Two Sides of the Same Coin? A Preliminary Analysis of Sustainable Development Opportunities Identified in National Communications of Non-Annex I Parties

The aim of this paper is to study the extent to which non-Annex I countries are implementing or exploring select actions that support both climate change mitigation and sustainable development objectives in the energy sector. The research is based on a survey of the national communications of 100 non-Annex I Parties to the UNFCCC. Although national communications are intended to provide information on national programs and measures implemented or planned which contribute to mitigating climate change, it is important to note that these communications do not always capture all relevant efforts and initiatives. In recognition of this limitation, it is concluded that most sustainable development practices that also support climate change mitigation assessed here are neither implemented nor considered to any great extent in the developing world, despite their high technical and economic feasibility and their potential to achieve significant sustainable development benefits in these countries. Furthermore, of the actions assessed in this study, measures to improve transport infrastructure and management, CHP and biomass to electricity applications, currently represent the greatest opportunities for sustainable development that addresses climate change mitigation, in the developing world. It is concluded that these three opportunities for sustainable development are technically and economically feasible, yet are neither implemented nor considered in up to 72%, 50% and 30-50% of the developing world, respectively. As a first exploratory investigation into the potential of select sustainable development actions that support climate change mitigation in the developing world, it is recommended that follow up research investigate the factors and mechanisms preventing these opportunities from reaching their full potential. Such an inquiry is critical, as measures that support both sustainable development and climate change mitigation may well represent the only type of measures that would stand a chance of being adopted on a large enough scale to achieve significant emissions reductions and limitations globally.