PAGE Countries

CONTEXT

Barbados is one of the most prosperous states in the Caribbean region. In recent years, it has successfully transitioned away from an agricultural-based economy and transformed into an increasingly diversified, predominantly service-based economy. The country enjoys high human development and it is considerably invested in further advancing social development and promoting inclusive policies. Nevertheless, the negative effects of recent global financial and economic crises on the country’s economic performance as well as its dependency on imported fossil fuels have exerted significant pressure on both the economy and the environment. The country’s limited natural resources coupled with its vulnerability to climate change as a small island development state (SIDS) underline the importance of building a resilient economy and achieving integrated ecological, economic and social wellbeing.

Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Barbados has made strong policy and institutional commitments to sustainable development, for instance through long and medium-term strategic frameworks, a Social Compact with the private sector and trade unions, and a National Sustainable Development Policy. Its National Strategic Plan (2006-2025) (NSP) provides a framework for Barbados for becoming a fully developed society that is prosperous, socially just and globally competitive. The Plan advances six strategic goals in pursuit of the national vision for 2025. Goal four of the NSP speaks specifically of “Building a Green Economy: Strengthening the Physical Infrastructure and Preserving the Environment”.

Ever since the creation of the NSP, an inclusive green economy (IGE) as a development priority has remained despite changes in administration. Specifically, the current administration has been articulating its commitment to IGE in the context of a “Blue Economy” (defined by the World Bank as the "sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.").

In Barbados, PAGE activities contribute towards the achievement of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships).

Burkina Faso has one of the lowest carbon emissions and the lowest ecological footprint in the Sub-Saharan African region. Real GDP growth in the country was estimated at 6.7% in 2017, up from 5.9% in 2016, and the economy is projected to grow even further at 6.6% in 2018.    However, persistent challenges face the country in the form of its limited natural resources, high levels of poverty (around 40% of the population lives below the poverty line), and inadequate national productive system, for instance, its heavy reliance on agriculture. The socio-economic conditions of close to 70 per cent of the country’s population, whose livelihood depends on agriculture, engage in unsustainable production practices for subsistence and income-generating activities.

In the face of these challenges, the Government of Burkina Faso has taken several national initiatives that ascertain the country’s commitment to sustainable development. It was one of the first countries to adopt a National Adaptation Plan. Fighting climate change is a high-ranking goal for Burkina Faso. The country is also committed to a transition to an inclusive economy and achieving sustainable economic growth.

PAGE was requested to support the development of a National Green Economy Strategy which serves as the backbone of the country’s transition to a green economy and contribute to Burkina Faso’s National Plan for Economic and Social Development (PNDES 2016-2020). Several macroeconomic and sectoral assessments were conducted to inform this Strategy, including the Green Economy Assessment which identifies sectors for green investments.

Burkina Faso has created a model for joint delivery of advisory services by different UN initiatives by bringing together PAGE, the Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI), and SWITCH Africa Green into one coherent work programme aimed at greening of economy. This model is now being replicated in other PAGE countries.

PAGE activities in Burkina Faso are contributing towards the achievement of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Sustainable consumption and production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

In recent years, PAGE partner agencies have provided diverse forms of support for green economy action, including assisting in the development of the Environmental Economy Strategy, a policy toolbox to help achieve national climate change and natural resources objectives.

Against this backdrop, an initial mission to Guatemala took place in September 2018, where PAGE met with national counterparts to set the objectives and parameters for its work in the country. Capitalizing on this opportunity, PAGE was also presented to Members of Parliament, regional authorities, the private sector and academia.

To begin its engagement, PAGE has:
• Began consultations with the Ministry of Public Finance
• Engaged with the UN Resident Coordinator as well as SIDA and GIZ

In recent years, India has been shifting from select initiatives in areas such as green jobs to embracing a larger scale and more integrated economy-wide approaches, including areas like circular economy and waste-to-wealth.

In this context, PAGE kicked off in India with an Inception Workshop, held in November 2018, convening national counterparts and other green economy stakeholders.

To begin its programme of work in India, PAGE has initiated work on:

• A stocktaking study to define priorities for PAGE’s engagement
• A national-level workshop and consultation on inclusive green economy priorities
• Planning of state-level stakeholder consultations in several regions to capture different perspectives on inclusive green economy opportunities and challenges

PAGE’s work in India will build upon:

• An existing UN Discussion Paper on circular economy in India, prepared by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office

The Republic of Kazakhstan joined PAGE in 2018 with the overall objective of achieving the ambitious targets set out in its National Development Strategy Kazakhstan 2050 and its Green Economy Concept, which serves as an IGE roadmap for the country and includes several ambitious targets, such as sourcing 50% of energy from renewables by 2050 and as much as 30% by 2030.

At the sectoral level, Kazakhstan aspires to become a regional hub for green finance, which would provide further support for the investments in Kazakhstan’s green economy. More generally, Kazakhstan seeks to promote economic diversification through the green economy, also taking account of the benefits of achieving inclusive growth.

PAGE activities will kick-off with a scoping mission in early 2019 in a process that will be led nationally by the Ministry of Energy, with close engagement from the Ministries of Healthcare, Agriculture, Industry and Development and National Economy.

Since its independence in 1968, Mauritius has come a long way, transforming into an upper middle-income diversified economy benefitting from dynamic industrial, financial and tourism sectors as well as high levels of human development. However, increased economic activity has also had adverse effects on the environment. Significant threats such as marine and air pollution, coupled with the island’s vulnerability to climate change, underline the necessity for Mauritius to increase resource efficiency and the resiliency of its economy in order to build a sustainable and prosperous future.

 In order to tackle the environmental and social challenges it currently faces as well as achieve its ambition of becoming a high-income, sustainable and inclusive economy by 2030, the government has formulated an ambitious path forward, the Vision 2030 Development Model*, with key focus on addressing unemployment, alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development. The government has also launched the Three Year Strategic Plan 2017-2020, “Rising to the Challenge of our Ambitions”, in June 2017, aiming to address these pressing challenges through targeted actions in various key growth sectors. In Mauritius’ Three Year Strategic Plan, green economy is mentioned as an approach for implementing low-carbon growth and renewable energy strategies in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing waste management and tourism.

Throughout this process, PAGE has worked with the Mauritian government as well as the private sector and civil society actors on a series of technical support programs and various green economy assessments. PAGE is notably supporting the implementation of the Three Year Strategic Plan, seeking to promote innovation, increase efficiency of public institutions and develop skills in the labor force towards the advancement of shared and environmentally sustainable growth in Mauritius.

PAGE activities in Mauritius are contributing to the achievement of: SDG 4 (Quality Education); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production); SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Located on the west coast of South America with more than 50% of its territory covered by forest, Peru is endowed with abundant natural resources, especially minerals, which serve as the backbone of the economy. Despite a slight slowdown in recent years, it has enjoyed strong economic growth since the turn of the century, allowing it to make significant strides in key development areas such as access to water and sanitation, access to energy and overall poverty reduction. Resource-driven growth has nevertheless led to environmental degradation and increasing pressure on natural capital, often resulting in the poorest segments of the population bearing the highest costs. Growing threats such as water and air pollution, soil erosion and deforestation all presented significant challenges that called for increased attention.[1]

In order to steer the country towards a development scenario reconciling economic development with social inclusiveness and environmental sustainability, Peru has embarked on a journey towards productivity-driven growth and increased resource efficiency. Building on commitments made on the international stage to sustainable development, climate action and biodiversity conservation among others, Peru has in recent years integrated such objectives in national planning efforts such as the Bicentennial Development Plan (adopted in 2011), rendering explicit and actionable its desire to turn sustainability concerns into drivers of government policy.

PAGE engagement in Peru started in 2013 with the overall aim of promoting the efficient use of resources, environmental quality, and green jobs creation in key sectors of the economy. PAGE has since supported the integration of green growth and related concepts into national planning, provided assistance with the formulation and implementation of national and sectoral green economy public policy proposals, and helped catalyze various capacity-building initiatives.

PAGE activities in Peru are notably contributing towards the achievement of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

In the last couple of decades, South Africa has become one of the largest economies in Africa, benefiting from high levels of industrialization and abundant natural resources such as large mineral deposits[1]. In the process, the country has made considerable strides towards improving the well-being of its citizens, significantly lowering poverty rates and increasing access to public services. Nevertheless, while the economy is still expanding, economic growth has significantly slowed down in recent years and many social and environmental challenges remain. Indeed, South Africa still suffers from high albeit improved levels of inequality and unemployment, and the industrialization of the country alongside the increasing exploitation of natural resources has resulted in a large ecological footprint.

Having recognized the potential of green economy strategies, the South African government has embarked on a developmental path where environmental sustainability and social equity go hand in hand with economic prosperity. South Africa’s vision for a low-carbon, resource efficient and pro-employment future has been integrated in a number of national policy instruments such as the National Development Plan 2030 and the Green Economy Accord. South Africa has notably assumed a leadership position in its region towards addressing environmental challenges and implementing green economic policies.

The intention of PAGE in South Africa is to further strengthen cooperation, coordination and capabilities required to implement the country’s planned green economy transition. The PAGE programme’s three objectives in South Africa are: i) to contribute to better policy coordination, strengthen dialogue and help deepen collaboration in green economy policy, planning and implementation processes; ii) to identify enabling factors for selected green economy sectors with the intent of promoting sector reform; iii) to strengthen capabilities through enhanced green economy training, learning and knowledge sharing, including support for national learning institutions in South Africa.

PAGE activities in South Africa contribute to the achievement of SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).