Cameron Allen, Associate Expert on the Green Economy, UNDESA discusses options for a green economy knowledge-sharing platform

1. 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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2. 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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3. 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
international knowledge
cooperation sharing
partnerships technical
trade assistance toolkits
International
institutions capacity
technology building
transfer finance
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4. For Today:
Closer look at the K-S platform proposal:
An international knowledge-sharing
platform to help countries to design and
implement national green economy
policies
 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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5. 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
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6. Q. How can we better define a green economy
knowledge-sharing platform???
2. What does the literature have to say?
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7. Definitions…
Knowledge platform: a web-site or other virtual platform for
sharing of data, tools and experiences (CLEAN, 2011)
wikis
websites gateways forums
Portals Communities
of practice
databases
 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
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8. 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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9. Design of a K-S Platform
 Two-tiered approach (Lin, 2011):
Wiki Facebook
+
General infrastructure to share Customized consultation for
knowledge knowledge exchange between
participants
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10.  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
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11. Four key components (Task Team on
South-South Cooperation, 2011):
• To match demand and • Online
supply of knowledge databases, libraries, Co
Ps, dialogues, worksho
ps etc.
Demand
Driven Implement-
Brokering ation
Mechanism support
Benchmarking
and
Funding knowledge
sharing
• Mobilising resources • Monitoring for
and partners to results, developing
facilitate K-S good practice, peer
transactions reviews, convening
events
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12. Services approach (CLEAN, 2011)
Best
practices,
data and
tools
Expert
Training
assistance
Knowledge
platforms &
Reports Networks Virtual
(issues and (webinars/
innovation) blogs)
Country Expert
peer
exchange Workshops
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13. Q. What can we learn from emerging
practice?
3. Some interesting case studies
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14. 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.
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15. Urbanization Knowledge Platform and Partnership
Aims to become the world‟s “go to” hub for urban knowledge
exchange
 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.
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16. OpenEI (Open Energy Info)
 A global knowledge-sharing online community working together to
connect people with the latest energy info and data
Collaborative wiki platform;
LEDS Toolkit; energy datasets;
resources; mapping and
visualisation tools; and apps
CLEAN and LEDS partnership
bring together donors,
practitioners, and partner govts
to share knowledge for LEDS
planning and activities.
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17. 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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18. 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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19. 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. 19

20. 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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21. Lessons for governance
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.
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22. 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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23. 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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24. Lessons for
design…
1. Mechanisms
for promoting
connections,
networks,
partnerships
2. Brokering
mechanism
Green
Economy
Knowledge-
Sharing
Platform
5. Financing
facility for 3. Online data
developing platform & GE
countries Toolbox
4. Expert focal
points or hubs
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25. Components of a green economy K-S platform
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…
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26. Components of a green economy K-S platform
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.
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27. Components of a green economy K-S
platform
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.
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28. Components of a green economy K-S
platform
CC
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
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29. Components of a green economy K-S
platform
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.
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31. Thank you!
allen5@un.org
http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/
gedatabase.html
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