Multiple Benefits Assessment Framework for Low Emissions Development Projects: A How-to Guide

Why are Multiple Benefits Assessments Useful?

One of the challenges that policymakers face in promoting and justifying low emissions development (LED) or ‘green economy’ projects is effectively articulating and quantifying the positive socio-economic benefits that LED projects produce. To understand and quantify the benefits to the local community and environment arriving from LED projects, SA-LED developed a multiple benefits assessment methodology designed to measure benefits that resulted from LED interventions under SA-LED support. Multiple benefits assessments have become increasingly important tools for the implementation of LED projects worldwide, especially in light of heightened awareness of accounting for economic, social, and environmental impacts in development. The information collected through these assessments can be used to align LED projects with national development goals, encourage investment in LED programs, and inspire further LED projects to effectively address mitigation and development mandates.

How SA-LED Developed and Applied the Multiple Benefits Assessment to Led Projects

SA-LED’s “multiple benefits assessment” framework is based on the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) tool, global sustainable development goals, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicators for assessing multiple benefits. The ICAT provides policymakers globally with tools and support to measure and assess the impacts of their climate actions. It aims to help governments build capacity to measure the effects of their policies and report progress publicly to foster greater transparency, effectiveness, trust, and ambition in climate policies. Drawing from international best practices and contextualized to South Africa, SA-LED focused on the areas presented in Figure 1, below, as indicators of multiple benefits of LED.