Low emission development in Europe and CIS

The challenge

Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) includes some of the most carbon intensive economies in the world. According to World Bank data, the region accounts for 12 percent of global green house gas emissions and 10 percent of the world’s energy demand, but only five percent of the world gross domestic product (GDP). It remains the most energy-inefficient region both in consumption and production of energy. The demand for energy is expected to rise in the period up to 2030, with fossil fuels expected to remain the most dominant source of energy.

Where to go from here?

In this context, it is obvious that a transition to low-emission economies cannot be achieved through isolated efforts but only through concerted efforts at the national and regional level. UNDP supports countries to formulate and implement low-emission development strategies, and to access financing. This is all the more important since countries in the region are facing economic and political challenges which affect their capacity to participate in global climate negotiations.

Why UNDP – our climate change track record so far

UNDP has a track record of successful climate change initiatives in the region, including:

Support to Kyoto Protocol implementation

• Supporting the establishment of designated national authorities in Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan;
• Building capacities for joint implementation Secretariats in Belarus and Ukraine;
• Building capacities of Serbia and FYR Macedonia to implement clean development mechanism (CDM) projects;

Support to the development of national communications, a requirement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
 

Promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport - in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with a portfolio totaling $146 million.
 

Getting started on low emission strategies

• Given the lack of specific, operational guidance at the regional level for countries that want to start this process, the first step for UNDP has been to develop guidelines on how to develop low emission strategies and nationally appropriate mitigation action plans in Russian and English languages.
• In the beginning of 2011 the first low-carbon development concept in the region was prepared in collaboration with the Government of Kazakhstan, to be followed by development of a low-carbon development plan for the country’s energy sector.
• Although Moldova is a developing country, it adopted a voluntary target in line with other developed countries. That’s why UNDP supported the Government to develop a comprehensive low-carbon development strategy in 2010, currently being finalized by the Government. 
• UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in Turkey are partnering in development of nationally appropriate mitigation action plans for environmental management, nature protection and forestry, as part of Developing Turkey’s National Climate Change Action Plan.
• A new national project in supporting Uzbekistan transition to a low-emission development path was initiated recently, consisting of support in development of a low emission development strategy and support for clean development mechanism project implementation. With support from the MDG Carbon Facility, one clean development mechanism (CDM) project in Uzbekistan has been registered under the UNFCCC.
• A ministerial dialogue in Turkmenistan in 2011 led to development of a national climate change strategy. The strategy covers both low-emission and climate resilient development. After its endorsement by the Government, a detailed action plan has been initiated.