Supporting Competitiveness of Low Income Countries and Middle Income Countries in a Carbon Constrained World
SAWTEE has partnered with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), United Kingdom, to carry-out research in Nepal as part of a research project entitled “Practical Approaches to Supporting Competitiveness of Low Income Countries (LICs)/Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) in a Carbon Constrained World” which began in January 2012. The research project aims to develop a “Low Carbon Development Diagnostic” tool through engagement in five LICs.
The result of the first phase was a working paper detailing a methodology to assess low carbon competitiveness in LICs/LMICs. The ongoing second phase involves engaging with different stakeholders in the three case study countries to develop country-specific policy briefs. In the third phase, each case study country report will be synthesized, and the findings and recommendations will be disseminated among stakeholders.
The goal of the project is to support better economic policymaking that responds to new opportunities and threats that will arise in a carbon constrained global economy, and to promote green growth and create job opportunities. The vision is to provide a practical approach to help policymakers adjust their economic policies to the new context, and identify as well as capitalize on the new opportunities. This vision will be achieved through the implementation of a “Low Carbon Competitiveness Diagnostic” formulated during the first phase of the project. The diagnostic will generate policy conclusions related to the specific investment climate reforms, competition policies, regulatory frameworks and trade policies that are needed in order to create a business environment which positions the country to capitalize on these new opportunities, and empower the private sector to invest, innovate, compete and expand production.