A growing number of developing countries are seeking to adopt low carbon development pathways to achieve green growth, reduce their dependency on fossil fuels, and contribute to global efforts on climate change mitigation.

Since 2007 ESMAP has provided support for World Bank engagement in over 10 countries on low carbon development, ranging from long-term economy-wide analytical work to the assessment of implementation options for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions abatement in specific sectors.

This work has generated a wealth of knowledge, experience and tools which can help inform low carbon development planning in other countries, or regions within countries. These are freely provided by ESMAP for the benefit of future or ongoing low carbon studies.

More recently, ESMAP has published Planning for a Low Carbon Future | Lessons Learned from Seven Country Studies,  a practical guide for government officials, practitioners, and development agencies involved in low carbon development planning that draws on the first seven country studies carried out by the World Bank in this area.

Country Studies

The outputs from seven country studies are available below—including full reports and a series of briefing notes. Additional countries will be added once the outputs become available. 

• Brazil
• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Mexico
• Poland
• South Africa

Related Links

Below is a small selection of web resources for those interested in low carbon development planning.

• CCAP: Support to developing countries for reducing emissions.

• Climate Planning: A guide to climate compatible development tools

• Green Growth Knowledge Platform: Global network of researchers and development experts.

• LEDS Global Partnership: coordination, information exchange, and cooperation to advance climate-resilient low emission growth 

• UNDP: Guidance manuals and toolkits.

• World Bank: Climate change knowledge portal.

Publications

• Planning for a Low Carbon Future: Lessons Learned from Seven Country Studies

• An Assessment of Climate Change Vulnerability, Risk, and Adaptation in Albania’s Energy Sector

• Country Energy Sector Vulnerability Assessments Program

• Brazil Low Carbon Country Case Studies

• Low Carbon Country Studies | Getting Started: Experience of Six Countries

• Low Carbon Growth Country Studies Program