Low Emissions Asian Development (LEAD) Program: FAST OUT OF THE GATE HOW DEVELOPING ASIAN COUNTRIES CAN PREPARE TO ACCESS INTERNATIONAL GREEN GROWTH FINANCING

The report focuses on seven countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The research involved a review of over 200 climate change-related funds and financing mechanisms in the Asian region, as well as interviews with 24 development financing institutions, banks, and private sector fund managers. The U.S. Agency for International Development Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) commissioned the study to help Asian countries prepare to access international green growth financing. The report was published in April 2013, based on research conducted from July through December 2012. The study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the available private sector as the primary source of climate finance. The report identifies key issues and opportunities for developing Asian countries to access low-carbon development financing. It highlights the importance of measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions. The study also provides a detailed account of the private sector funds available for climate finance, including asset management companies, private equity, and venture capital, as well as public-private partnerships. The report is organized into two volumes. Volume I focuses on public sector funds and their role in accessing and allocating climate finance. It provides a summary of available private sector funds and highlights the importance of the private sector as the primary source of climate finance. The report also identifies key issues and opportunities for developing Asian countries to access low-carbon development financing. The study was conducted by Nexant, Inc. and ICF International, under contract with USAID/RDMA. The report is available online at http://lowemissionsasia.org/fast-out-gate-vol-1. The study's findings and recommendations are intended to help Asian policymakers and other stakeholders identify ways to fund low-carbon development. The report highlights the importance of measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions. It also emphasizes the need for developing Asian countries to have a clear understanding of their greenhouse gas emissions and to develop a plan to reduce them. The report provides a detailed account of the private sector funds available for climate finance, including asset management companies, private equity, and venture capital, as well as public-private partnerships. The study's findings and recommendations are intended to help Asian policymakers and other stakeholders identify ways to fund low-carbon development. The report is a valuable resource for anyone interested in climate finance and low-carbon development in the Asian region.