The IDB, in collaboration with the World Bank Institute and the United Nations Environment Programme, is developing the Carbon Finance Knowledge Network, an initiative that combines the development of a web-based platform, the Carbon Finance Platform, and a series of complementary events to target key actors in Latin America and the Caribbean with the objective of enhancing the region’s ability to access carbon markets.

The platform is designed to respond to the demand for capacity building and exchange of information in Spanish on:

• Carbon project development, including the project cycle
• Characteristics and practical application of specific methodologies and financing mechanisms
• State and evolution of carbon markets, including the CDM and voluntary markets
• Institutional and regulatory environment in each respective country
• Available services and providers in the region
• User-generated exchange of information and lessons for specific sectors and themes

In addition to addressing the fundamental lack of information in Spanish, the Carbon Finance Knowledge Network will facilitate opportunities for cooperation among key stakeholders in sectors or themes (communities of practice). The objective is to connect stakeholders with a broad global understanding of CDM, its specific elements and evolution, and local users that have local and implicit information.

Communities of Practice will find sector-specific information in a common venue, particularly for practitioners in sectors and themes such as transport, financial institutions (commercial and development banks), energy, NAMAs (Nationally appropriate mitigation actions, PoAs (Programmes of in the CDM), VCM and others as demand increases.

The platform is designed to:

• Provide information in Spanish on carbon finance, including both regulated and voluntary markets
• Facilitate exchange of knowledge and experiences among relevant actors in LAC
• Promote the creation of communities of practice in key sectors in the region
   

The Carbon Finance Knowledge Network will be launched at the Fifth Latin American Carbon Forum in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 13-15, 2010. More>>