Decisions on energy policies and associated investment are among the most difficult facing countries, particularly in developing economies. On them may depend billions of dollars and even determine whether energy services are available to the poor. This paper examines how open data and crowdsourcing – the out-sourcing of tasks to a distributed group of people – can assist developing countries. The paper provides a survey of existing research and explores the potential role that open data can play in both supporting analysis and in enhancing public engagement with energy issues. The paper argues that open modelling efforts can improve the utility and accessibility of energy models and also lower the cost of data collection and management.

The Indonesia Climate Change Trust Fund (ICCTF) is designed as a National Climate (Trust) Fund (NCF), which aims to develop innovative ways to link international finance sources with national investment strategies. In general, national climate finance institutions (NCFIs) are mechanisms that enable governments to strengthen national political and fiscal systems through directing financing towards national climate change projects and programmes. As it is country driven, it supports the strengthening of national institutions and coordinates climate change activities to enhance sustainable development and aid effectiveness. This case study provides an initial insight into the institutional set-up of a national climate finance institution. It gives an overview about the evolution of Indonesia's climate change policy and introduces the ICCTF, including the funding sources, design, governance, administration and current operations.

Participation is viewed as an important means for promoting the sustainable management of natural resources. However, it is not always successful. Conflicting values and power inequalities are all factors that can severely undermine participatory processes. This article focuses on differing views of reality and underlying cultural biases. The research states that cultural theory (CT), which subdivides the divergent notions of reality into four worldviews (hierarchism, individualism, egalitarianism, fatalism), could be a useful tool to gain insight in conflicting views of reality and the consequences of these conflicting views for participatory processes. To investigate the value of CT for participation, a study in Java, Indonesia, was carried out to determine to what extent worldviews can be used to predict preferred strategies in forestry problems. The results show that an empirical identification of worldviews was possible.

Year after year, the United Nations climate negotiations seem to fail the test of saving the global climate in the public eye. This briefing paper argues that the expectations placed on the UN climate regime are simply too high, which is damaging as they resonate with sceptics of international climate policy and UN multilateralism in general. Nevertheless, the UN climate regime plays a crucial role by catalysing climate action, building a common vision between different states, enhancing transparency and promoting the diffusion of novel policy ideas and instruments. According to the paper, the role of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) could be further strengthened by allowing it to act as an orchestrator which coordinates the array of initiatives.

This report, published by the Asian Development Bank, examines the economics of climate change in Southeast Asia. The report focuses on Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam in particular. It is found that the region is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its heavily populated coastal areas and its reliance on agriculture. Therefore, Southeast Asia will be required to undertake a relatively high proportion of adaptation measures. It is also argued that the region has a great deal of potential in terms of climate change mitigation and the region should aim to play an important role in a global solution to the climate change crisis. The report concludes by offering a series of policy recommendations relating to: mitigation; adaptation; funding, technology transfer, and international/region cooperation; government policy co-ordination and undertaking more research on climate-related issues.

The Forests and Climate Change Programme (FORCLIME) is a collaborative project implemented by Gesellschaft für_Internationale_Zusammenarbeit_(GIZ) and the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry sector and improve the livelihoods of Indonesia’s poor rural communities. This policy brief discusses the manner in which the FORCLIME initiative is contributing to the development of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in Indonesia. The brief begins by outlining the concept of REDD and FORCLIME’s REDD strategy. It then goes on to discuss project partners, project activities and learning and innovation accomplishments. This document also briefly discusses the Merang REDD Pilot Project.

Climate change is set to have a significant impact on climate-sensitive sectors of national economies, such as agriculture. This report, published by the World Agroforestry Centre, discusses the challenges that climate change brings to smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia, and outlines adaptive measures that can be taken. It begins with a brief general discussion of climate change and moves on to describe the likely impacts for farmers. The following section highlights adaptive strategies available to small-scale farmers in the region. These options include: the diversification income and livelihood activities, altering current management practices, utilizing available carbon finance and altering crop varieties. The report concludes by offering advice to smallholder farmers who want to develop their own climate change adaptation strategy.

This fact sheet describes lessons learnt from the development of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) benefit distribution systems (BDSs) in Viet Nam. The fact sheet is a clear and concise resource for policymakers and REDD+ stakeholders. The lessons for REDD+ initiatives are as follows: 1) the principles of equity, transparency, additionally and performance-relatedness must define BDS; 2) regular independent and external audits of national REDD+ revenues and their distribution are essential; 3) mechanisms such as conditional cash-transfers need to be used to ensure payment is linked to performance; 4) a BDS needs to be linked with monitoring, reporting and verification processes; 5) BDS for national systems are likely to be more complex than project-based approaches; 6) benefit structuring should be delegated to local governance structures; 7) enhanced co-benefits can be incorporated into benefit structuring.