Table 1

Capacity building elements and key measurements

Capacity typeDescriptionKey measurements
System level capacity
System level capacitySystem capacity is concerned with the overall policy, economic, regulatory and accountability frameworks and the overall enabling environment within which organizations and individuals operate (World Bank, 2009)
InstitutionalThe capability of an institution to set and achieve social and economic goals, through knowledge, skills, systems, and institutions, but also attitude and behavior (UNDP, 2009)
Institutional capacityCapability to form institutional structure, initiate institutional reform, including governance structures, central and local coordination, and external partnerships to create enabling environment for NDC implementation, horizontal (multi-sector) and vertical (national and local) collaboration
  • -

    improving the enabling environment for the private sector

  • -

    enhancing climate-related institutional, financial and policy reforms

  • -

    developing institutional structures or strengthening existing institutional structures

Policy and legislation capacityThe capacity to assimilate and experiment with novel ideas and practices, and make efficient and strategic decision to support its goals and priorities (Bryan, 2016; Foo, 2015)
  • -

    creating a favorable policy environment for the private sector

  • -

    policy support for long term strategy implementation

  • -

    enhancing climate-related policy reform

  • -

    translating NDCs into concrete policies and programs

Financing capacityThe capacities needed to address financing gaps through resource mobilization and strengthened public and private finance processes. This may include access to capital, via public or private channels, the ability to raise taxes, but also having land and property resources (Kuzemko & Britton, 2020)
  • -

    developing a climate fiscal framework

  • -

    establishing sustainable finance mechanism(s) in priority sectors

  • -

    innovative financing to attract private sector finance

OrganizationalThe internal structure, policies and procedures that determine an organization’s effectiveness and facilitate learning process, at the individual and organizational levels (UNDP, 2009; Merrick, 2001)
Human resource capacitySkill and knowledge sharing and transfer, integrated planning practices and coordinated actions, that bring a collection of individuals together and put the benefits of the enabling environment into action. This also includes technical and managerial skills/abilities, leadership and the need for sensitizing policy makers/decision makers to support the NDC implementation
  • -

    developing energy sector planning and long-term strategy

  • -

    estimating NDC implementation costs

  • -

    developing NDC implementation plans- translating NDCs into concrete policies, programs, and projects

Networking capacityCooperation between ministries and cross sectors, as well as cooperation between different institutional levels, e.g. between the federal or central government and the regional, provincial, or local governments. They also require the cooperation between the government and many private sectors, businesses or other non-governmental organizations (Willems & Baumert, 2003)
  • -

    enhancing coordinated efforts between ministries

  • -

    strengthening public-private sector cooperation

  • -

    facilitating peer-to-peer learning among countries based on similar NDC contexts

Monitoring capacityTransparent and efficient systems and processes to monitor the progress of sustainable capacity development and improvement, including data collection/availability and transparency, data information systems/monitoring platforms and quality of reporting/progress monitoring, including carbon monitoring, GHG inventories etc.
  • -

    strengthening data collection structures

  • -

    enhancing monitoring and transparency systems

  • -

    Carbon Monitoring, GHG inventories

Knowledge and information capacityInformation generation, knowledge sharing, and peer-to-peer learning among countries
  • -

    building awareness and ownership of NDCs at the national level

  • -

    developing/improving the information base

Delivery level capacity
Delivery level capacityCapacities to carry out activities that are necessary to implement actions or programs. These activities may be undertaken by individuals, organizations or coalitions, which all have varying levels of capacity to implement the innovation (Flaspohler, Lesesne, Puddy, Smith, & Wandersman, 2012)
Technology and innovationCapacities to support and manage technological change and to guide and coordinate the overall process of technology development/adaption and deployment to meet development imperatives through technical, policy and financing capacity (UNDESA, 2016; Chaudhary, Sagar, & Mathur, 2012)
Technical and technological capacityTechnical skills, areas for technical assistance and capacity building, technology development for NDC implementation, including energy sector specific capabilities
  • -

    strengthening technical inputs to key ministries and stakeholders

  • -

    facilitating technical assistance and capacity building

  • -

    promoting technology transfer and development

Business innovation capacityProduction and use of new products, services or processes (ways of doing things) over long periods of time (Wilkinson, 2016), including the capability to develop and scale up business models and financing
  • -

    innovative business models for low carbon development, including renewable energy and energy efficiency business models and financing

Business financing capacityThe ability to raise external funding or acquire public and private finances to support its innovation activities (World Bank, 2015)
  • -

    innovative business models

  • -

    innovative financing for low carbon development

Personnel capacity
Personnel capacityThe skills, instincts, abilities, knowledge and experience are needed to perform and execute mandates, to problem-solve and innovate to carry out intended objectives

Source(s): Table by authors

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal