The British Embassy supports projects related to the development of a ‘Low Carbon High Growth Economy’, especially those which strengthen the evidence base which supports global decisions on climate change, engage new constituencies, stimulate the development of new policies and promote a shift in investment towards a low carbon economy.

We fund projects in the following areas:

Climate change

Projects that enhance understanding of the impacts of climate change or support the development of national policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Some examples of projects supported in this area include:

• Economia do Clima - This project works with a consortium of leading Brazilian institutions to develop a policy-relevant evidence base to help the Brazilian Government better understand the potential effects of climate change on the Brazilian economy and society. It also aims to develop a set of cost-effective mitigation and adaptation measures to ensure minimal impact on growth and prosperity.
• GHG Protocol - this project, co-ordinated by Getúlio Vargas Foundation, helps companies in Brazil to build their own GHG inventories and develop strategies to reduce their emissions.   
• Climate modelling in South America - The British Embassy supports two projects with the National Institute of Spatial Research (INPE) to build capacity for state-of-the-art climate change forecasting in Brazil and South America. From these two projects, a co-operation channel has been established between the Hadley Centre and INPE, aimed at providing solid scientific evidence to key stakeholders.
• Sustainable construction policies in South America - Implemented by Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), the project supports local governments from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay to set standards for raising energy efficiency in the construction sector. Through the development of policies and action plans that incentive low carbon technologies, it aims to improve energy security and contribute to a more feasible timeframe for investments in energy infrastructure and supply to take effect. 

Energy security  

Projects that support initiatives to make the transition to a low carbon economy.

• The project Local Renewable Model Communities Network promoted the generation, supply and use of renewable energy among municipalities with a focus on the roles and responsibilities of local governments. The initiative was co-ordinated by Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI).

Economic reform

Political will to tackle climate change will only be secured once leaders are confident that domestic and international policies to mitigate against climate change will not undermine their growth and prosperity objectives. Maintaining openness to trade and investment, tackling protectionism and strengthening the multilateral trading system are key to low carbon growth. The FCO's role is to support economic reform in priority middle-income countries, in order to promote growth and increase commitment to an open international economy and multilateral agreements. 

Sustainable development

The main intention is to support projects under the UK-Brazil Sustainable Development Dialogue (SDD) in order to foster sustainable development initiatives and stimulate new models towards a sustainable world.

• Fostering Sustainable Public Procurement, implemented by Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) in partnership with Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais States and Sao Paulo municipalities is an example of an initiative under the SDD scheme. The project supports the creation of methodologies for public procurement targeted at sustainable products.