Climate compatible development (CCD) initiatives do not happen in a vacuum. Rather, they unfold within and are shaped by existing policy and decision making processes. Evidence from aid effectiveness research suggests that an understanding of politics and policy processes is crucial to delivering outcomes that help the poorest and most vulnerable people.
However, political economy analysis is missing from much engagement on climate change and development, which often focuses on technical assistance, toolkits and capacity-building.
This project is based on the contention that understanding and working with the prevailing political economy is crucial to change the understanding and commitment of decision makers, to improve coordination, collaboration and mobilisation amongst key stakeholders, and to strengthen the institutions and institutional capacity to deliver climate compatible development.
This project will work with three current CDKN projects to strengthen political economy analysis that can help improve project outcomes, as well as develop lessons and a methodology that can be applied across other activities to promote climate compatible development. The three CDKN research initiatives are:
- ‘Improving low carbon energy access and development benefits in Least Developed Countries’ (University of Sussex and the African Technology Policy Studies Network)
- ‘Climate Learning for African Agriculture’ (Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich)
- ‘Achieving Triple Wins: Identifying Climate Smart Investment Strategies for the Coastal Zone’ (led by the School of Geography, University of Southampton)