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22.08.2024 - Welcome to the team!
We're thrilled to welcome
Paula Guillaumet
to the greenwerk. team as our new
Senior Advisor on Climate Finance
! With extensive international experience across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Paula has led numerous initiatives aimed at reducing GHG emissions and enhancing adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change. Her solid academic background in Architecture, paired with advanced studies in Sustainability Science and Energy, provides her with a distinctive approach to addressing climate challenges.
Paula has collaborated on initiatives seeking funding from major entities such as the GCF, GEF, Mitigation Action Facility, and various bilateral and multilateral international funds. She specializes in project management, designing low-carbon resilient strategies, developing innovative financial instruments, and integrating data-driven techniques.
When she's off the clock, Paula is an avid runner training for her next marathon. She loves diving into a variety of hobbies, from climbing and painting to swimming, crafting, dancing—you name it, she’s likely tried it!
To learn more about Paula’s expertise and previous work experience, have a look at her profile
here
.
15.08.2024 -
Training in Sri Lanka on GCF Project Financial Structuring
Our experts
Anna Deinhard
and
Michel Köhler
just returned from a training in Sri Lanka on GCF project financial structuring for stakeholders from various private and public institutions at the forefront of climate action. The training enhanced the participants’ understanding of the financial architecture of climate finance proposals. Financial structuring was discussed specific to different sectors and in the framework of blended finance cases. Participants could engage in interactive exercises and acquired detailed knowledge of various financial instruments, funding sources and private sector incentives. Additionally, the training strengthened the participants’ awareness of the links between the implementation of Sri Lanka’s upcoming Climate-Smart Green Growth Investment Plan and the countrys’ advancement of its Green Climate Fund pipeline.
The project team was excited about the active engagement from various ministerial, NGO, private sector and academia representatives in this 2-day event in Colombo. We thank our partner institution Janathakshan GTW Ltd and the Global Water Partnership which commissioned the training under a GCF Readiness Programme.
19.06.2024 -
Climate Finance Consultations in Majuro: A Step Towards Readiness
With support from the
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
(SPREP), our senior expert
Anna Deinhard
travelled to the Republic of the Marshall Islands to support the NDA (Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Environment) in programming for the next GCF Readiness Support. Anna consulted a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and private sector representatives. The discussions helped understanding the current landscape of climate finance in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, identifying gaps, and determining the necessary steps to enhance the country's readiness to access GCF resources.
Anna’s take-away from this mission:
"The insights gathered from these consultations are vital for developing a comprehensive needs assessment”. She says that “this will not only support the Republic of the Marshall Islands in their application to the GCF, but also help build a robust framework for sustainable climate finance management in the long term."
The collected information will be synthesized in a Readiness Needs Assessment and accompanied by a long-term action plan that suggests strategic actions for addressing readiness needs. The action plan is therefore instrumental for the NDA to plan for future Readiness Support, especially in the light of a shift of the GCF Readiness Program to a more programmatic approach.
28.05.2024 -
Developing a vision for Green Growth Pathways for Sri Lanka
In collaboration with Janathakshan GTW Ltd, the greenwerk. is developing a Climate-Smart Green Growth Strategy & Investment Plan (CS-GGS) for Sri Lanka. The strategy is commissioned under a GCF Readiness Programme delivered by the Global Water Partnership (GWP).
Anna Deinhard
and
Jannik Landwehr
just returned from an in-country mission to advance the development of the investment plan that will accompany the strategy. The plan aims to leverage needed investments for identified interventions that direct Sri Lanka towards its envisaged climate-smart green growth pathway.
The project team, which puts great emphasis on local engagement and ownership, was happy about the active engagement from several ministerial representatives and academia in this 2-day multi-stakeholder workshop in Kaluthara, south of Colombo. The workshop built upon results from previous stakeholder engagements that were dedicated to working out a vision for climate-smart green growth in Sri Lanka and elaborating detailed aspects of the strategy.
We thank our partners and participants for their engagement advancing the finalisation of the national Climate-Smart Green Growth Strategy which is slated for autumn 2024. We look forward to further collaboration as the strategy development progresses.
16.05.2024 -
Why does transparency on climate action matter?
Transparency is key for making sure that we are on track for limiting global warming to below 2°C. If we don’t collect the information from the national level and synthesize it at the global level, we cannot know where we are at. That’s why the reporting under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) is so important! Starting this year, all countries need to submit Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) that contain information on national greenhouse gas emissions, progress towards the goals set out in the NDC, and much more. But how can countries tackle this big task and overcome obstacles to reporting?
To address this question and empower countries to submit rigorous BTRs, the Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA) organized the Global BTR Dialogue at the European Commission in Brussels. To support the attending BTR coordinators from developing countries in reporting on their support needs as well as the support they received from developed countries,
Lena Dovidat
led a
workshop session
on how to report this information in the BTR. For more resources on other reporting elements, please visit the
PATPA website
.
If you are interested in further information and assistance on how the reporting on the (financial) support needed and received can be done, please also see our work on the climate finance transparency guide and contact us!
07.05.2024 -
Climate finance transparency for enhanced climate action
Finance underpins national climate action. It is therefore key for achieving both mitigation and adaptation targets. But how much climate finance is spent? Where and how is it being delivered, and are climate finance flows aligned with national priorities? And where are gaps when comparing financial needs to existing climate finance?
Through creating our climate finance transparency guide with
CCAP
and
ICAT
, we are supporting developing countries in answering these and many other questions. To tailor the guidance to developing countries’ needs and circumstances, we presented our work at the ICAT Community Meetings and gathered feedback from a range of public officials, research institutes and non-governmental organizations. Key take aways from this climate finance workshop can be read
here
.
Now, the guide is in the last stages and will be published by ICAT in
summer 2024
.
For more information on the guide, please also see our previous post and don’t hesitate to reach out to us! You can contact both
Michel Köhler
(mk@thegreenwerk.net) and
Lena Dovidat
(ld@thegreenwerk.net) to learn more about the individual steps explained in the guide or to explore opportunities for cooperation.
22.04.2024 -
Our team is growing!
We are excited to announce that Mikael Ferreira joined our team at the greenwerk. as
Junior Advisor for Climate
Finance! Besides a strong expertise in climate finance, Mikael also brings valuable language skills to our team as he is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish and has worked on projects in Brazil, Angola, São Tomé and Principe, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Before joining greenwerk, Mikael worked as Analyst at E Co. Ltd, where he supported the development of climate finance proposals to the GCF and GEF through project coordination, stakeholder management and data analysis. Previously, he worked as a project coordinator for a state government in Brazil and completed internships at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and the GIZ Partnering for Readiness Program.
When he's not working on tackling the effects of climate change, you can find Mikael watching films and TV series, reading historical fiction or playing a F1 game.
To learn more about Mikael’s expertise and previous work experience, have a look at his profile
here
.
12.04.2024 -
Master course module on international climate finance at Berlin School on Economics and Law (HWR)
During this winter semester 2023/24, the greenwerk was teaching a module on international climate finance for master’s students at the
Berlin School on Economics and Law (HWR)
. The module is part of the degree in Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance. Over the course of three sessions,
Björn Dransfeld
and
Lena Dovidat
discussed various themes with the participants, ranging from global climate governance and current state of affairs in international climate finance to practical means of accessing climate finance. We completed the module with a group assignment that engaged students in developing their own case studies for climate finance proposals.
25.03.2024 -
Webinars and guidance materials for emission reduction calculations in the energy, transport, buildings, and AFOLU sector
How do you best estimate the mitigation impact of (climate) projects? Many organisations providing technical or financial assistance for climate projects are facing this question.
To achieve reliable reporting of the mitigation effects of their projects and answer this question, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) has engaged
the greenwerk.
and
Perspectives Group
for expert advice. Together, we have developed comprehensive guidance for the reporting of direct and/or indirect mitigation effects that are aligned with internationally recognized standards. During four webinars, our experts have explained the methodology and application in the four sectors
energy
,
transport
,
buildings
and
Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU)
. The webinars introduce general calculation approaches, share helpful further resources, and illustrate the theoretical approaches with simple quantitative example cases. In case you are interested in further resources, you can also access the publicly available
training materials
and reach out to us with any questions you may have.
29.01.2024 -
Consulting services for climate finance tracking
Together with the
Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT)
and the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), the greenwerk. is developing a holistic guidance for governments and especially Ministries of Environment to implement climate finance tracking. The guidance includes all stages from beginning to end, starting with the national design and institutional setting, then moving to financial needs assessments and climate finance tracking, and concluding with gap analysis between climate finance mobilized and needed. It equips countries to better understand their unmet needs for climate finance, improve their public resource management, mobilize additional support, and report under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).
At COP28, we shared our guidance (
click here to access the presentation
) with high-level government officials, delegates and climate finance experts. The panelists – Madeleine Diouf, Head of Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in Senegal and Dr. Lennox Gladden, Chief Climate Change Officer at the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management in Belize – shared and discussed key challenges their ministries face in implementing climate finance tracking. A recording of the side event can be accessed
here
.
During the ICAT Community Meeting on February 28 – 29 in Bonn, we will provide an extended presentation of the five phases of our guidance on climate finance tracking. We will also use this opportunity to further engage with government officials and climate finance experts and collect feedback to improve the guidance and make it most useful to users.
The final guidance is expected to be published by spring 2024. To learn more about our consultancy services for climate finance tracking, please do reach out to Michel Köhler (mk@thegreenwerk.net).
22.01.2024 -
Accessing climate finance for low-carbon public transportation
the greenwerk. supports UNDP Jordan with the development of a climate finance
concept note
for a
public transportation project
. During a mission to Amman and the Jordan Valley in November 2023, Stefan Wehner and Hannah Braun invited key stakeholders to discuss existing barriers and opportunities for the Jordanian transport sector and the stakeholders’ potential contributions in individual consultations as well as during a collaborative workshop. Moreover, the greenwerk. experts conducted a
climate finance training
in Amman. The training contents were aligned with the needs of transport sector stakeholders and not only covered theoretical basics on climate finance instruments but also provided real-life best-practice cases of climate finance in the transport sector and guidance on the climate finance application process.
20.11.2023 -
Workshop in Abuja, October 2023 – Empowering rural communities in Nigeria to develop mini-grid electrification plans
Together with our consortium partners
Reiner Lemoine Institute
and the
Clean Technology Hub
, we took the next important step for advancing mini-grid electrification in rural Nigeria. We conducted a successful workshop in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, to engage with representatives from five rural communities from different regions in the country. The focus of the workshop was to discuss how these communities can achieve reliable electricity supply through mini-grids, and how our tools can support them in developing mini-grid electrification plans.
The motivation of this Communities of Practice Nigeria project, which is funded by the
Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative
(IKI), is to address electricity poverty in Nigeria. Many Nigerians suffer from electricity poverty, particularly in rural areas, where only 30% of the population has access to electricity. Within the Communities of Practice project in Nigeria, we are working to empower five communities across Nigeria to initiate, plan and implement their mini-grid projects bottom-up. As a key support element, we are building a web application that provides users with practical tools in the mini grid planning process. For example, the tools will help communities to analyze data, evaluate suitable business models and identify financing options for mini-grid projects that will help securing reliable electricity for community members. As next steps, we will accompany the five communities in forming partnerships and mobilizing finance, as well as sharing lessons learned among their Community of Practice.
12.10.2023
We are hiring - Junior Advisor - Climate Projects and Finance (m/w/d)
We are currently looking for a highly motivated, skilled and communicative individual to support our team in Hamburg as Junior Advisor - Climate Projects and Finance (m/w/d). We offer flexible and open working surroundings in a dynamic market for climate change mitigation solutions. Please see our latest job posting for details:
the_greenwerk_job_posting_junior_advisor_2023-10.pdf
25.09.2023 -
the greenwerk. welcomes Hannah Braun as Advisor for Mitigation and Climate Finance
We are excited to announce a valuable addition to our team:
Hannah Braun
joins the greenwerk. as Advisor for Mitigation and Climate Finance to support the team with GHG mitigation projects and carbon footprinting.
Prior to joining the greenwerk., Hannah acquired valuable skills and insights as a CSR Consultant at a prominent German strategy and communications consultancy. Her expertise encompasses developing sustainability strategies for clients in real estate, transportation, and renewable energy sectors and the calculation of GHG Protocol-compliant company carbon footprints. Before this, Hannah worked as a Junior Advisor at an international development consultancy on infrastructure and financing projects, and interned at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) New York office.
When she is not advocating for climate change action, you can find Hannah practicing Yoga (preferably outdoors), exploring new destinations through travel and watching Friends on a rainy day.
Hannah's passion and expertise make her a valuable addition to the greenwerk. team as we continue our commitment to promoting sustainable development and GHG mitigation. To learn more about Hannah’s expertise and previous work experience, have a look at her profile
here
.
31.08.2023 -
Enhancement of energy efficiency in Albania’s NDC Update
In cooperation with the
Urban Resources Institute
, experts from the greenwerk. have supported the enhancement of Albania’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The enhanced NDC features improved energy efficiency measures as well as improved monitoring processes.
The enhanced of Albania’s NDC was part of a GCF Readiness financed activity package, comprised of:
An assessment of the
state of implementation of the energy efficiency policies and measures
.
Elaborating an action plan to tap
additional potential of energy efficiency for the enhancement of Albania’s NDC 2030
, with focus on the energy efficiency sectors’ emission target, policy recommendation, gender needs analysis and stakeholder contributions
Contributing to the development of a
manual for monitoring the NDC progress 2021-2030
.
Capacity building and training of the central and local institutional authorities of the energy efficiency sector, and of local technical experts conducted to support planning, programming and implementation of the country’s climate change process, including on the LEAP simulation tool.
22.06.2023 -
Stakeholder engagement for community-driven mini-grids in Nigeria at the Intersolar Conference in Munich
In Nigeria, around 80 million people lack access to electricity. Particularly rural areas suffer from energy poverty with only 30% of the people having access to electricity. The country faces complex energy challenges, including the unreliable electricity supply from the national grid that is further exacerbated in the context of a growing population and thus growing demand for electricity. This challenging situation demonstrates the need for decentralized solutions – such as renewable mini-grids or solar home systems.
the greenwerk., together with the consortium partners
Reiner Lemoine Institut
and the
Clean Technology Hub
, is working on empowering communities across Nigeria to initiate mini-grid implementation, placing a community-driven process at the centre. Last week, the project team met at the Intersolar Conference in Munich to conduct stakeholder interviews and co-create the core elements of a toolbox for community-driven mini-grid implementation. The toolbox will be tailored to the needs of a community-driven, bottom-up process that increases social, environmental and economic sustainability. The next step will be to elaborate implementation plans for mini-grids in five communities and a workshop-series in Abuja, Nigeria.
13.06.2023 -
The GEF approves project to Achieving a Rapid Decarbonization of the Energy Sector in Saint Kitts and Nevis supported by the greenwerk.
St. Kitts and Nevis are implementing a series of initiatives and investments with the aim of moving towards 100% renewable electricity generation. However, the country faces several barriers to achieve this target. A key challenge is to build a comprehensive enabling environment that can support St. Kitts and Nevis in managing and achieving a transition to decarbonization in a controlled and resilient as well as economically, socially and environmentally viable manner. the greenwerk. supported St. Kitts and Nevis in this mission through proposal development for a
GEF project
that sets out to accelerate the national decarbonization. The project, which was approved by the GEF CEO on May 11, aims to achieve this objective through a transition towards 100% renewable electricity generation and 100% high energy efficiency public buildings. The project-based decarbonization and transition towards 100% renewable electricity generation, present an important step in St. Kitts and Nevis’ vision to become one of the first Caribbean countries to achieve net-zero emission of its electricity grid.
the greenwerk. has prepared the GEF CEO Endorsement Document for UNEP, the implementation agency, and the executing entity, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment. We are pleased about the approval and hope for a positive impact for the energy transition sector in St. Kitts and Nevis.
13.05.2023 -
the greenwerk supported the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with a training on how to develop proposals and implement projects in light of the GCF’s new Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF)
From May 9th to May 11th,
Stefan Wehner
(Founding Partner of the greenwerk.) and
Jannik Landwehr
(Advisor for Climate Finance) provided a training on the GCF’s new
Integrated Results Management Framework
(IRMF) to staff of the
Caribbean Development Bank
(CDB). During the training at the bank’s headquarters in Barbados, the greenwerk. strengthened the knowledge of participants from several units on the implications of the updated framework for the GCF proposal development and project implementation. The training explained the interplay and relevance of the IRMF throughout each step of the GCF project cycle. Through practical recommendations and interactive working session, the greenwerk. captured the participants’ interest and engaged them in a successful learning experience.
The training was commissioned in light of the changing requirements mandated by the GCF. The GCF uses a results-based management approach to continuously monitor the performance of approved projects and programmes, as well as inform and update its portfolio. The IRMF supersedes the previous framework, being effective from the 32nd meeting of the GCF board (May 2022) onwards. The changes in the results-based management approach have direct implications for GCF proposal development and project implementation.
17.04.2023 -
Advancing GCF Readiness in St. Vincent and the Grenadines through Readiness Needs Assessment and Action Plan
the greenwerk is supporting St. Vincent and the Grenadines with its Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Needs Assessment. The Caribbean island state is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures, increased frequency of droughts, sea level rise and coastal flooding, ocean acidification and increased impacts from hurricanes. To further enhance its climate resilience, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is seeking to access the GCF. In harnessing resources from the
GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme
, important foundations for receiving international climate finance support are currently being created. The Readiness Needs Assessment aims to identify further areas for preparatory support, including capacity building, strengthening the policy environment, pipeline development as well as information, data and knowledge. Consultations with key stakeholders were held by the greenwerk in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines in March 2023, to inform a strategic long-term readiness action plan.
27.03.2023 -
Increasing urban resilience with GCF multi-country Concept Note
Caribbean states are highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, particularly in their cities and urban areas. For addressing key vulnerabilities and build critical capacities of their urban areas, Caribbean states need to access international climate finance. To pave the way for accessing the
Green Climate Fund
(GCF), the greenwerk. and the
Caribbean Community Climate Change Center
jointly supported Belize, Jamaica, Haiti and St. Kitts and Nevis in conducting a Climate Finance Mapping, a Needs Determination and elaborating a GCF multi-country Concept Note. Our work was commissioned by the
Caribbean Development Bank
. It built on a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process with consultations and a regional workshop in Barbados, where our team recently presented and discussed the project findings and final results.
Photo credit: Montego Bay,
Pinterest
08.02.2023 -
Presentation at 100% Renewables Conference Nepal
In the end of last year, our founding partner
Michel Köhler
attended the
100% Renewables Conference Nepal
, which was organized by
Prakriti Resources Centre
(PRC), the
World Wildlife Fund Nepal
(WWF Nepal) along with
Alternative Energy Promotion Centre
(AEPC). The conference sought to discuss both chances and challenges of South Asia in pursuing a low-carbon development pathway and achieve a 100% renewable energies future. As an expert in renewable energy policy, Michel Köhler presented the experiences made in applying policies and funding mechanisms to foster renewable power deployment in the context of the German Energiewende.
25.01.2023 -
Master course module on international climate finance at Berlin School on Economics and Law (HWR)
During this winter semester 2022/23, the greenwerk was teaching a module on international climate finance for master’s students at the
Berlin School on Economics and Law (HWR)
. The module is part of the degree in
Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance
. Over the course of three sessions,
Björn Dransfeld
and
Lena Dovidat
discussed various themes, ranging from global climate governance and current state of affairs in international climate finance to practical means of accessing climate finance. Yesterday, we completed the module with a group assignment that engaged students in developing their own case studies for climate finance proposals.
30.11.2022 -
GCF Readiness Needs Assessment and Long-term Action Plan completed
To pave the way for accessing the
Green Climate Fund
(GCF), the greenwerk. supported the Caribbean Island Nation
St. Kitts and Nevis
in elaborating a GCF Readiness Needs Assessment since May 2022. The final Readiness Needs Assessment Report identifies existing needs and prioritizes areas for future GCF Readiness funding. The greenwerk. also formulated a long-term action plan for GCF Readiness funding to guide and structure future GCF Readiness Proposals. The consultancy was commissioned by the GCF Delivery Partner organization
Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre
(CCCCC). Our work built on a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process with consultations and technical workshops.
22.10.2022 -
GCF approves CAF’s E-Motion Project
GCF Board approves CAF’s E-Motion Programme for e-mobility and low carbon transport: Earlier this week, the Green Climate Fund's Board has approved the funding proposal E-Motion:
E-Mobility and Low Carbon Transportation (FP195)
, developed by
CAF - banco de desarrollo de América Latina
with support by
HINICIO
and the greenwerk. The Programme aims to strengthen the e-mobility conducive ecosystem in Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The project invests in large scale e-bus fleets, deployment of light electric commercial vehicles, and fast charging infrastructure. We are pleased about the approval and hope the project will accelerate the deployment of e-mobility solutions, reduce GHG emissions, and connect cities and communities through clean, safe, and reliable transportation options.
Photo credit: electric & hybrid vehicle technology international
https://www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com
17.08.2022 -
UNIDO GEF Project approved: Sustainable energy systems for urban-industrial development in South Africa
To support South Africa’s NDC target to accelerate the decarbonisation of the country’s the energy transition in Industrial Parks (IPs) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) towards sustainable energy demand and supply will be key. The transition will be assisted by
“Sustainable energy systems for urban-industrial development in South Africa”
project recently approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This project aims to support South Africa in initiating a transition to sustainable energy investments and practices at industrial production facilities. the greenwerk. has prepared the PIF and the GEF CEO Endorsement Document for UNIDO, the implementation agency, and in close cooperation with the National Cleaner Production Center in South Africa (NCPC-SA). We are pleased about the approval and hope for a positive impact for the energy and industry sector in South Africa.
Further information can be found at the GEF webpage:
“Sustainable energy systems for urban-industrial development in South Africa”
Photo credit: ELIDZ (https://www.elidz.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/NGHE8178.jpg)
15.05.2022
GEF approves funding proposal on electric mobility in Grenada
The GEF has approved the electric mobility project
“Accelerating the introduction of low-emission and climate-resilient electric mobility in Grenada”
. The child project under
“Global Programme to Support Countries with the Shift to Electric Mobility”
can now start execution, an important step for Grenada towards greening its energy and transport sector. the greenwerk. has prepared the GEF CEO Endorsement Documents for UNEP, the implementation agency, and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Physical Development, Public Utilities and Energy and Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Transport and Implementation. We are pleased about the approval and hope for a positive impact for the energy and transport sector in Grenada.
Further information can be found at the GEF webpage:
Accelerating the introduction of low-emission and climate-resilient electric mobility in Grenada
20.04.2022
Climate Finance Tracking: Workshop for public sector officials in Seychelles
In April, experts from the greenwerk. participated as trainers in a hybrid workshop on climate finance tracking with a focus on energy sector finance in Seychelles. The workshop marked the end of the project “Capacity Building on Climate Investment and Financial Flows in the Energy Sector in the Seychelles”, which was commissioned by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) under the NDC Partnerships’
Climate Action Enhanced Package (CAEP)
. The project was implemented in cooperation with our project partners, the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) as well as two local consultants. The objectives of the project were to
develop a climate finance tracking methodology
with a focus of energy-related climate finance, including the
design of an tracking template
, the
collection of historical data (2019 – 2021)
and the
delivery of a training workshop
focused on the application of the method and the accompanying tool. The project was coordinated with local public sector entities, including the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, who also represented the target group for the training. The activities represent a starting point for the island state to strengthen transparency in relation to climate-relevant financial flows and the country aims at establishing the relevant institutional prerequisites and to expand the tracking approach to other sectors.
17.11.2021 -
CFAS Policy Briefs: Discussing Art. 2.1c and access to finance
Intense negotiations at COP26 have shown that finance it still at the heart of raising ambition for climate action. Ahead of the conference in Glasgow, the
Climate Finance Advisory Service (CFAS)
published two policy briefs, addressing the
alignment of all financial flows
with the Paris Agreement and
access to finance
. The policy briefs were developed in cooperation with partners from CFAS and have been funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). This year’s briefs were partly based on roundtable formats, trying to reflects upon insights from a wide variety of stakeholders involved in the negotiations. In the week prior to COP26, the results of both policy briefs have also been presented in an webinar format. During the conference, the results of the publication on “Access to climate finance for the most vulnerable” have also been discussed at the
COP26 Catalyst For Climate Action Day
(9 November).
Take a look at the policy briefs “
Making finance flows consistent with the Paris Agreement: Opportunities and challenges concerning Article 2.1c
” and “
Access to climate finance for the most vulnerable
” via the CFAS website, including links to the recordings of the webinars.
Here
you can also re-watch the presentation by CFAS at the COP26 Catalyst For Climate Action Day (starting at 1:32:00).
01.11.2021
New publication: Is 1.5°C within Reach for the Asia-Pacific Region?
Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, yet their climate action commitments are also critical to the achievement of 1.5°C goal. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 30 countries in the region have updated their NDCs and 34 have already pledged to carbon neutrality by 2050 or are in the process of doing that. The question remains: Is this enough? The joint report by UNESCAP, UN Women, UNEP and the greenwerk. takes a closer look at the ambition and potential of NDC commitments of the Asia-Pacific countries. The report provides a scenario-based assessment of the collective NDC commitments of countries in the region, as well as their individual commitments to action including net zero goals, carbon pricing commitments and removal of fossil-fuel subsidies. It also explores the steps countries in the region have been taking to build up capacity to enable more action, such as climate finance budgeting, and monitoring and reporting. Further, based on the level of country climate ambition and national enabling environment, the study provides a series of recommendations on how to drive-up national and regional ambition to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
The publication is available on the UNESCAP Website:
Is 1.5°C within Reach for the Asia-Pacific Region?
30.08.2021
Project completed: Supporting Ghana in the transition towards a Climate Sensitive Government Budget
Domestic climate finance tracking has been gaining recognition as an important tool to navigate resource mobilisation efforts and to manage finance for climate action most effectively. In Ghana, domestic climate finance tracking has been introduced in 2016, including the development of supportive tools to document climate finance from both public and other sources. Under the
ADAPT’ACTION Facility
, Expertise France and Agence Française de Développement have been supporting Ghana, among other countries, since 2017 in the institutional, methodological and operational implementation of their commitments in relation with climate change. To further enhance the effective application of climate finance tracking in Ghana, the project “Supporting Ghana in the transition towards a Climate Sensitive Government Budget” has been funded by the ADAPT’ACTION Facility. Implemented from March to July 2021, the project had the overall objective to support the Ministry of Finance of Ghana to monitor and facilitate access to climate change finance by national public institutions, private sector and civil society organisations (CSOs). This involved the following activities: An analysis of the status quo of climate finance tracking in Ghana, including recommendations for a way forward, the development of
“Guidelines for climate finance mobilization”
with a specific focus on suitable sources for the Ghanaian context and the design and implementation of trainings on both climate finance tracking and climate finance mobilisation for public sector staff (Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA) officers) as well as for representatives from private sector and CSOs. To deliver these activities, experts from the greenwerk teamed up with Germanwatch e.V., KASA Initiative Ghana and local consultant Ms. Lotte Westermann. In addition, the delivery of trainings has been supported by trainers of the Ministry of Finance. In recognition of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our trainings were conducted in a hybrid format, involving in-person workshops conducted by our local experts with an integration of virtual inputs by international experts.
Rewatch the trainings on the Facebook page of Kasa Initiative Ghana:
Kasa Initiative Ghana
04.02.2021
Off-Grid Renewable Energy for Climate Action – Pathways for change
Michel Köhler & Dr. Philipp Blechinger (Reiner Lemoine Institute) have published an Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) guest editorial on
'Off-grid Renewables’ Smart Local Impact on Communities & Entrepreneurship'
and how decentralised solutions support resilience towards crises such as COVID-19.
Editorial builds on findings from our study
“Off-Grid Renewable Energy for Climate Action – Pathways for change”
, that explores
CLEANER, CHEAPER & SMARTER
solutions for universal electricity access by 2030 (see figure "Nexus between off-grid RE and livelihoods", the full download is available
here
). Additionally, the webpage displays electrification scenarios considering investment needs and emission reduction potentials for grid extension, mini-grid deployment and solar-home-system dissemination until 2030 for 52 countries.
04.12.2020
Online Seminar: Options for the post-2025 climate finance goal
The formal negotiations on the
post-2025 climate finance goal
are yet to take off. But taking previous negotiations on climate finance matters into consideration, efforts of navigating all interests towards a satisfying decision should not be underestimated - not to mention the delay already imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this, the online seminar will address key elements that should be considered for the
process leading towards the definition of a post-2025 goal
. The event will also look closely at the technical nature of the post-2025 goal, while elaborating on the
core quantitative and qualitative elements
of a new climate finance target and taking into account lessons learnt from the USD 100 billion commitment
With support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Climate Finance Advisory Service (CFAS), of which the greenwerk. is part, will host the online seminar on the topic of the post-2025 climate finance goal on the following date:
Thursday, 10th December 2020, 13:00–14:00 (GMT)
Link for participation:
Online Seminar - Options for the post-2025 climate finance goal (MS Teams)
List of speakers:
• Lena Katzmarski, GIZ
• Raju Pandit Chhetri, Prakriti Resources Centre
• Sven Harmeling, CARE International
• Michel Köhler, the greenwerk.
Moderation: Björn Dransfeld, the greenwerk.
The webinar is connected to the forthcoming publication of a
policy brief on the topic
, which can be downloaded from the CFAS website:
CFAS Policy Briefs
03.12.2020
New publications: Options for integrating sustainable development and carbon market mechanisms
Together with the New Climate Institute, the greenwerk. has co-authored two reports on the promotion of sustainable development in carbon market mechanisms for the Federal German Environment Agency (UBA). The first report takes a general look at sustainable development impact assessment in the context of climate change mitigation mechanisms, while the second one focuses on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The reports are available at the UBA webpage:
Indicators for the promotion of sustainable development in carbon market mechanisms
and
Indicators for sustainable development under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
.
23.09.2020
Education for Sustainable Development is key... in all areas
Barbados embarked on an energy revolution, moving
towards 100% RE supply by 2030
and transforming the country to the first carbon-neutral island state in the world. To achieve this ambitious objective, Barbados requires enhanced capacity of the involved key stakeholders, institutions, and its educational sector. Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the greenwerk. and its consortium partners RENAC AG, GSEC Ltd. and ew-consult are supporting the enhancement of RE related aspects on
sustainable energy education
in primary and secondary school education as well as in training, certification and licensing of the vocational sector. Furthermore, key stakeholders such as the responsible Ministries, small-scale and large-scale investors, the utility and RE industry will receive trainings by the greenwerk. experts in the upcoming months.
31.05.2020
Virtual GCF trainings and stakeholder engagement workshops for West Balkan region
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the related travel ban, we are still supporting our partners and clients around the globe in moving forward finding responses to the climate change challenges ahead of us. As many others, we had to move our engagement to virtual interactions though. We have just finished a serious of
virtual trainings and stakeholder engagement workshops
for identifying
priority project for the GCF in the West Balkan
region on behalf of
UNEP
using innovative IT technologies for connecting people. Even in these difficult times, we stand ready to help raising the ambition towards mitigating climate change impacts!
13.02.2020
CLIMATE2020 – announcing the 7th Climate Change Online Conference
From 23-30 March 2020, the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) will host the
7th Climate Change Online Conference
, in short
CLIMATE2020
. The conference aims at providing a platform for experts from the academic, political, economic and social sectors as well as interested individuals to discuss the latest insights on how to tackle climate change – the greatest challenge of our century. It will inform participants about the latest research published on the matter and showcase best-practice examples from mitigation and adaptation strategies and projects currently under implementation. As it will take place online, participants from all over the world are invited to take part, enabling a truly international dialogue. Our experts Björn Dransfeld and Christine Nettersheim will support the conference with
two webinars on the topics of international climate finance and the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
.
Follow this link to register and get more information about the programme of
CLIMATE2020
.
07.02.2020
A Comprehensive Strategy towards 100% Renewable Energy in Seychelles and an Innovative Finance Approach
Read our new articles in the Seychelles Research Journal:
A Strategic Approach towards 100% Renewable Energy in Seychelles
and
Exploring the Potential of the Seychelles Pension Fund to Finance the Renewable Energy Transition
.
The energy systems of Seychelles and other Small Island Developing States rely highly on fossil fuels, which comes with high expenditure for fuel imports. The potential for using renewable energies in Seychelles to overcome this dependence is significant, but which has, so far, been utilized only to a limited extent. This unfavourable situation and the island’s vulnerability towards the adverse impacts of anthropogenic climate change raises the economic rationale for a transition towards renewable energy deployment.
Out first article (
A Strategic Approach towards 100% Renewable Energy in Seychelles
) summarizes how, under a comprehensive energy and financial strategy, the transition can be facilitated. Seychelles has set some renewable energy targets for the future and the government has articulated a long-term strategy to achieve a 100% supply of domestic energy supply through renewable energies by 2035 under the Seychelles’ 100% Renewable Energy Strategy (SeyRES 100). To achieve this ambitious target, a well-coordinated national energy roadmap is required in order to trigger national action and mobilize international support for an initial phase of the sector transformation. It defines policy measures, technology requirements, finance mechanisms and capacity development necessities for the successful implementation of renewable energies.
A successful transition of the Seychelles’ energy system towards 100% renewables by 2035 will require a substantial mobilization of private capital. Our second article (
Exploring the Potential of the Seychelles Pension Fund to Finance the Renewable Energy Transition
) assesses the potential of the Seychelles Pension Fund (SPF) to cover the required energy infrastructure investments. It reveals that SPF’s existing institutional set-up and operational structure could mobilize up to USD 60 million of cumulated capital volume for the energy transition by 2030. Under consideration of adjusted contribution rates or benefit payments that would stabilize SPF’s operation in the long term, up to USD 170 million could be allocated. This would equalize more than 40% of the total energy transition investments. A qualitative discussion of related impacts suggests that such SPF investments could address potential conflicts around the energy transition through enabling economic participation and democratization of infrastructure assets. While stable and attractive revenues could reduce investment risks, protect national energy infrastructure and sustain SPF’s operation, a diversification of current real estate investments might also create distributional drawbacks. As precondition for enhanced SPF engagement, the Fund’s operational staff requires more capacity and the Government has to provide a comprehensive enabling environment before substantial investment decisions can be taken.
Read the article here in the current issues of the
Seychelles Research Journal
20.01.2020
Renewable Energy Off-Grid Explorer - Visualization of Electrification Scenarios until 2030
Universal Access to Electricity by 2030 cannot be achieved by grid extension alone. Grid extension is often slow, expensive, provides unreliable service and it increases reliance on fossil-fuel based electricity generation. What we need are
CLEANER, CHAPER & SMARTER
solutions, if we want to ensure that access to electricity is provided sustainably and universally until 2030. Additionally, we need to strengthen international commitment to implement these solutions on a larger scale. Researchers at the Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI) and the greenwerk. have developed feasible
country-level scenarios for the deployment of off-grid renewable energy solutions
that mitigate climate change, are more cost-effective than grid extension approaches and leave no-one behind. The analysis has shown that the realization of these scenarios is accompanied by significant economic and social dividends to those most in need, which can propel development and build resilience to climate change.
Find our report and interactive scenarios for 52 countries at the
Renewable Energy Off-Grid Explorer webpage
.
04.12.2019
New policy brief and webinar on Determining the Needs of Developing Countries
CFAS Policy Brief on Determining the Needs of Developing Countries to Implement the Paris Agreement and the Convention. Ever wondered how developing countries may determine their support needs in terms of finance, technology and capacity building? Read the latest policy brief by CFAS.
CFAS Policy Brief on Determining the Needs of Developing Countries to Implement the Paris Agreement and the Convention
We have also discussed our insights during a webinar in late November 2019. Find the recording and accompanying slides here:
WEBINAR: First Needs Determination Report
28.11.2019
CFAS Policy Brief - Transparency of Support
Getting ready for COP25: Together with our partners from the Climate Finance Advisory Service Hashtag (CFAS), we had a look at the ongoing debate around the development of a new Common Tabular Format (CTF). Read our policy brief to get more insights on the matter.
CFAS Policy Brief - Transparency of Support – Development of the Common Tabular Format
25.09.2019
Workshop "Indicators for sustainable development in carbon market mechanisms post 2020"
On September 20th, the greenwerk. together with the New Climate Institute hosted the workshop "Indicators for sustainable development in carbon market mechanisms post 2020”. On behalf of the German Environment Agency / German Emissions Trading Authority, the greenwerk. and New Climate Institute assesses opportunities to measure and track sustainable development in the context of GHG mitigation projects, through the identification of practical solutions and concrete proposals for the implementation of sustainable development indicators in GHG mitigation activities. At the workshop, intermediate research findings were presented and dbeated with experts and climate negotiators to discuss opportunities and challenges for demonstrating sustainable development under future market mechanisms.
12.09.2019
MRV Framework Guidance for District Energy Projects published
Read our latest publication. This guidance prepared for the UNEP District Energy in Cities Initiative on measuring, reporting and verifying (MRV) enables projects and cities to track progress and the impact on city-wide district energy systems (DES). The guidance facilitates the monitoring of projects’ impacts, proposing a broad approach to MRV that addresses 1) greenhouse gas emissions and 2) sustainable development. In particular, city authorities and relevant stakeholders (utilities, private sectors, etc.) shall be able to evaluate planned and implemented projects with regards to mitigation impacts and sustainable development benefits.
MRV is particularly relevant in the context of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) development and implementation, national and local low emission strategies and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) as well as other mitigation mechanisms. Hence, the focus of the guidance is on the assessment of emission reduction and sustainable development impacts. The eventual adoption and adaptation of the MRV framework to the city and project specific situation is carried out in an individual MRV Plan prepared based on this guidance.
You can access the guidance on webpage of the District Energy in Cities Initiative:
Latest Publication of the District Energy in Cities Initiative
or directly
MRV Framework Guidance for District Energy Projects
New publications on climate finance
29.11.2018
Getting ready for COP24 negotiations: If you want to get an overview where climate finance will be discussed in Katowice or are interested in latest developments regarding predictability of climate finance, consult our guidance policy briefs – developed with partners from Climate Finance Advisory Service (CFAS).
CFAS Climate Finance Guide: COP24 Katowice
The CFAS Climate Finance Guide provides negotiators and observers with an overview of the key issues related to climate finance that will be discussed at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in Katowice, Poland. It is structured along the main items of the agenda of the different bodies that will meet in Katowice, namely the COP itself, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP), the subsidiary bodies (SBI and SBSTA) and the Ad-hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA). A table at the end of the document provides a simple synopsis of all the items discussed in this guide.
CFAS Policy Brief: Predictability of International Climate Finance under the Paris Agreement
he policy brief summarizes the status quo of negotiations on Article 9.5 of the Paris Agreement, including closer looks at the actors to be involved, at the provisional list of information to be covered and at the modalities under debate. It concludes with an overview of negotiation streams at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that deal with Article 9.5 and provides recommendations on how to make progress on the topic.
the greenwerk. offsets its carbon footprint -
21.11.2018
As every year we have voluntary offset our yearly emission that are currently unavoidable. To compensate the emissions related mainly to our travel activities around the world in 2017 we acquired CO2 offsets with sustainable co-benefits from the Improved Cook Stove Project 1 in Malawi implemented by RIPPLE Africa, a UK charity.
The cook stove project has so far replaced about 40,000 traditional three-stone cooking fires with fuel efficient cook stoves and benefits approximately 200,000 people in Malawi. It is reducing greenhouse gases emissions as well as preventing deforestation and respiratory diseases in the population.
Find out more about the Improved Cook Stove Project 1 at
Ripple Africa
Innovate 4 Climate (I4C) -
19.05.2018
Meet
the greenwerk.
at the Innovate 4 Climate (I4C) Conference in Frankfurt, where we investigate latest developments at the nexus of climate and finance. Our team is eager to meet with you and to learn from your experiences and challenges in financing the development agenda. Also, we look forward to jointly explore new opportunities for collaboration in the fields of sustainable energy for SIDS, green banking & climate finance, activities under the Green Climate Fund, as well as Monitoring & Evaluation of climate impacts. See you at I4C!
Seychelles' 100% Renewable Energy Strategy
23.03.2018
the greenwerk.
continues its support for the Government of Seychelles: The country has entered into a transition process from heavy reliance on fossil fuels towards 100% renewable energy under its Seychelles' 100% Renewable Energy Strategy (SeyRES 100). the greenwerk. will assist the Ministry of Environment Energy and Climate Change - Republic of Seychelles (MEECC) in developing a proposal to the GCF under the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) that shall help creating the enabling environment and improve the framework conditions for the implementation of the SeyRES 100. The GCF project is going to support a paradigm shift from diesel-based power generation and fossil fuel driven transportation to renewable energies in the Seychelles and contribute to a sustainable development in the country. Read also our related Policy Brief.
#renewables4climate #ClimateAction #ParisAgreement #SIDS #GCF
Green Banking
14.12.2017
Towards Green Banking in the Philippines - On December 8th,
the greenwerk.
attended the "2nd National Workshop for Innovative Climate Finance" in Manila, Philippines, hosted by ADFIAP, SERDEF and UN ESCAP. Björn Dransfeld of
the greenwerk.
presented opportunities of climate and sustainable finance for the domestic banking sector and facilitated an interactive session on the further needs of DFI's to advance
#ClimateFinance
in the country.
#ClimateAction #GreenBanking
20th Sustainable Development Conference
12.12.2017
Promoting climate finance in Pakistan -
the greenwerk.
joined the 20th Sustainable Development Conference of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) held from 5-7 December in Islamabad, Pakistan. During a session on "Innovative Climate Finance Mechanisms for Financial Institutions", Björn Dransfeld discussed the need for an integrated strategy of politics and finance for ensuring successful implementation of environment projects.
Achieving 100% Renewable Power Supply for Small Island Developing States (#SIDS)
26.11.2017
During #COP23,
the greenwerk.
spoke at the side event “Achieving 100% Renewable Power Supply for Small Island Developing States (#SIDS)”. At the event, international experts discussed the formulation of energy roadmaps for SIDS, how international climate finance can unlock the potential towards 100% renewable energies and presented the Energy Roadmap of the Seychelles on 100% renewable power supply by 2035 developed by the Europa-Universität Flensburg and the greenwerk.
Stefan Wehner
stated that “the transition towards 100% renewable energy power supply on SIDS requires an individual strategic approach to successfully steer this ambitious transformation. Once current barriers are overcome, a renewable based energy system on the Seychelles will be financially viable and stable, as the country can break free from its high fossil fuel dependency. International support and climate finance are required to kick-start this transition”. Read our related Policy Brief available on our website. All presentations of the event can be accessed on the UNFCCC website.
#renewables4climate #ClimateAction
Side event at the #COP23
20.11.2017
Björn Dransfeld
of
the greenwerk.
contributed to a side event at #COP23 on the role of climate finance for sustainable energy in Small Island Development States (SIDS).
He underscored the potential that renewable energy offers for SIDS, and highlighted the relevance of international public climate finance to overcome initial barriers and paving the way for sustainable energy in SIDS.
#renewables4climate #ClimateAction
2nd National Workshop on Innovative Climate Finance Mechanisms for the Financial Institutions in Sri Lanka
10.11.2017
While climate talks at #COP23 are ongoing, we contributed to the “2nd National Workshop on Innovative Climate Finance Mechanisms for the Financial Institutions in Sri Lanka”, on 7-8 Nov ‘17 in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka. In supporting UN ESCAP and the Centre for Environment and Development, the greenwerk. led technical sessions on innovative climate finance instruments for green banking in Sri Lanka.
#renewables4climate #ClimateAction #GreenBanking
Read our Policy Brief on how international climate finance can unlock the potential towards 100% renewable energies
09.11.2017
More and more SIDS aim at a complete transition to renewable energy sources. Hence, comprehensive energy roadmaps towards 100% renewable energies are needed, supplemented with a financing strategy. Read our Policy Brief on how international climate finance can unlock the potential towards 100% renewable energies… showcasing the Energy Roadmap of the Seychelles. Visit the related side event at
#COP23. #renewables4climate #ClimateAction #ParisAgreement #SIDS
Policy Brief 11/2017 - Achieving 100% Renewable Energies for Small Island Developing States - the greenwerk. - climate advisory network
How climate finance can accelerate the transition towards 100% renewable energies on island states like the Seychelles.
Download the policy brief
Meet us @ the COP23
07.11.2017
meet the greenwerk. at #COP23 in Bonn
view the video
New report: Status quo of international Adaption Finance
06.11.2017
Follow-up on
#COP23
negotiations: If you are interested in latest developments regarding #adaptation finance or #transparency of support received, consult our guidance fact sheets – developed with partners from
Climate Finance Advisory Service
#ParisAgreement #CFAS #LDCs #SIDS
Download the Report @ cfas.info
New report: Transparency of Support Received
20.05.2017
Follow-up on
#COP23
negotiations: If you are interested in latest developments regarding #adaptation finance or #transparency of support received, consult our guidance fact sheets – developed with partners from
Climate Finance Advisory Service
#ParisAgreement #CFAS #LDCs #SIDS
Download the Report @ cfas.info
the greenwerk. @ the #COP23
03.11.2017
The UN climate conference #COP23 in Bonn is in the starting blocks.
the greenwerk.
will be present; come and meet us in the exhibition area or at our side event activities.
#renewables4climate #ClimateAction
Proud to be part of the CTCN
20.10.2017
the greenwerk.
is now member of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). The #CTCN promotes the accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low carbon and climate resilient development at the request of developing countries. We provide technology solutions, capacity building and advice on policy, legal and regulatory frameworks tailored to the needs of individual countries.
Please visit our profile at the CTCN
.