate Change
The co-benefits approach focuses on duplicating areas of actions, through which development needs of society are met, and climate change concerns are addressed simultaneously.
Japan 's Good Practices in Development Assistance
The Metro Manila Transport Project by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) helped the Manila capital region increase the mobility of passengers and raise logistics efficiency, while decreasing transport induced air pollution substances such as SOX (3.0%), NOX (0.6%), SPM (1.7%) and CO2 (4.2%)
The Project by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) & JBIC aimed to prevent pollution at several industrial plants in Guiyang. SO2 (80.54% / 163,500 t), PM (66.37% / 57,080 t), as well as CO2 emissions (1,067,400 t) were reduced by the project.
| Development Objectives/Needs | Examples of Assistance Project | Concrete Developmental Benefits | Key Actions in Achieving Co-benefits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Demand |  |
Construction of Power Plants | |
Increased Energy Supply | |
EE, RE, and Turbine with Higher Capacity |
| Economic Infrastructure (Energy Source, Transport) | |
Mass Transit Development | |
Increased Mobility of Passengers and Products & Economic Competitiveness of Economic Zones | |
Modal Shift (Transport Mode Change) |
| Environmental Protection | |
Upgrading Waste Process & Production Facilities | |
Increased Waste Processing Capacity Reduction of Air Pollution Substances(e.g. SO2) | |
Avoiding LFG, Cleaner Production |
| Advanced Industrial Production | |
Upgrading Production Facilities | |
Higher Productivity & Economic Competitiveness | |
Demand-side EE |
| Agriculture & Rural Development | |
Introducing Farm Machinery | |
Higher Production Capacity and Income | |
Utilizing Biomass Residue |
| Poverty Eradication | |
Rural Electrification | |
Higher Living Standards, Enhanced Economic Activities | |
RE, and Fuel Switch from Non-renewable Biomass |
Concrete Actions for Development Needs-oriented Efforts to Address Climate Change and CDM
Identifying Development Needs related to Climate Change
- To identify areas of action for the co-benefits approach, countries' development goals and policies are vital reference materials. Policy documents prepared by donors (e.g. Japan's ODA Charter and Mid-term Policy) may also provide useful information.
Strengthening Cooperation Schemes on Climate Change
- Cooperation schemes on climate change and CDM including capacity-building should be strengthened in order to promote the co-benefits of development and climate change.
Strengthening Cooperation Schemes on Development Assistance, and Policy Tools for Climate Change
- ODA's policy and financial schemes or guidelines for environmental and social considerations are also expected to be strengthened in order to promote the co-benefits of addressing climate change and development needs.
Partnership between Development Assistance and Cooperation in Climate Change
- In conducting development assistance, targeted activities should also take into account climate change aspects. Capacity-building to create an enabling environment and hybrid use of ODA and CDM for development assistance may be developed.
Good Practice Guidelines for the Co-benefits Approach
- Good practice guidelines will be developed to make it easier to take action for co-benefits. Also, to help private-sector organizations participate in such activities, standards or frameworks for co-benefits may be developed. In case of CDM, ways of using existing baseline and monitoring methodologies should be explored.
Developing Quantitative and/or Qualitative Evaluation Methods
- It is recommended to develop quantitative and/or qualitative methods to evaluate co-benefits achieved through efforts on climate change and CDM activities.