In the process, the study investigated a variety of relevant project examples in development co-operation‑. Table A C.1 provides a non-exhaustive list of projects reviewed, classified by SDG area. This list can provide a repository of good practice on investment and sustainable development.
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Annex C. List of development co‑operation projects reviewed for this guide
Table A C.1. Examples of initiatives to enhance investment and sustainable development
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Investment promotion |
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Investment Climate Facility for Africa This multi-donor and private sector funded facility was set up to boost Africa’s growth by removing barriers to doing business in the continent. Its main goals were to build effective coalitions with businesses and governments to identify and implement priority projects; work to create a conducive legal, regulatory and administrative environment at all levels; and improve Africa’s image as an investment destination. The ICF was established as a development organisation that implemented 73 separate projects with 21 African partner governments, with technical and financial support from the IFC and the ADB, Germany (KfW), the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Norway, the UK and the Republic of South Africa, as well as seven corporate donors (Anglo American, Celtel, Coca-Cola, Shell Foundation, SAB Miller, Sasol, Standard Bank and Unilever). |
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EU research support for the negotiation of AfCFTA The European Union (EU) has been supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) since its launch in 2018 by facilitating negotiation fora or providing technical studies upon African Union demand, as well as supporting AfCFTA advocacy via financing the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The EU, in co-operation with the International Trade Center (ITC), also contributed to establishing the African Trade Observatory, which aims to provide an evidence-based‑ basis for conducting trade in Africa. The EU’s supports identifying the potential impacts of international agreements on specific sectors or industries as well as the economy as a whole and informing them of governments concerned. Such an assessment can explicitly consider the quality aspects of FDI, consisting of the four sustainability areas outlined in the OECD FDI Qualities Initiative. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_19_890; https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/system/files/aap-panafricanprogramme-annex8-c20187378-20181031_en.pdf; |
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European Commission support for investment in the MENA region As part of the EU-OECD Programme on Investment in the Mediterranean, the European Commission co-finances OECD work aiming to support investment climate reforms to advance sustainable growth and decent job creation in the Southern Mediterranean. Working together with governments and other partners in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, and Tunisia, the Programme: (i) provides targeted policy advice and capacity building on investment policy design and implementation; (ii) facilitates public-private dialogues on investment climate reforms in priority sectors; (iii) supports monitoring and evaluation of reforms to gauge success. One component of this programme uses the FDI Qualities Policy Toolkit to provide advice and engage in capacity building to help MENA countries improving the qualities of FDI. A first in-depth assessment is being conducted for Jordan. Source: https://www.oecd.org/mena/eu-oecd-mediterranean-investment/ |
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Japan’s support for investment promotion in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan and Japan are implementing technical co-operation project to strengthen the enabling environment for incoming foreign investment in Uzbekistan. Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade (MIFT) partners with Japan International Co-operation Agency to execute study on local investment climate and capacity building for the newly established cross-ministerial organisation, Agency for Strategic Development, in the Government of Uzbekistan to secure an integrated discussion for improving the investment environment in the country. Source: https://www.jica.go.jp/activities/project_list/knowledge/ku57pq00002ntn6j-att/2020_763_uzb.pdf |
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OECD’s Investment Policy Reviews An OECD Investment Policy Review (IPR) is a country-specific report conducted by the OECD Secretariat in partnership with the government of the country under review. IPRs have been used by over 30 countries, at varying levels of development and across all continents, as a tool for assessing investment and business climates, and for designing reforms to improve them. Since 2006, reviews have used the Policy Framework for Investment (PFI) which takes a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to investment climate reform. IPR evaluates the progress of political actions to enhance investment environment in 12 policy areas: investment policy; investment promotion and facilitation; trade; competition; tax; corporate governance; promoting responsible business conduct; human resource development; infrastructure; financing investment; public governance; and investment in support of green growth. |
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Australia’s Sustainable Trade and Investment in the Indo-Pacific (STIR) programme The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) supports STIR programme implemented by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The STIR programme aims to increase corporate transparency on social and environmental impacts to drive sustainable trade and investment in the Indo-Pacific region. Through this programme GRI supports the capacity of listed companies to disclose their sustainability impacts, and promotes a reporting environment conducive to transparency, by engaging market regulators and stock exchanges in the region. |
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Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) The EITI aims to implement a global standard to promote an open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources. The initiative is supported by a coalition of government, companies, and civil society. In the Netherlands coalitions of businesses, stakeholders and government actors have been formed in several sectors (e.g. garment and textile, gold, banking, forestry, etc.) to promote sustainable practices. Some initiatives can also have a targeted SDG focus. Source: https://eiti.org/About |
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Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF)’s financial support for the investments in developing countries DGGF provides financial support to businesses exporting or investing in developing countries, as well as domestic firms. To access funding from the DGGF, businesses must comply with a range of criteria, including international corporate social responsibility standards, and contributing to the country’s sustainable development – i.e. to local employment, production capacity and/or knowledge transfer. Source: https://english.dggf.nl/finance-opportunities/dutch-entrepreneurs-exporting |
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EU’s supports to facilitate AfCFTA negotiations The EU has been supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) since its launch in 2018 by facilitating negotiation fora or providing technical studies upon African Union demand. The EU has also been supporting AfCFTA advocacy via financing the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The EU, in co-operation with the International Trade Center (ITC), also contributed to establishing the African Trade Observatory, which aims to provide an evidence base for conducting trade in Africa. Funding research that informs developing country governments about the potential impacts of international agreements on specific sectors or industries as well as the economy as a whole. Such an assessment can explicitly consider the sustainable development impacts of FDI. Source: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/madame_synowiec_.pdf |
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WTO’s support to LDCs for building negotiating capacity Building negotiating capacities of developing country officials by providing training in the form of technical seminars and workshops. Donors provide funding to the WTO Global Trust Fund to help developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) participate effectively in global trade negotiations by financing training and other capacity-building activities for government officials to help them better understand and implement WTO agreements and to enhance their negotiating skills. Source: https://www.un.org/ldcportal/content/trade-related-technical-assistance-and-capacity-building |
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RTA Exchange by ICTSD and IDB Facilitating mutual learning among developing country governments and the building of alliances, which can be the basis for better negotiating strength. The regional trade agreements (RTA) Exchange is a knowledge sharing platform jointly implemented by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It allows to share experience and best practices on using regional trade agreements as valuable laboratories for new trade rules, and as testing grounds for approaches and provisions suitable to be harvested at the multilateral level. |
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Development and economic co-operation‑ work programme by PACER Plus Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus is a development focused free trade agreement between the Pacific and Australia and New Zealand. PACER Plus is associated with a USD 25 million Development and Economic Co-operation (DEC) Work Programme to help countries implement the agreement. This work programme will be delivered by a specialist unit being established in Apia, Samoa, and will draw on a Rapid Needs Assessment being delivered for all Pacific members. The development aspects of the PACER Plus have become increasing important as the agreement has been negotiated and entered into force. Source: https://pacerplus.org/ |
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Responsible Supply Chains in Asia programme by EU, ILO and OECD Responsible Supply Chains in Asia programme, funded by the EU and implemented jointly by EU, ILO and OECD, helps companies improve respect for human and labour rights and environmental standards across global supply chains and create an enabling environment for responsible business conduct. The project is carried out in partnership with six partner economies, including countries that have signed trade and investment agreements including sustainability provisions. Source: https://www.ilo.org/asia/projects/rsca/lang-en/index.htm |
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AfDB’s support for African Peer Review Mechanism to improve Africa’s image as a place to do business The Investment Climate Facility (ICF) of the African Development Bank (AfDB) supports both the design and implementation of reforms through legislative reviews, capacity building of key institutions, promotion of public-private sector dialogue, implementation of recommendations of the African Peer Review Mechanism process of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and media work aimed at improving Africa’s image as a place to do business. Source: https://au.int/en/organs/aprm |
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Productivity and Innovation |
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lFC’s local procurement and supplier development programme The IFC and Newmont Ghana Gold Limited jointly developed a local procurement and supplier development programme called the Ahafo Linkages Programme, which is focused on capacity building and integrating local businesses into the supply chain. This is done through the support and development of local SMEs using a technical and business skills mentoring approach to enable them to meet Newmont’s procurement standards and stringent requirements. The co-operation is expected to promote supplier development and local sourcing to allow local SMEs actively and successfully participate in the supply chain of a foreign firm, which indirectly also allows them to diversify their customer base. Source: https://simanye.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Supplier_Development.pdf |
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USAID’s Digital Strategy USAID launched the Digital Strategy in April 2020 to strengthen open, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystems by taking a systems-level approach to understanding and responding to the opportunities and risks of digital technology. As part of this strategy, USAID and DAI’s Digital Frontiers project conducted four pilot Digital Ecosystem Country Assessments (DECAs) in Colombia, Kenya, Serbia, and Nepal, with two additional DECAs in Pakistan and Libya currently underway. The DECA assesses the digital landscape, identifies opportunities and risks, and provides specific recommendations to help decision-makers better utilise or contribute to the digital ecosystem. SAID/Colombia has used their DECA both strategically and practically by incorporating digital into their long-term plans and by adopting specific recommendations, such as pursuing projects that enable women entrepreneurs to harness digital tools, like the Start Path Empodera activity. Source: https://voxeu.org/article/fdi-and-developing-nation-supply-chains-four‑case-studies |
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Small Business Impact Fund (SBIF) This multi-donor fund contributed by Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei and the United States and managed by the EBRD, provides financing, advisory and policy dialogue activities to support small and medium-sized enterprises in EBRD’s countries of operation. Funded projects of the EBRD including Women in Business programme, EBRD’s Star Venture programme and Advice for Small Businesses programme, supports the quality enhancement of local SMEs and start-ups, which is one of the important elements to attract the quality FDIs. Source: https://www.ebrd.com/what-we-do/sectors-and-topics/donor-support-for-small-businesses.html |
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GIZ’s technical co-operation‑ to foster SMEs in Morocco the Government of Morocco sets an objective of advancing the reforms of own economic policies with a view to inclusive growth and job creation – Moroccan National Strategy for Sustainable Development 201730 and Industrial Acceleration Plan 201420. Especially the latter established by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has the improvement of SMEs competitiveness as one of its three main pillars, as SMEs count 98% of the number of domestic private actors and contribute to 40% of national GDP. As enhancing employment is one of pillars of German development co-operation in Morocco, and also as it aligns with Morocco’s Industrial Acceleration Plan, the GIZ has the project “Appui aux très petites, petites et moyennes entreprises (TAM). The project supports the recipient government to reinforce regulatory and economic framework for SMEs and improve the conditions of access to finance. The project is also developing networks bringing together companies or sectors of activity, services and training models adapted to SMEs aimed at supporting them in their efforts to grow and create jobs. |
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EBRD and World Bank’s support for the National Centre for Innovation in Jordan The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Word Bank implement development co-operation to address the issue of institutional capacities in innovation ecosystem in Jordan. Two banks work with the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) of Jordan to establish the National Centre for Innovation (NCI), which is expected to function as the national one-stop‑ information and referral hub for all activities related to innovation and private sector development, including start-up activities. The project supports the HCST to define and develop the NCI’s mandate, functions, procedures, tasks and capacity. The NCI is to provide legal advocacy and advisory services to SMEs as well. The NCI co‑ordinates with national and international administrative, financial and technical services to enhance and support innovation and private sector development. While supporting national innovation scenes, the NCI creates a feedback mechanism to the government to ensure best practice and transparency. The Centre accumulates all co‑ordinating activities in the technology platform that combines existing data resources with the data to be collected in order to co‑ordinate resource referrals, monitor and evaluate innovation activities and other key performance indicators reflecting the economic shifts towards innovation. |
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Japan’s support to improve intellectual property rights in Indonesia Japan supports Indonesia’s governmental efforts to improve intellectual property rights protection and legal consistency in view of enhancing business environment in Indonesia. Behind the formulation of this co-operation, there is a match of strategies of two governments. Indonesia’s “Medium-Term National Development Plan (201014)” includes “Investment and business environment improvement” in one of 11 prioritised policies. Especially, the protection of intellectual property right is one of the issues in the business environment in Indonesia. The two governments’ implements technical co-operation to the concerned institutions in Indonesia to fulfil the common objective. Source: https://www.jica.go.jp/oda/project/1500598/index.html |
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Ahafo Linkages Programme by the IFC and Newmont Ghana Gold Limited The IFC and Newmont Ghana Gold Limited jointly developed a local procurement and supplier development programme called the Ahafo Linkages Programme, which is focused on capacity building and integrating local businesses into the supply chain. This is done through the support and development of local SMEs using a technical and business skills mentoring approach to enable them to meet Newmont’s procurement standards and stringent requirements. Source: https://conferences.iaia.org/2009/pdf/tf/TF1-5_Brakoh_Ahafo_Linkages_Program.pdf |
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UNIDO’s Investment Monitoring Platform Initiatives such as UNIDO’s Investment Monitoring Platform (IMP) supports data collection and help governments in Africa access comparable data and better assess the effectiveness of their policies on FDI, and the influence of FDI on domestic firms. The Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) Toolbox developed by the GIZ and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies provides practical guidance to IPAs in developing countries on a range of topics, including targeting investment that can support development objectives and generate spill-over effects, and designing of monitoring systems reflecting the strategic objectives, core tasks and processes of the IPA. |
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Job quality and skills |
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Denmark’s support for ILO’s Better Work Programme Denmark is a major supporter of the Better Work programme, a partnership between the ILO and the IFC, which brings together governments, MNEs, local factories and unions and workers to improve working conditions in the garment industry. Based on assessments of factories that act as suppliers to MNEs, as well as training, advisory, advocacy and research, the programme works with 1 700 factories across eight countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Jordan, Nicaragua and Viet Nam. An independent impact assessment showed that Better Work has positively affected working conditions such as abusive practices, weekly pay, contracts and working hours. Such co-operation to improve the working conditions in specific contexts, in partnership with multinational companies and developing country governments can support companies to execute the sustainable employment practices and actions to improve them. Source: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@exrel/documents/publication/wcms_726219.pdf |
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ILO’s support to establish national employment policies (NEP) The ILO provides technical support to governments in the design of National Employment Policies NEPs), which aim to advance the SDGs and consider the complementarities between labour, sectoral, trade and investment policies (Figure 2.3). The development of NEPs also involves comprehensive and intense process of tripartite social dialogue, making the process a tool to reinforce social dialogue institutions and mechanisms. |
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UK’s Ethical Training Initiative UK supports the Ethical Trading Initiative, an alliance of multinational companies, trade unions and NGOs which seeks to improve the lives of workers producing or growing consumer goods. Member companies commit to following and reporting against a code of conduct which protects workers’ rights and integrates ethical trade into their business practices. This initiative is one of 14 responsible business initiatives (RBIs)1 to help build corporate capability that will improve business practices and generate a positive impact on workers in their supply chains. |
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EU’s support for OECD/ILO/EU programme on Responsible Supply Chains in Asia EU’s support for the Responsible Supply Chains in Asia programme, implemented by the OECD together with the International Labour Organization and the European Union, aims to help companies and governments across global supply chains and take action to create an enabling environment and respect for human and labour rights. The 3‑year programme (2018‑20) is carried out in partnership with Japan, an OECD member and the only country under the Programme that has adhered to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and has set up a National Contact Point for RBC, and five partner economies, namely China, Thailand, Viet Nam, Philippines, and Myanmar. Source: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/globalpartnerships/responsible-supply-chains-asia |
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GIZ’s Competitive Cashew Initiative Launched in 2009, the Competitive Cashew initiative brings together more than 100 public and private partners, including the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and private international companies such as Kraft Heinz Foods, Intersnack and Olam. The initiative coordinated by GIZ, works along the entire value chain, from production, processing and marketing right through to export. Experts give the producers advice about cashew farming and operational management. The initiative also channels investments from participating MNEs into local production and processing capacities. Moreover, while raising the productivity and sustainability of the regional cashew industry, the initiative helps to attract additional foreign direct investors. |
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USAID’s technical supports for local farmers in Madagascar USAID supports farmers in Madagascar to receive Rainforest Alliance Certification (RAC) in collaboration with private sector partners, McCormick & Company and Ramanandraibe Exportation (RAMEX). The project helps farmers in north-eastern Madagascar to reduce the negative environmental impacts of vanilla production, while simultaneously improving farmer’s incomes and lives, through training the beneficiaries to comply with the standards necessary to obtain the RAC. RAMEX is a local company specialised in exporting local Vanilla products, therefore their local expertise helped the USAID to implement the project in Madagascar. USAID and RAMEX mapped and conducted inspections of farmers’ vanilla fields and made support for farmers to fulfil numerous standards to get RAC including biodiversity conservation, improved livelihoods and human well-being, natural resource management, and effective planning and farm management systems. The internationally recognised certification not only increases the incomes of the local food producers through the premium price on their products, but also further appeals to the international investors who appreciate the production process fulfilling the high-quality sustainability standards. |
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SIDA and UNIDO’s Heavy Duty Equipment and Commercial Vehicles Academy in Ethiopia In Ethiopia, there is a growing need for skilled labour, and finding a trained workforce is a bottleneck for companies. Technical vocational education and training programmes do exist but are often based on theoretical training and are poorly aligned with the actual needs of the labour market and the private sector. SIDA’s strategy includes creating improved opportunities for productive employment with decent work conditions – particularly for women and young people. A Public Private Development Project was launched with SIDA, UNIDO and Volvo, to address both the private sector’s need for a skilled workforce and the country’s high unemployment rates. Volvo and its customers needed highly trained mechanics to secure sustainable maintenance of a large order of trucks. Meanwhile, the provision of modern and qualitative vocational training and job opportunities aligned well with Sweden’s strategy for development co-operation with Ethiopia. Source: https://www.unido.org/news/unido-volvo-and-partners-support-vocational-training-morocco |
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Gender equality |
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ILO’s Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme in Indonesia The ILO’s Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programme aims to empower, connect and support career development of women. In Indonesia, female workers are employed predominantly in jobs requiring low STEM skills, which are at risk of disappearance because of technological advances including automation and robotics. The project identifies the skills gap between industry specific skills and occupational needs and establish action plans for skills development. In addition, the project builds and enhances the professional capacity of female worker through vocational trainings and mentoring programmes. With this intervention, female workers enhance their professional skills, which will further be a robust base for incoming innovative investment. Source: https://www.ilo.org/jakarta/whatwedo/projects/WCMS_624553/lang-en/index.htm |
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ITC’s SheTrades Initiative in Rwanda The International Trade Centre (ITC) SheTrades Rwanda aims to increase the competitiveness and business-linkage opportunities of women owned businesses by improving the business support ecosystem. The programme offers in-depth capacity building activities to women owned businesses in the coffee and horticulture sectors and business generation activities in local and regional markets. Technical trainings are offered to both women owned businesses and women that are employed further upstream in farming households. Source: https://www.shetrades.com/en/projects/shetrades-rwanda-call-application |
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Australia’s support to integrate gender equality considerations in investment promotion efforts Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia develops and promotes businesses and people from the Pacific through trade, investment, tourism and labour mobility. PTI Australia is an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Its mandate is driven by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to support the 16 Pacific Island Forum Countries. PTI works closely with investment promotion agencies to identify and target priority sectors and investors suitable for partner countries. As part of these initiatives, PTI partnered with investment promotion agencies in Fiji and Samoa to develop promotional material to attract potential investors. In its efforts, PTI promotes and focuses on gender equality with the use of webinars and one-on-one meetings and facilitation with gender specialists to further expand knowledge and work on how to empower women led businesses through impact investment. Source:https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/pacific/development-assistance/economic-growth-and-private-sector-development; https://pacifictradeinvest.com/ |
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Jordan Valley Links Programme by Canada Jordan Valley Links programme, supported by Canada, aims to better integrate women and youth in food processing, tourism and clean technology value chains, through capacity building of local beneficiaries. Jordan valley is considered as the less affluent areas of Jordan despite its farming and tourist potential. The remoteness of some areas in the valley and the lack of affordable and accessible transportation options makes market access very challenging for the region particularly for women. The capacity building implemented by the programme develops their businesses and better integrate women and youth producers in three value chains: food processing, tourism and clean technologies. Source: https://w05.international.gc.ca/projectbrowser-banqueprojets/project-projet/details/D002309001 |
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UK and World Bank Group’s support for FDI promotion in Armenia The World Bank Group, in partnership with Good Governance Fund of the UK, is launching a new advisory programme in Armenia to help the government implement reforms, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and foster female entrepreneurship to spur business growth and job creation. The programme, implemented by IFC, will work in two directions: it will advise the government on attracting FDI through targeted investment promotion and measures to improve investor confidence; and it will help improve the economic outcomes of women entrepreneurs by improving their business competencies and access to business networks. While supporting the growth of high-potential sectors, including through the identification of promising sectors for targeted FDI promotion, the project will help strengthen relevant legal and regulatory frameworks and help the government identify export potential for selected products. To ensure that women entrepreneurs can benefit from business environment reforms, the project will also help analyse key constraints for women in business and build capacity of women entrepreneurs. Source: https://pressroom.ifc.org/all/pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=18531 |
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Performance-‑based financial instrument based on gender outcomes by Canadian Climate Fund and IDB In Latin America, IDB Invest, the private arm of the Inter-American Development Bank, offered a performance-‑based financial instrument based on gender outcomes, with funds from the Canadian Climate Fund. With this mechanism, project meeting a pre‑defined gender-related target, could obtain a reduction in the interest rate on the loan of up to 25 basis points. For example, the firm Tecnogroup in Uruguay obtained a loan to build six solar PV plants associated with targets to have at least 15% of women employees, and at least 15% of the working hours in each plant assigned to women. |
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Carbon Emission |
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Green Climate Fund (GCF)’s Funding to green venture capital in Rwanda and Kenya GCF creates a new investment fund, KawiSafi, to drive off-grid solar power in East Africa and invest in 10‑15 clean energy companies, initially in Rwanda and Kenya where 70 to 80% of population live off-grid. The project aims to drive a low-carbon paradigm shift and leapfrog fossil fuel grids to clean energy, using equity capital from GCF to leverage investment, and grant capital to set up a Technical Assistance Facility. Through this fund, each energy company is invested USD 2‑10 million who are contributing to the quality of life of low-income population in developing countries. Such project might also be a good way to enlighten the local population toward low-carbon development and build the robust base for future FDI in low-carbon technologies. |
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EU’s education and awareness for a green path and sustainable development in Jordan This programme aims to raise awareness and knowledge and empower NGOs to advocate for green economy in Jordan in view of achieving its target for 2020. The programme includes implementing the International Eco-Schools Program as an incentive for sustainable development to raise awareness and knowledge about energy efficiency and energy conservation. |
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Redstone Concentrated Solar Project by AfDB and IFC The solar power project, developed by the Saudi company, ACWA Power, an investor and operator of power plants and water desalination plants and financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), aims to balance South Africa’s energy mix, which currently consists of more than 80% of coal, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. The project is expected to create more than 3 500 jobs over its life cycle. The financing conditions required that the project fulfils social development requirements on citizens employed, Black Economic Empowerment, procurement from SMEs, local content, and shareholding by local communities. The Redstone CSP project introduces a novel technology to store solar energy in a molten salt thermal energy storage system, which will enable the power plant to deliver a stable electricity supply to more than 200 000 South African homes during peak demand periods, even well after the sun has set. First introduced and tested in the US, this way of generating and storing energy is particularly prone to the desert environment in South Africa and other African countries. |
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Switzerland’s support for Eco-industrial Park in Viet Nam Financed with a grant from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), this initiative aims to improve the environmental, economic and social performance of industries in Viet Nam and will create a basis to improve policies and regulation concerning Eco-Industrial Parks, integrating the EIP model in the legal framework for environmental and industrial policies. The programme builds on previous efforts (201419) by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment and UNIDO, that introduced the eco-industrial park model through pilot projects and led to the implementation of various solutions for resource efficient and cleaner production, resulting in an avoided annual demand of over 22 000 MWh of electricity, 600 000m3 of freshwater, 140TJ of fossil fuel and 3 600 tons of chemicals and waste. These solutions also led to an avoided emission of 32kt of CO2 every year. By improving the legal framework and developing information and technical database to connect businesses and to support implementation of solutions to transform industrial parks into EIPs, the project will help to replicate and implement the EIP model nationwide. Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/17/4667/htm; https://vietnam.un.org/en/101985-eco-industrial-park-model-sustainableindustrial-development-government-viet-na |
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Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) in India PPIAF supports the State of Odisha in India to hire international consultants and develop its first comprehensive renewable ‑energy policy framework covering the period up to 2022. The framework clearly outlines the long-term vision and includes a road map with incentive structures needed to attract private sector‑ participation to develop solar parks according to international standards. PPIAF’s technical assistance also supports to conduct land bank assessments to identify key sites. This was paramount in removing major barriers for private ‑sector participation and helping to expedite planning for largescale solar-park development in Odisha. Source: https://ppiaf.org/activity/india-renewable-energy-development-odisha-0 |
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AFD’s programme for sustainable timber harvesting in Gabon AFD has been supporting Gabon in defining and implementing its forestry policy. AFD participates in the financing of the Forest Management Control project, which relies on the creation of protected areas and introduction of sustainable harvesting practices for foreign and local timber companies. AFD together with the Institut de Recherche et de Développement transfers skills and technologies to the Agence Gabonaise d’Etudes et d’Observations Spatiales to allow satellite observation of Gabonese forests to ensure respect of protected areas and sustainable practices. Source: https://www.afd.fr/fr/carte-des-projets/controler-lamenagement-durable-de-la-foret-gabonaise |
Notes: Above are based on the openly available sources.
1 International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling ISEAL Alliance (ISEAL), Fairtrade Foundation, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, British Academy, UN Global Compact (UNGC), B Lab, Humanity United, Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), Shift, Share Action, World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), B Lab SDG, Fourth Sector Group 2030 (FSG), Business Fights Poverty.