Pioneers of low-carbon, climate-resilient development share progress

At the meeting, representatives of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Nepal will showcase their efforts to:

• Combine the policy agendas of climate resilience and green economy within their development plans
• Design financial instruments to support the shift to a new model of development that reduces use of fossil fuels while protecting people from climate change
• Shape the design of the World Bank's Climate Investment Funds to support national development.

"These countries are pioneers, with important lessons to share with other countries as they make the transition towards cleaner development pathways that build people's resilience to an increasingly erratic climate," says Nanki Kaur, a researcher in IIED's climate change group. "Their efforts show that political will can create big changes even when resources are limited."

The countries are among the world's least developed, but have taken ambitious action over recent years.

• Ethiopia plans to become a carbon neutral middle income country by 2025
• Rwanda has created a special mechanism to mobilise international finance for climate change projects that its green growth and climate resilience strategy
• Bangladesh, while not fully embracing the concept of low-carbon development, has invested US$10 billion to build its resilience to climate-related disasters and has introduced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Nepal has developed policy responses to guide investments in low carbon climate resilient development – including a climate change budget code that helps integrate and track climate sensitive expenditure within the national budget.

IIED has supported these and other countries through a project that helps policymakers understand the political economy surrounding climate change, develop systems that put new knowledge to work, and support institutions that can deliver climate-resilient outcomes.

Government representatives of Kenya, The Gambia and Zanzibar will also share their experiences at the meeting in Addis Ababa, which will take place at Siyonat Hotel, Bole Medhaniyalem area.

Journalists who wish to attend the meeting, or would like to arrange interviews, should contact Nanki Kaur (nanki.kaur@iied.org) to register.