International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
2012

Handbook on Renewable Energy Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) for Policy Makers and Project Developers

This Handbook focuses on the role that Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) can play in promoting Renewable Energy (RE) in developing countries. The concept of NAMAs was developed in the negotiations carried out under the UNFCCC to denote planned, voluntary greenhouse gas mitigation actions in countries that do not have a legally binding emissions commitment.

Combining development benefits and GHG reduction

Notifying a NAMA thus practically means putting a UNFCCC-backed label on national development activities with mitigation effects. RE being carbon dioxide-free is a perfect candidate for a NAMA as it combines development benefits through the provision of energy with GHG reduction. 

Three case studies: Peru, Kenya and Grenada

Three case studies illustrate the potential role of RE NAMAs in countries of varying size and conditions, namely Peru, Kenya and Grenada. The analysis assesses the RE-specific barriers for each country and the role of NAMAs in overcoming them.

The key findings are:

  • NAMAs are seen as an important instrument that can help overcome institutional, implementation and financing barriers;
  • NAMAs can only become relevant if they are consistent with existing regulatory frameworks and are championed by an important governmental institution. Otherwise, host country ownership will be lacking; and
  • NAMAs should ideally include multiple activities that, when combined, create the necessary enabling environment for RE investment. This requires a substantive understanding of current barriers;
  • The UN backed NAMA framework and the involvement of international and national authorities can make investments under a NAMA more attractive;
  • NAMAs serve to scale up the activities of existing economic instruments (e.g. Clean Development Mechanism) and access potential new funding sources;
  • Successful NAMA implementation relies on availability of reliable data for estimation of baseline scenarios and emission reduction as well as on transparent structures and procedures to evaluate achievements.