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The Global Transition Dialogue #2

Exploring options for a green economy knowledge-sharing

platform

Cameron Allen

Rio+20 Secretariat (UN-DESA)

March, 18th, 2012

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In a nutshell…

1. Rio+20 submissions & the Zero Draft – GE chapter

2. What does the literature say – definitions and designs for K-S platforms?

3. Some interesting case studies of “platforms”

4. What does this mean - exploring options for a Green Economy Knowledge-Sharing Platform

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1. Rio+20 submissions Conference is about filling the gaps in implementation

and coordination… work-shop not a talk-shop Various proposals in submissions to ZD on the means of

implementation and greater coordination

knowledge sharing

capacity building

International institutions

technical assistance

technology transfer

trade

international cooperation

toolkits

finance

partnerships

For Today:

Many countries see the value in sharing experiences, lessons learned and good practices - incl. EU, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Norway, RoK, Russia, Switzerland and others

Also closely linked to proposals for capacity building mechanisms and int’l cooperation around finance, tech transfer and assistance.

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Closer look at the K-S platform proposal:An international knowledge-sharing platform to help countries to design and implement national green economy policies

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Zero Draft – GE Chapter The K-S platform would include:

A menu of policy options A toolbox of good practices in applying GE policies at

various scales A set of indicators to measure progress A directory of technical services, technology and financing

that could assist developing countries

Request the UN SG to establish such a platform.

A lot of questions…. aims/objectives, governance arrangements, components and integration

Q. How can we better define a green economy knowledge-sharing platform???

2. What does the literature have to say?

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Definitions…

Probably not so important what we call it – more important are what it aims to achieve and how.

With modern ICTs the possibilities are endless

websites gateways

Portals

wikisforums

databasesCommunities

of practice

Knowledge platform: a web-site or other virtual platform for sharing of data, tools and experiences (CLEAN, 2011)

Good practice… Countries now rate acquisition of knowledge as more

valuable than financial lending (World Bank, 2011)

Proliferation of platforms – e.g. in energy & low-emission development alone there are over 50 platforms and networks – up from 10 only 3 years ago (CLEAN, 2011)

New generation of rich, interactive ICT technologies are driving this...

…. but ICTs by themselves won’t promote effective knowledge sharing Platforms need to be effectively designed, coordinated

and managed – they need clear objectives, a strong commitment to sustained support and consistent, ongoing resources

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Design of a K-S Platform Two-tiered approach (Lin, 2011):

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+

FacebookWiki

Customized consultation for knowledge exchange between

participants

General infrastructure to share knowledge

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A search-and-match platform that provides practical information on development solutions and case studies – it could be organised by sector and supported by key int’l organisations.

A network of government officials, experts and practitioners A regular forum or policy dialogue to share knowledge and policy

challenges

Four key components (Task Team on South-South Cooperation, 2011):

• Monitoring for results, developing good practice, peer reviews, convening events

• Mobilising resources and partners to facilitate K-S transactions

• Online databases, libraries, CoPs, dialogues, workshops etc.

• To match demand and supply of knowledge

Demand Driven

Brokering Mechanism

Implement-ation

support

Benchmarking and

knowledge sharing

Funding

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Services approach (CLEAN, 2011)

Knowledge platforms & Networks

Best practices, data and

tools

Expert assistance

Virtual (webinars/

blogs)

Expert

Workshops

Country peer

exchange

Reports (issues and innovation)

Training

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Q. What can we learn from emerging practice?

3. Some interesting case studies

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South-South Knowledge Exchange

A global platform of support services for World Bank teams and clients Brokering: a mechanism to match supply with demand Financing: a financing mechanism to support SSKE activities Design: “know-how” on KE, including an online toolkit. Implementation: using the Global Development Learning Network and online

CoPs to support countries and build capacity Results: document results through an online knowledge database,

incorporating a searchable global map interface.

Urbanization Knowledge Platform and Partnership Aims to become the world’s “go to” hub for urban knowledge

exchange

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Connections: “matching” service; messaging; CoPs Q&A; open online forum.

Knowledge: real-time, online knowledge exchanges; ‘thought leaders’; yearly review meetings; policy insight research and briefings.

Data: online data platform for cities data using open data and Google; indicators to benchmark cities for comparison.

CLEAN and LEDS partnership bring together donors, practitioners, and partner govts to share knowledge for LEDS planning and activities.

Collaborative wiki platform; LEDS Toolkit; energy datasets; resources; mapping and visualisation tools; and apps

OpenEI (Open Energy Info) A global knowledge-sharing online community working together to

connect people with the latest energy info and data

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Other platforms of interest for green economy…

Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Green Growth Knowledge Platform (World Bank, GGGI, OECD, UNEP) Green Economy Initiative (UNEP) Green, Low-Emission and Climate Resilient Development program

(UNDP, EU) WIPO Green – Sustainable Technology Marketplace Green Economy Coalition; Stakeholder Forum; UNCSD Rio+20 web

portals… Regional: ESCAP Green Growth; Africa Platform for Development

Effectiveness… Issue/Sector-specific: ALM, CCKP, IISD Knowledgebases, CGIAR, GWP,

CIP, new platforms under development for jobs, ICTs, food security and nutrition etc. etc.

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Q. What does all this mean for a green economy knowledge-sharing platform?

4. Bringing it all together: aims, governance, structural components

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Lessons for aims/objectives..Aims/Objectives (for example):

• To promote and facilitate (via a global communication platform) the exchange of knowledge, data, good practices, lesson learned and operational guidance amongst practitioners and policy makers at global, regional and local scales.

• To provide flexible, practical policy approaches that respect the national circumstances of different countries.

• To identify and fill gaps in theory and practice and facilitate high quality international research, partnership and leadership.

• To facilitate the accelerated adaptation, adoption and transfer of technologies.

• To facilitate international cooperation and access to finance.

Lessons for governance…

Key challenge: “Platform Fatigue”! As platforms begin to duplicate services and compete for members, where members do not have the time to commit to multiple initiatives,

and where partners do not have the resources to support multiple,

uncoordinated initiatives

Considerable benefit in: forging enhanced linkages between complementary platforms and

partnerships consolidating duplicative platforms providing a coherent overarching framework to connecting platforms

so that they work together to support an integrated capacity development agenda

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Lessons for governance

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A strong political commitment and a dedicated support structure with ongoing, reliable funding. Comprising, for example:• a dedicated Secretariat or support unit• a decision-making body• an expert advisory committee• a mechanism for broader consultation and dialogue• a MoU or Terms of Reference

Any support structure would need to be integrated into the existing sustainable development governance structure, building upon existing platforms and initiatives, with numerous international organisations contributing according to their mandate and area of expertise.

Lessons for governance…

Evidence that “platform integration” is happening in the climate change and energy sector: Coordinated Low-Emission Assistance Network Global LEDS Partnership Climate Knowledge Brokers

Projects include: Development of a Portal of Portals – to easily search all LEDS

platforms and networks Training platform administrators on linking datasets between

platforms for LEDS planning – i.e. using open data formats

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Lessons for governance Perhaps green economy, or sustainable development more

broadly, provides a common thread that could link various knowledge platforms and networks together…

…. could it provide the opportunity for establishing an overarching framework and better integrate platforms and networks so they work toward common objectives?

…. who would lead such an initiative?

…. could the ball be put in motion at Rio?

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Lessons for design…

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5. Financing facility for developing countries

4. Expert focal points or hubs

3. Online data platform & GE

Toolbox

2. Brokering mechanism

1. Mechanisms for promoting connections,

networks, partnerships

Green Economy

Knowledge-Sharing

Platform

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To support implementation and in-country capacity:

• a sophisticated web portal with membership and professional networking capabilities

• messaging, online forums, access to CoP

• links to global online networks that cater for in-country capacity to design and implement knowledge sharing,

• structured online policy dialogues and video conferencing among government officials.

Options could be explored for consolidating or linking various existing online networks could be explored – e.g. create a central access hub with a unified membership…

Components of a green economy K-S platform

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To match ‘knowledge seekers’ with ‘knowledge providers’. This could include:

• A mechanism for exchange of practitioner expertise (e.g. the South-South Knowledge Exchange pilot); and

• A mechanism for exchange of technology (as per WIPO Green).

It could be supported by a database and brokering team to systematically match supply with demand and offer a variety of other services.

Components of a green economy K-S platform

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To support design of GE strategies and measures, including an interactive online Google map interface for accessing a database of GE resources and a sophisticated query function. GE resources compiled in the database could include:

• a structured menu of policy options;• “how to” toolkits and guiding principles;• analysis of case studies synthesising good

practice; and• a library of practitioner resources and reference

materials.

Components of a green economy K-S platform

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To build upon and forge linkages with existing focal points, initiatives and platforms and facilitate access to

expertise.

Hubs could be sector-based (or linked with SDGs) and use existing

international agencies or partners, and located in developed and

developing countries

CC

Components of a green economy K-S platform

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To fund knowledge sharing processes, support the platform and the design and implementation of GE strategies and policy measures.

Options include utilising existing fund facilities (e.g. GEF, GCF, WBTs) or establishing a new stand-alone facility.

Various options for the commitment of funds by donors could be coordinated via a single fund inline with an agreed work plan, such as general donations or more targeted donations for specific initiatives in different sectors, regions or countries.

Components of a green economy K-S platform

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Thank you!

allen5@un.org

http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/gedatabase.html