Developing a National Climate Compatible Development Plan (CCDP)
The Dominican Republic, through the leadership of the President’s Office, developed a Climate Compatible Development Plan (CCDP) that presents a roadmap to double the size of the economy in twenty years while at the same time cutting emissions by half (a reduction of around 18 MtCO2e). The Plan was endorsed and launched by the President in September 2011 and presented at the UNFCCC-COP 17 in Durban[1] that same year.
Development of the plan involved extensive stakeholder participation and strong government leadership. The consultation process was led by the Office of the President and actively involved around 40 institutions from government, private sector and civil society.
It has had immediate impact, leading to the inclusion of a legally mandated goal of reducing GHG emissions by 25% in twenty years in the country’s Long Term National Development Plan and the introduction of a tax on vehicles related to their level of CO2 emissions, the first of its kind in the country.
The plan has received positive international recognition with the German government agreeing to provide EUR 4.5 million to support a second phase of implementation of the CCDP focused on developing NAMAs with MRV systems covering the cement and waste sectors[2].
- Improving national long-term planning: The CCDP became a technically rigorous policy instrument to orient low carbon decision making processes at a sectorial level. This Plan became not only the first climate change related long term plan of the country, but also one of the first long term plans regardless of sector or topic in the country.
- Providing key input for the National Development Strategy (END 2030): To incorporate the indicator of reducing per capita carbon emissions 25% by 2030 compared to 2010 (3.6 to 2.8 tCO2e per capita). The END 2030 is the first long term planning policy instrument of the Dominican Republic, approved as an organic law (high priority laws that require two thirds of votes in Congress) in January 2012[1].
- International commitments: Based on the previous point the Dominican Republic made an international commitment at COP 18 in Doha to cut 25% of GHG emissions by 2030[2].
- Implementation of vehicle carbon tax: A specific policy that can be already attributed to this plan is the carbon tax on vehicles by CO2 emissions approved in October 2012, which sets a precedent in the country in term of low carbon fiscal policies and opens opportunities for more progressive policies in the future.
- Improving capacity for mitigation: It provides a road map for the highest contributing sectors of GHG emissions and it has already attracted international funding to support mitigation action. Also, although not directly attributable to the CCDP process, institutional strengthening has subsequently become evident in some of the key government institutions that were active in the consultations. Less than one year after the CCDP launch, the Ministries of Economy, Tourism and Agriculture created climate change departments with at least three full time staff, and the National Commission on Energy appointed a permanent climate change focal point.
- Facilitated collaboration: The development process of the CCDP implied a very intense consultation and collaborative process of many government institutions that facilitated a wide exchange of data and information that was previously inaccessible.
- Attracting international support: Based on “quick win” sectors identified in the CCDP, the Government of Germany approved a four year project to design and implement two NAMAs on the cement and waste sectors, following the emission reduction recommendations of the CCDP on those sectors.
[1] http://www.consultoria.gov.do/spaw2/uploads/files/Ley%20No.%201-12.pdf
[2] http://mitigationpartnership.net/dominican-republic-commits-25-reduction-greenhouse-gas-emissions-2030
- Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN)
- McKinsey and Company
- The Office of the President of the Dominican Republic
- The National Council on Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism (NCCCCDM)
- The Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development