Global Green Growth Institute

Global Green Growth Institute
Member Countries
Abbreviation GGGI
Formation 16 June 2010 (2010-06-16)
Headquarters Seoul, Republic of Korea
Membership
28 Member countries
Council chair
 Ban Ki Moon[1]
Director-General
 Frank Rijsberman
Budget
$35 million (2012)[2]
Staff
100[3]
Website gggi.org @GGGI_Seoul

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international organization headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The organization aims to promote green growth, a growth paradigm that is characterized by a balance of economic growth and environmental sustainability. GGGI provides research and stakeholder engagement for green growth plans, especially in developing countries, aiming to replace the more typical paradigm based on industrial development.

Founded to support green economic growth that simultaneously addresses poverty reduction, job creation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability, GGGI works across four priority areas that are considered to be essential to transforming national economies, including energy, water, land use, and green cities.

GGGI envisions a resilient world achieved through strong, inclusive, and sustainable green growth, and is dedicated to supporting the transition of GGGI Member countries toward a green growth model. In pursuit of these goals, GGGI works with developing and emerging countries to design and deliver programs to demonstrate new pathways for pro-poor, sustainable economic growth.

GGGI supports stakeholders through the delivery of comprehensive products and services designed to assist in developing, financing, and mainstreaming green growth to support the implementation of national economic development priorities and international commitments.

History

GGGI was first launched as a think tank in 2010 by Korean President Lee Myung-bak,[4] and was later converted into an international treaty-based organization in 2012 at the Rio+20 Summit in Brazil.[5]

Founding members

There were 18 founding members: Australia, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ethiopia, Guyana, Indonesia, Kiribati, Mexico, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, the Philippines, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Since its inauguration as an international organization, Fiji, Hungary, Jordan, Mongolia, Peru, Rwanda, Senegal, Thailand, and Vanuatu have become Member countries.

Many GGGI members have demonstrated progress in performance on the biennial Global Green Economy Index (GGEI)[6], the leading global measure of how 80 countries perform in the green economy across the four dimensions of leadership & climate change, efficiency sectors, markets & investment and the environment.

Activities

GGGI works to produce three major outcomes: adoption and implementation of green growth plans; provision of research for policymakers; and private sector engagement in the implementation of the national green growth plans. The organization uses three approaches to achieve these outcomes: Green Growth Planning & Implementation (GGP&I), Knowledge Development & Management (KDM), and Public-Private Cooperation (PPC).[7]

Green growth plans in developing countries

GGGI has worked to provide research and develop green growth plans for sixteen developing countries: Brazil, Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.[8] On June 27, 2014, GGGI and the UN Environment Programme announced a new partnership to cooperate in promoting green growth strategies and action plans in countries around the world.[9]

Green Growth Knowledge Platform

On January 11, 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between GGGI, the UNEP, OECD, and the World Bank to establish the Green Growth Knowledge Platform.[10] This signing was followed by the inaugural Green Growth Knowledge Platform conference in Mexico City.[10]

Relationship with other international bodies

United Nations General Assembly

In December 2013, GGGI was granted Observer Status by the United Nations General Assembly. The status gives GGGI the right to speak at General Assembly meetings and sponsor and sign resolutions. GGGI will also be able to cast procedural votes. Observers are not allowed to vote on resolutions.[11]

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

In November 2013, GGGI was granted status as an Intergovernmental Observer Organization to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the Nineteenth Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC.[12] In June 2015, GGGI and the UNFCCC signed an Memorandum of Understanding to work together on activities aimed at addressing green growth issues in developing countries, by fostering climate resilient and low-emission development that will achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration in the atmosphere.[13]

Green Climate Fund

In January 2015, GGGI was accredited as an observer organization to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The GCF was established by the Parties at the 2010 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference held in Cancun, Mexico, and designated as an operating entity of the Convention’s financial mechanism. GGGI is currently in the process of becoming an accredited entity to the GCF. The Executive Director of the GCF, Mr. Howard Bamsey, is a former Director-General of GGGI.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

GGGI is a founding member of the Green Growth Knowledge Platform together with the OECD. In June 2013, GGGI was granted Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligibility status by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC). GGGI is an observer to the OECD Development Assistance Committee Network on Environment and Development Co-operation (DAC ENVIRONET).

Multilateral Development Banks and UN Regional Commissions

At the Twenty First Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, GGGI together with the multilateral development banks and United Nations regional commissions launched an Inclusive Green Growth Partnership.The Partnership aims to support developing countries to identify green growth opportunities and investments that promote inclusive, shared prosperity, and equitable growth that creates employment and raises the incomes of the poorest. The founding members of the Partnership are GGGI, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.[14]

Global Commission on the Economy and Climate

GGGI is a research partner for the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate's New Climate Economy project. GGGI works together with the World Resources Institute, Climate Policy Initiative, Ethiopian Development Research Institute, Indian Council for Research on International Economic RElations, London School of Economics and Political Science, Overseas Development Institute, Stockholm Environment Institute, and Tsinghua University.[15] The Global Commission is composed of former heads of government and finance ministers, and leaders in the fields of economics, business and finance, and chaired by former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón.[16]

Governance structure

GGGI's governance structure consists of an Assembly, Council, and Secretariat.[17]

Assembly

The Assembly is the supreme organ of GGGI and is composed of all Member countries. Knowledge sharing and learning on green growth between GGGI Members takes place in sessions of the Assembly. These discussions aim to drive the theory and practice of green growth internationally and across the Institute’s four thematic priorities of green cities, energy, land-use and water. In addition, the Assembly appoints the Director-General, advises on the overall direction of GGGI's work, including its partnerships with international bodies, and reviews progress against GGGI's objectives.[17] The Director-General, the expert and non-state actor members of the Council are observers to the Assembly. The Assembly currently meets annually, back to back with the Council, most recently on September 9, 2016, in Jeju, Republic of Korea.[18] The activities of the Assembly are guided by its Rules of Procedure.[19]

Member countries

GGGI has 28 Members: Australia, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kiribati, South Korea, Lao PDR, Mexico, Mongolia, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.[20]

Council

The Council is the executive organ of GGGI and, under the guidance of the Assembly, be responsible for directing the activities of GGGI. Decision making power over GGGI’s (six-year) Strategic Plan and (two-year) Work Program and Budget is vested in the Council. In addition, the Council is responsible for approving GGGI Regulations (e.g. financial, procurement, human resources, etc.) The Council currently meets annually, back to back with the Assembly, most recently on September 9, 2016, in Jeju, Republic of Korea.[18] The activities of the Council are guided by its Rules of Procedure.[21]

The Council has five contributing members elected for a two-year term by the Assembly, five participating members elected for a two-year term by the Assembly, five experts and non-state actors appointed for a two-year term by the Council, the host country and the Director-General, both of whom have a permanent seat on the Council. Contributing members are defined as Member countries that make a multi-year financial contribution of core funding of no less than USD 15 million over three years. Participating members are defined as Member countries that are not contributing members.[17] Expert and non-state actors are recognized authorities in one of five fields directly relevant to GGGI: business, cities/regions, science, finance/investor, and the environment.[21]

Current Members of the Council

Current (2015-2016) contributing members of the Council are Australia, Denmark, Norway, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Current (2015-2016) participating members of the Council are Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Indonesia, with two seats vacant. Current (2015-2016) expert and non-state actors include, the former President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; Dr. Lee Hoesung, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Mr. Mark Watts, Executive Director of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group; Mr. Peter Bakker, President and CEO, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).[22] The current (2015-2016) President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council is former President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Council's Management and Program Sub-Committee

The Council has established a Management and Program Sub-Committee (MPSC) to support effective coordination and operations. The MPSC reviews drafts of the Institute's work program and budget and audited financial statements, and provides an opinion to the Council. In addition the MPSC is responsible for overseeing the Institute's internal control framework. The MPSC includes two audit contact points that provide a functional reporting line for GGGI's Office of Internal Audit and Integrity. In this capacity, the audit contact points review internal audit reports. The 2016 members of the MPSC are Australia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Republic of Korea (chair), Norway, and the United Arab Emirates. The current (2016) Audit Contact Points are the Republic of Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

Institute (Secretariat)

The Institute is the chief operational organ of GGGI and is headed by a Director-General. GGGI is headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea and has operations/presence in 24 partner countries.

The Director-General is nominated by the Council and appointed by the Assembly. The current Director-General of the Institute is Dr. Frank Rijsberman. Dr. Rijsberman's four-year term began on October 1, 2016.[23]

Previous GGGI Director-Generals include the former Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, Mr. Richard (Rick) Samans (2011-2013), the current Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, Mr. Howard Bamsey (2013-2014), and former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mr. Yvo de Boer (2014-2015).

In 2013, GGGI was criticized by two member countries for its financial management: Norway withheld $10 million in donations, citing excessive spending on flights and food by GGGI former Council Chairman Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and both Norway and Denmark demanded an Audit of the organization's finances before renewing support for 2014.[24]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://gggi.org/ban-ki-moon-to-lead-green-growth-movement/
  2. ↑ O’Donnell, Jill Kosch. "The Global Green Growth Institute: On a Mission to Prove Green Growth". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Focus on low carbon technology, says former UN climate chief". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "About GGGI: Organizational Overview". Global Green Growth Institute. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Green Growth for All: Converting the Global Green Growth Institute". United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  6. ↑ http://dualcitizeninc.com/global-green-economy-index/
  7. ↑ "About GGGI: Programs & History". gggi.org. Global Green Growth Institute. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "GGGI Activities: Countries". Global Green Growth Institute. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "GGGI inks preliminary deal with UNEP to promote green economy". Global Post. Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Global Organizations to Expand Cooperation on Green Growth for Development [Press Release]" (PDF). OECD. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  11. ↑ http://gggi.org/gggi-receives-un-general-assembly-observer-status/
  12. ↑ http://gggi.org/gggi-granted-igo-observer-status-at-cop-19/
  13. ↑ http://newsroom.unfccc.int/unfccc-newsroom/un-partners-with-global-green-growth-institute-on-climate-action/
  14. ↑ http://gggi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/GGGI-2015-Annual-Report_web.compressed.pdf
  15. ↑ http://newclimateeconomy.net/content/research-partners
  16. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  17. 1 2 3 http://gggi.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Agreement-on-the-Establishment-of-the-GGGI.pdf
  18. 1 2 http://gggi.org/session/assembly_council_2016/
  19. ↑ http://gggi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/A.4.DC_.2_Decision-on-the-Revision-of-the-Rules-of-Procedure-of-the-Assembly_Final.pdf
  20. ↑ http://gggi.org/about-gggi/people-2/assembly/%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  21. 1 2 http://gggi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/C.8.DC_.2.FINAL_Draft-Decision-on-the-Rules-of-Procedure-of-the-Council_Final.pdf
  22. ↑ http://gggi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/C.8.DC_.4.FINAL_Draft-decision-on-the-Non-State-Actor-Members-of-Council-for-2016-2017_final.pdf
  23. ↑ http://gggi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/A_2016_DC_2_-Decision-on-the-Appointment-of-the-Director-General_FINAL.pdf
  24. ↑ "Norway freezes aid to South Korean climate group". Associated Press. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
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