The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) is a £50 million (US$77 million) initiative that links poor countries with experts on climate change. Its aim is to help developing nations adapt to the consequences of climate change and build capacity for a low-carbon economy. It is run by an alliance of organisations, headed by the giant professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and including: the Overseas Development Institute (a UK-based think tank on development and humanitarian issues); Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano (a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for sustainable development based in Ecuador); LEAD International (a UK-based NGO that aims to inspire leadership in developing countries); South South North, which aims to reduce poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa; and INTRAC (an international NGO training and research centre in the UK).[1]
| File:CDKN-Logo-low-res.png | |
| Formation | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Type | Alliance: Led by PricewaterhouseCoopers and including Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano, LEAD International, South South North and INTRAC |
Key people | Sam Bickersteth, Chief Executive Officer |
| Website | cdkn.org |
CDKN's projects support climate-compatible development
CDKN coordinates the supply of research and policy information from thinktanks, NGOs and universities to governments and civil society organisations in some 60 developing countries. It only acts on requests from nations, and is able to tailor research to countries’ demands.[2] One of the 200 or so projects it has already committed funds to is an initiative to help the Caribbean island of Anguilla increase the amount of energy it produces from renewable sources. CDKN contracted Washington-based renewables consultancy Castalia Strategic Advisors to help amend the island’s electricity legislation so that it could integrate renewable energy technologies into its grid. The overall aim is to decrease the island’s dependence on costly diesel oil and enhance environmental sustainability.[3]
References
- ^ Policymakers to get hotline to climate experts, SciDev Net, 17 March 2010
- ^ New climate network to help developing countries, Vincent Bevins, The Guardian, 12 March 2010
- ^ Soaring Energy Prices Push Anguilla Towards Renewables, Desmond Brown, Caribseek News, 26 March 2012