LEDS LAC regional workshop presents low-emission development experiences in Dominican Rep.
hace 10 year
Jorge Villanueva, Communications Coordinator for Latin America at CDKN, shares the most relevant information on the case of the Dominican Republic in terms of mitigation and adaptation, in the framework of the IV Regional Workshop of the LEDS LAC Platform.
A good introduction to start discussions on low emission and resilient development strategies (LEDS) in Latin America is the experience of the Dominican Republic as part of its climate change actions.
It is interesting, for example, the commitment that this country has assumed through its INDC, which foresees a reduction of 25% of GHGs by 2030, taking 2010 as the base year, which is accompanied by the implementation of a low-emission development strategy that works on energy, transportation, forestry and quick wins.
In energy, specifically, priority is given to fuel switching, renewable energies, energy efficiency and reduced self-generation. In transportation, efficiency standards, biofuels and public transportation are addressed. In quick wins, work is being done on cement, waste and tourism.
Climate change as a cross-cutting issue
At the national level, climate change has become a cross-cutting, intersectoral issue, present in both the Political Constitution and the National Development Strategy (END). At this level, the involvement of the Ministry of Economy, a key sector for the implementation of initiatives to address the effects of a changing climate, is extremely important.
In this context, the END incorporates 26 lines of action linked to mitigation and adaptation, articulated with a cross-cutting policy of environmental sustainability and risk management.
On the other hand, the country has important commitments to reform the State in the following areas:
- Regulation, savings and energy efficiency
- Integrated risk management system
- Reform of the water, water and sanitation sector
- Land management plan
- Health surveillance system for the quality of water for human consumption
- Payments for environmental services.
In addition, in terms of programs and projects, the Dominican Republic has been promoting mini-hydroelectric power plant projects, vehicle registration taxes based on CO2 emissions, large-scale reforestation actions, incorporation of mitigation and adaptation projects into the Agricultural Bank's portfolio, and institutional strengthening for solid waste management, among other initiatives.
Facing the challenges
According to Delio Rincón, Head of the Climate Change and Environment Unit of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, the Dominican Republic still needs to work more on financing both nationally and internationally. In this regard, it is estimated that the contributions of international cooperation between 2012 and 2014 amount to approximately US$ 20 million. Likewise, there is a need to improve inter-institutional and interdisciplinary coordination, as well as to strengthen public-private partnerships for the adoption of mitigation and adaptation measures, incorporating large companies and community initiatives and organizations.
It is also worth noting that, according to Moisés Álvarez, CDM and Climate Change Director of the National Climate Change and CDM Council, two of the most complex sectors to work on are transportation and energy, due to the strength of trade unions and economic interests, respectively.
Source: CDKN
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