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The UN Environment-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR PROJECT: PARTNERSHIP FOR ACTION ON GREEN ECONOMY

(PAGE)Annex 3

MID-TERM EVALUATION REPORT

CHINA/ Jiangsu Province - CASE STUDY

Mission Dates: 25 August-12 September-2016Document Date: Full Draft, 12 October 2016; Draft for Comments by Partners, 26 October 2016; Draft for Comments by Stakeholders, 20 November 2016 Final Report, 06 December 2016National Evaluation Consultant:

Mr. Xuebing Sun (Ph.D., Environmental Economics) Mid-term Evaluation Team for PAGE, UNEP

‘The UN Environment-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR Project ‘Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE)’MID-TERM EVALUATION REPORT – CHINA/Jiangsu Province CASE STUDYAugust – December 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS...........................................................................4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................6

A. INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................6

B. THE SUMMARIZED FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS...........................................7

C. KEY LESSONS LEARNED........................................................................................10

D. THE SUMMARIZED RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................11

MAIN REPORT..............................................................................................................14

A. BACKGROUND...........................................................................................................14

B. MID-TERM EVALUATION CRITERIA......................................................................16

C. METHODOLOGY AND TIMEFRAME OF THE MID-TERM EVALUATION........16

D. ASSESSMENT OF PROGRESS TOWARDS OUTCOMES..................................17D.1 AN OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT COUNTRY LEVEL LOGICAL FRAMEWORK..........17D.2 A RECONSTRUCTED THEORY OF CHANGE (RTOC)............................................19D.3 ASSESSMENT OF PROGRESS TOWARDS OUTCOMES..........................................20

E. ASSESSMENT OF ON-WARD PROGRESS TOWARDS PAGE IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF RESULTS POST PAGE..............................................................25

E.1 ASSESSMENT OF ON-WARD PROGRESS TOWARDS PAGE IMPACT......................25E.2 SUSTAINABILITY................................................................................................26

F. IMPACT OF GLOBAL PRODUCTS..........................................................................30

G. REVIEW OF GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE....................31G.1 PROJECT MANAGEMENT...................................................................................31G.2 EFFICIENCY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS............................................................35G.3 FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS..............................................................................35G.4 PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION...............................................................36

H. MEETING COUNTRY NEEDS, WITH EMPHASIS ON POOR AND VULNERABLE..................................................................................................................... 37

I. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................38I.1 THE SUMMARIZED FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS................................................38I.2 KEY LESSONS LEARNED...................................................................................41I.3 THE SUMMARIZED RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................42

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ANNEXES

ANNEX A SUMMARY OF EVALUATION RATING........................................................46

ANNEX B PROJECT COSTS AND CO-FINANCING TABLES....................................50

ANNEX C PAGE JIANGSU (CHINA) PROVINCIAL LOGFRAME................................52

ANNEX D RECONSTRUCTED THEORY OF CHANGE (RTOC)................................63

ANNEX E PAGE CHINA STAKEHOLDERS MAPPING................................................64

ANNEX F LIST OF PROJECT REPORTS REVIEWED OR CONSULTED................73

ANNEX G A LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERVIEWED/MET...................................74

ANNEX H PREPARATION AND READINESS...............................................................76

ANNEX I A PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR THE PAGE CHINA NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE (NSC)..................................................................78

ANNEX J A PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR NATIONAL COORDINATOR..................................................................................................................80

ANNEX K A FULL LIST OF EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR CIRCULATION OF CHINA CASE STUDY......................................................................................................................82

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS12th FYP13th FYPAWPBsAPRsBHRSSBOFCAEPCEICIGCSODEPDHRSSDOCDRCEDZsEIPsEOEPBGEGEOsGGGIGGKPGoCGTCKHDRsIAGICCEET

IEDCIGEIGGILOIPsEITCIRPMDGsMEPMOFMoVMTENC

12th Five year plan for national and social development13th Five year plan for national and social developmentAnnual Work Plans and BudgetsAnnual Progress ReportsBureau of Human Resource and Social SecurityBureau of FinanceChina Academy of Environment PlanningCommission for Economy and InformationCountry Interagency GroupCivil Society OrganizationDepartment of Environment ProtectionDepartment of Human Resource and Social SecurityDepartment of CommerceDevelopment and Reform CommissionEconomic Development ZonesEco Industrial ParksEvaluation OfficeEnvironment Protection BureauGreen EconomyGlobal Environment OutlookGlobal Green Growth InstituteGreen Growth Knowledge PlatformGovernment of ChinaGreen Technology Center KoreaHuman Development ReportsInformal Advisory GroupInternational Cooperation Center for Environmental Economy and TechnologyInternational Environmental Development CentreInclusive Green EconomyInclusive Green GrowthInternational Labour OrganizationIndustrial ParksEconomic and Information Technology CommissionInternational Resource PanelMillennium Development GoalsMinistry of Environment ProtectionMinistry of FinanceMeans of VerificationMid Term EvaluationNational Coordinator

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NGONSCNSOOFAOCPAESPAGEPEECPOEsPRCEEPSORToCSCPSDGsSMARTSOEsToCToTsUNDPUNEPUNIDOUNITARUNWWF

Non-Governmental OrganizationNational Steering CommitteeNational Statistics OfficeOffice of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese AffairesProvincial Academy of Environment SciencesPartnership for Action on Green EconomyProvincial Ecological Evaluation CentrePrivately Owned EnterprisesPolicy Research Center for Environment and Economy, MEPProvincial Statistic OfficeReconstructed Theory of ChangeSustainable Consumption and ProductionSustainable Development GoalsSpecific, Measurable, Assignable/achievable, Realistic and Time-boundState Owned EnterprisesTheory of ChangeTraining of TrainersUnited Nations Development ProgrammeUnited Nations EnvironmentUnited Nations Industrial Development OrganizationUnited Nations Institute for Training and ResearchUnited NationsWorldwide Fund for Nature

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The UN Environment-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR PROJECT: PARTNERSHIP FOR ACTION ON GREEN ECONOMY

(PAGE)MID-TERM EVALUATION REPORT – CHINA/Jiangsu

Province CASE STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A. Introduction1. The UN Environment-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR project ‘Partnership for Action on Green Economy (hereafter PAGE)1 contributes to the transformation of national economic structures in developing countries with the ultimate intention to achieve environmental sustainability, decent job creation, reduced poverty, and improved human well-being. China joined PAGE at national level based on the consensus between United Nations Environment (UNEP) and Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) in October 2014. Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP) designated Policy Research Centre for Environment and Economy (PRCEE) of MEP as the leading agency of PAGE China to implement the PAGE projects in China. PAGE China started its work in China in June 2015 and the first case study in Jiangsu Province in August 2015. The goal of PAGE China in Jiangsu Province is to transform Jiangsu’s economy to eradicate poverty, increase social equity and decent jobs, strengthen livelihoods and environmental stewardship, and sustain growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, and the overall objective of PAGE China is reframing economic policies around sustainability and putting in place enabling policy conditions, reforms, incentives, business models and partnerships to catalyse greater action and investment in green technologies, and natural, human, and social capitals.

2. The case study on PAGE China (Jiangsu Province) was conducted through consulting project related documents, interviewing stakeholders and visits to Jiangsu Province and Dongying City of Shandong Province. Prior to the MTE Mission starting in Beijing City, China on 20 September 2016, the National Evaluation Consultant consulted project related documents, including the original Project Document, scoping reports, meeting minutes, Progress Reports (PRs), Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWPBs) and key products of the project, e.g. a stocktaking report on green economy in Jiangsu Province. Additionally, the National Evaluation Consultant also consulted UN Environment Evaluation Policy and the UN Environment Programme Manual. External relevant documents on green financing2, national and provincial

1The UNEP-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR Partnership for Action on Green Economy: http://www.un-page.org2 Guiding Opinions on Building a Green Financial System in China, jointly issued by People’s Bank of China, Ministry of Finance, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Environment Protection, China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission, China Insurance Regulatory Commission: http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0901/c1001-28682534.html

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http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0901/c1001-28682534.html

http://www.un-page.org/


policies on eco-compensation3, ecological civilization4, employment promotion5, western development6, poverty alleviation7, and county/regional conditions were also reviewed.

3. The National Evaluation Consultant interviewed key personnel of the partners and its resident offices in China and key stakeholders in Jiangsu Province and Dongying City of Shandong Province, a city inspired by PAGE and interested in working with PAGE, from 25 August to 13 September 2016. The China Case Study focused on Jiangsu Province to assess performance of PAGE in China, including ownership, stakeholder participation, impacts, potential replicability, and sustainability of PAGE China’s results in the future. Information collected from visits and interviews with stakeholders in Dongying City of Shandong Province also informed China Case Study of the MTE.

B. The Summarized Findings and Conclusions 4. The conclusions of this mid-term evaluation are overall positive. PAGE China has made relatively good progress in completing the planned activities, though the start-up of actual activities under PAGE China was just in August 2015. The project implementation has been satisfactory in terms of outputs completed and project management, particularly recognizing the project design complexity, i.e. ambitious goals supported by limited financial resources available and the novelty of the topic.

5. The evaluation found that the project has been given a high priority by all partners and stakeholders, and more importantly by Chinese governments at national and provincial levels and enterprises. This has created a high level of awareness about PAGE and about importance of green economy and inclusive growth Economy in China’s sustainable development agenda. The interest in PAGE also reflects the growing concerns in China about the environmental impacts of economic development, inclusiveness and fairness and sharing of development results.

6. Relevance: The project objective is very valid and all projects activities are very relevant to the national priorities of China in promoting green economy, which

3 Opinions on Improving Ecological Compensation Mechanism in China, issued by the General Office of the State Council: http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2016/content_5076965.htm; Ecological Compensation Officially Implemented in Jiangsu Province, Xinhua News Agency: http://news.xhby.net/system/2014/01/03/019833731.shtml 4 Ecological Civilization Reform Plan, issued by the CPC Central Committee and State Council: http://www.mof.gov.cn/zhengwuxinxi/zhengcefabu/201509/t20150923_1472456.htm; Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Accelerating the Construction of Ecological Civilization: http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2015/0506/c1001-26953754.html5 Employment Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China: http://www.gov.cn/flfg/2007-08/31/content_732597.htm; Notice on Implementing the Supporting Policies for Promoting Employment, issued by of the General Office of Jiangsu Provincial Government: http://job.chsi.com.cn/jyzd/jyzc/200904/20090414/21529289.html6 Circular Concerning Policies and Measures for the Implementation of the Western Development Program, issued by the State Council: http://www.gs.xinhuanet.com/dfpd/2007-05/31/content_10178289.htm;7 Notice on Issue of Implementation Resettlement Plan for Poverty Alleviation under the 13th FYP, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission: http://www.sdpc.gov.cn/zcfb/zcfbghwb/201610/t20161031_824916.html; http://www.cpad.gov.cn/art/2016/4/29/art_46_48830.html

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http://www.cpad.gov.cn/art/2016/4/29/art_46_48830.html

http://www.sdpc.gov.cn/zcfb/zcfbghwb/201610/t20161031_824916.html

http://www.gs.xinhuanet.com/dfpd/2007-05/31/content_10178289.htm

http://job.chsi.com.cn/jyzd/jyzc/200904/20090414/21529289.html

http://www.gov.cn/flfg/2007-08/31/content_732597.htm

http://www.mof.gov.cn/zhengwuxinxi/zhengcefabu/201509/t20150923_1472456.htm

http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2015/0506/c1001-26953754.html

http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2016/content_5076965.htm

http://news.xhby.net/system/2014/01/03/019833731.shtml


include: 1) deepening reform of institutional mechanisms and creating a livable ecological environment; 2) promoting innovation – driven approach, establishing green mode of production; 3) improving the governance system; 4) promoting inclusiveness and fairness, sharing green development results. These priorities are highlighted in a number of actual policy developments like the 13 th FYPs8, and national and provincial policies on green financing, eco-compensation, ecological civilization, employment promotion, western development, poverty alleviation, etc. Outputs are consistent with the defined goals and objectives, and activities to move along the entire casual chain are good.

7. Performance: Good progress in implementation has been made. Implementation of the workplan for 2015 and 2016 was generally cost efficient. All project activities have been taken up actively and in general results have been achieved as foreseen in the work plans and project definition. As of the MTE, US$ 385,000 of the total US$ 600,000 budget has been allocated. Commitments of project stakeholders are clear, as demonstrated in all the presentations and interviews. However, due to the absence of a long-standing multi-stakeholder mechanism and an in-country Secretariat, e.g. a PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) composed of representatives of partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial levels, the project experienced some difficulties in ensuring substantive technical inputs. Given the ambitious goal of the PAGE design in policy reform, the financial resources availability and allocation for PAGE China needs to be further increased in the next two years.

8. Effectiveness: The results to date are generally in line with the proposed work plan. Different opinions exist on the approach taken by the project, e.g. dimensions of inclusive green economy (IGE) the logic between the proposed activities and outcomes to be covered by the project under PAGE, and practical application in Jiangsu Province. These concepts, approaches, mechanisms and tools and the extent to which they can be used by the Chinese agencies and enterprises need to be further defined, discussed and assessed for potential dissemination and replication in the remaining time of the project lifecycle. The remaining period of PAGE China, especially fiscal year 2016 – 2017, will be very important. More emphasis has to be given on development of follow-up actions based on rapidly changing policy environments (financing, trade, investment, industrial development and social development), development of appropriate industrial technologies and social governance, as well as the Stocktaking Report of Green Economy in Jiangsu Province. As the project progresses, there are increasing needs for more technical steering, advisory and financial support for the project implementation.

8 The 13th FYP for National Economic and Social Development of China: http://finance.sina.com.cn/china/20151103/160123664965.shtml

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http://finance.sina.com.cn/china/20151103/160123664965.shtml


9. Efficiency: Efficiency of the projects looks sound, in general the activities are taken up cost effectively. Financial progress is in line with physical progress made. For most of the project stakeholders it is a new experience to implement a project focusing on inclusive green economy (IGE) according to the theories and principles introduced by PAGE China. This has led to minor delays. However, the major delay PAGE China has experienced is the start of the 2016-2017 activities. Since only a small part of the funding has been received for PAGE China, no concrete activities under 2016-2017 have been started yet. Timely disbursement of project funding could improve efficiency. Regarding these aspects, more technical guidance from global PAGE Secretariat and UN Environment as lead agency for China, could have helped, e.g. in the use of logical frameworks, properly interpreting the theory and concept of inclusive green economy (IGE) into tangible activities that address interests and concerns of both PAGE and participating stakeholders at national and provincial levels in China.

10. Institutional Arrangement and Monitoring & Evaluation: As of the MTE, the UN Environment Office in Geneva generally coordinated PAGE China implementation with an interim National Coordinator designated by UN Environment. As of the MTE, an institutionalized long-standing multi-sectoral mechanism has not been established to manage PAGE China’s work. Project planning and implementation was mainly discussed through a Country Interagency Group (CIG) composed of UN agencies’ China offices, and technical advice for project design and implementation were mainly mobilized through an Informal Advisory Group (IAG) with experts from international agencies, national and local research institutes. However, these groups are neither institutionalized nor empowered with authorities in managing and steering PAGE China’s implementation. Some challenges were experienced by PAGE China, particularly in in-country coordination and technical steering, establishing synergies with other on-going policy initiatives and major programmes supported by domestic funding and international agencies, and policy advocacy and influencing. It is envisaged that continuous absence of an institutionalized long-standing multi ministerial stakeholder platform or committee could have negative impacts on long-term sustainability of PAGE China’s results. Currently the project monitoring and reporting are very much activity focused with insufficient emphasis on monitoring impacts of project deliverables. Since PAGE China is policy reform oriented, project impacts on policy reform process should be monitored throughout the whole policy process. The project should further strengthen its monitoring and reporting revisiting and revising the indicator system and allocating sufficient budget.

11. Impact: The potential impact of PAGE is likely to be high at provincial and municipal policy levels. The Project Document set high expectations of providing support to the Chinese authorities in their efforts of reframing economic policies around sustainability and putting in place enabling policy conditions, reforms, incentives, business models and partnerships to catalyze greater action and

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investment in green technologies, and natural, human, and social capitals by the end of the project. The progress toward this result has been moderate and a large part still has to be achieved in the remaining years of PAGE China. This assessment reflects the need now to concentrate on further developing concrete activities that will generate policy recommendations and key project knowledge products, and demonstrating effective replication of the project results elsewhere in China. Additional work has to be done to interpret project results so as to increase policy impacts at provincial and municipal levels, and national level if possible. Additional work is required on awareness promotion and capacity building, case studies and other technical and policy reports to make the results more accessible for policy development.

12. Sustainability: The sustainability of the PAGE China is likely to be high. The activities of the projects are generally in line with top priorities of the project partners and Governments at provincial and municipal levels. However more work is needed for institutionalizing project results in the governance system. The evidence so far suggests that the increased awareness and capacity of the Governments, private sector and the public toward inclusive green economy and environment sustainability in the face of rapid economic development pressures will sustain interest and support for the project objectives. The critical issue of operationalizing the project concepts and tools and institutional uptake will affect the sustainability of PAGE inputs after project completion. Adoption of the project experiences by these institutions will have significant impact on financing and planning. Given the current political structure and governance arrangements, and division of responsibilities among the concerned government stakeholders in China, political champions at provincial and municipality levels could help secure long term buy-in of inclusive green economy by line agencies, and mainstream it into financing and planning decision making processes. However, more work in identifying senior political champions in the finance sector in target provinces & cities and measures to be used for leveraging political importance are still to be done.

C. Key Lessons Learned13. Ensuring Integrity of the Introduced Approach in Acceptance and Application: Inclusive green economy is highly relevant to economic transition and social equity and inclusion in China and is a significant change from traditional practices, which requires time to become fully accepted by key sectors that are crucial for economic transition and improvement of social equity and inclusion. Moreover, efforts should be made to communicate the parallels and synergies between Ecological Civilization and Inclusive Green Economy, and to ensure that concepts and principles introduced by the PAGE China are fully reinforced by involved line agencies in planning and programming, so as to avoid reversion of the introduced approach to sectoral-based approaches.

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14. Institutional Capacity and Awareness Building for Establishing An Enabling Environment: For the approach promoted by PAGE China to be effective and successful, cooperating and collaborating institutions and sectors must be supported by prospective knowledge and skills for policymaking and planning, e.g. knowledge and practical skills in combining top-down and bottom-up approaches, useful instruments and best practices in balancing economic, environmental and social considerations for financing and planning decision making. Strong awareness among stakeholders, especially the policy makers, enterprises and public, on the state of the environment and social equity and inclusion is important for gaining support for government plans and strategies for green economy and for overall environmental management and social inclusion in general. Awareness building should be complemented by an effective information-sharing multimedia system. Sufficient budget allocation is needed.

15. Importance of A Knowledge Products Database and Information-sharing Mechanism: Clarification on the institutional role of each agency regarding Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) provides a clear basis for defining the types of knowledge products to be developed for policy influencing and capacity building by each participating agency in promoting green economy and inclusive growth. For information sharing to be effective and useful, the “institutional value” of knowledge products should be recognized and access to knowledge products should be made available in a timely and practical manner not only for participating government agencies but also for all government agencies that have roles in the transformation of economy and social equity and inclusion.

D. The Summarized Recommendations 16. Project Design & Planning: It is recommended that PAGE China take the following steps to further improve the project design and planning: 1) A review of the logical framework should be prepared and implemented for the remainder of the project with an emphasis on clearly defining outcomes and outputs at the policy level and addressing the confusion with national outputs and provincial outputs indicators in the logframe. 2) Statements of specific outcomes and outputs (national) of the logframe should be rephrased in a clear manner. 3) During the remaining project period, PAGE China should aim for operationalization of results of studies, focusing early on policy formulation. Studies should be strategically focused on facilitating achievement of targeted policy outcomes with identified entry points for influencing on-going policy reform, preparatory work of policy reform and policy implementation performance assessment in selected sectors. 4) The targeted scope of policy work and rationale for that scope should be clearly delineated in the updated logframe. 5) A follow-up plan of the Stocktaking report launched in Jiangsu Province should be developed and implemented. 6) A dissemination and replication plan of the project model at national level should be developed and implemented.

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17. Partners & Stakeholders Involvement: It is recommended that, PAGE China aims to further enhance partners and stakeholders’ involvement and participation, including involvement of partnering UN agencies, their country offices residing in China, and government agencies who have key responsibilities in financing, and industrial and social development (e.g. issues relating to women workers, youth rural migrant workers and vulnerable groups). Inclusive green economy issues may be addressed through an effective multi-stakeholder participation mechanism, and policy incentives, that clearly defines the roles and functions as well as the benefits that stakeholders may derive through their active participation. This facilitates finding practical and realistic solutions to address inclusive green economy issues at their roots.

18. Project M&E: It is recommended that PAGE China add a six monthly report and quarterly update into its current monitoring plan. Greater effort and debate should be put into developing a specific, measurable, assignable/achievable, realistic and time-bound (SMART) indicators system. It is recommended that PAGE China revisits and revises the indicator system, adds baselines and targets (gender disaggregated) under each clearly defined outcome, output and activity in the logframe, reduces the number of indicators, and reviews and adequately identifies the Means of Verification (MoV). Additionally, the MTE strongly recommends that follow-up monitoring in the remaining time of the project and after the project closes is adopted: (i) whether the project will truly have broader impact beyond its own project intervention sites and on replication sites; and (ii) whether the project results will be sustainable in replication sites. As part of this work, it will be important to see cases in which there has been transformational change towards inclusive green economy and where there was a need for follow-up investment and how those needs were addressed.

19. Institutional Arrangements and Implementation: In order to address the challenges in in-country coordination and technical steering and support to PAGE implementation, establishing synergies with other on-going policy initiatives and major programmes supported by domestic funding and international agencies, policy advocacy and influencing and impacts reporting, it is recommended that PAGE China should establish a PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) as soon as possible. The NSC would be composed of representatives of partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial levels with support of a Secretariat that may be hosted by Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE) of the Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP). This mechanism can be also used in the future for leveraging implementation lessons learned from PAGE China. The members of PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) and the Secretariat can offer contributions to PAGE China by providing policy, technical advisory inputs, leveraging, cross-sectoral resources (technical and financial) and dissemination, and facilitating sustainability of PAGE’s work after project completion.

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20. Increasing Financial Resources Allocation: The financial resources allocation for PAGE China needs to be further increased in the next two years. It is recommended that PAGE (Global) allocate additional financial resources from the PAGE global budget for 1) enhanced work on social development including gender participation and social security in selected industrial sectors and Economic Development Zones (EDZ) and Industrial Parks (IPs); 2) monitoring & evaluation and reporting on policy advocacy, replication and impact, as well as associated additional deeper research (the current budget allocation is not sufficient for results oriented reporting), and 3) operations and functioning of the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) and the in- country Secretariat.

21. Inter-province/country Experiences Sharing: It is recommended that (i) PAGE partners (Global) should find an institutionally and financially practical way to consolidate and disseminate experiences, knowledge and technology from PAGE in China so that Project concepts, approaches, mechanisms, tools, guidelines, policy recommendations and other key knowledge products should be shared with those of each partner agency and made available more widely - and vice versa with other PAGE partner countries. (ii) PAGE China should initiate more technical interactions with projects financed by domestic and international funding resources to establish synergies with strategically-selected on-going programmes, projects and policy initiatives, e.g. EU Switch-Asia9, and to provide technical support to implement and consolidate project results; (iii) PAGE China and its counterparts in China should explore opportunities and possibilities for strengthened exchange and experience-sharing among PAGE countries with support from the PAGE Secretariat (Global).

9 EU SWITCH ASIA: http://www.switch-asia.eu

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http://www.switch-asia.eu/


The UNEP-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR PROJECT: PARTNERSHIP FOR ACTION ON GREEN ECONOMY

(PAGE)MID-TERM EVALUATION REPORT - CHINA CASE STUDY

MAIN REPORT

A. Background1. UNEP-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR project ‘Partnership for Action on Green Economy (hereafter PAGE)10 aims to contribute to the transformation of national economic structures in developing countries with the ultimate intention to achieve environmental sustainability, decent job creation, reduced poverty, and improved human well-being. Under this vision, the goal of PAGE is to support the establishment of enabling conditions for national inclusive green economies in each participating country including through providing policy analysis and support in the development of strategies and policies for national inclusive green economies and through the identification of financial and investment needs.

2. China joined PAGE at national level based on the consensus between UNEP and Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) in October 2014. Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP) designated Policy Research Centre for Environment and Economy (PRCEE) of MEP as the leading agency of PAGE China to implement the PAGE projects in China. PAGE China started its work in China in June 2015 and the first case study in Jiangsu Province in August 2015. The goal of PAGE China in Jiangsu Province is to transform Jiangsu’s economy to eradicate poverty, increase social equity and decent jobs, strengthen livelihoods and environmental stewardship, and sustain growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The overall objectives are reframing economic policies around sustainability and putting in place enabling policy conditions, reforms, incentives, business models and partnerships to catalyse greater action and investment in green technologies, and natural, human, and social capitals.

3. Under this overall objective, PAGE China is delivering results in three specific outcome areas: Specific Outcome 1), Jiangsu (China) has reinforced and integrated inclusive green economy (IGE) goals and targets into SDG-aligned national economic and development planning through multi-stakeholder collaboration; Specific Outcome 2), Jiangsu (China) has implemented evidence-based sectoral and thematic reforms in line with national IGE priorities, and Specific Outcome 3), Jiangsu (China) has strengthened individual, institutional and planning capacities for IGE action to contribute to the transformation of national economic structures with

10 The UNEP-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR Partnership for Action on Green Economy: http://www.un-page.org

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the ultimate intention to achieve environmental sustainability, decent job creation, reduced poverty, and improved human well-being.

4. PAGE China (Jiangsu Province) started its implementation in Jiangsu Province with a pre-scoping mission in August 2015 and a joint scoping mission in November 2015 in cooperation with the Policy Research Centre for Environment and Economy (PRCEE) of Ministry of Environment Protect (MEP) and the Government of Jiangsu Province11. The lead agency of PAGE in China is UNEP, which coordinates the interagency work of the five PAGE partners, UNEP, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO and UNITAR. Key stakeholders of PAGE include national, provincial and municipal government agencies and academic institutions, as well as NGOs and enterprises. The Policy Research Centre for Environment and Economy (PRCEE) of MEP has been the key government agency that coordinates the country work of PAGE China, including ensuring active participation of multi-sectoral stakeholders, including the Development and Reform Commission, Finance Bureaux, Commission for Economy and Information, Economic/Industrial Development Zone Administration, corporations including State Owned Enterprises and Privately Owned Enterprises, and so on.

5. The PAGE China implementation was generally coordinated by UNEP Offices in Geneva and Beijing. While a senior professional at UNEP China was appointed by UNEP as interim National Coordinator, the National Coordinator in China will be recruited in fiscal year 2016-2017. At the provincial level, the Provincial Departments of Environment Protection (DEP) of Jiangsu Province was a key partner of PAGE China. Technical backstopping and experts’ inputs were provided by UNEP and other PAGE agencies, and professionals from the involved stakeholders and experts at national and provincial levels. However, a multi-stakeholders mechanism had not been established to manage PAGE China’s work when the MTE took place.

6. The Mid Term Evaluation was undertaken in accordance with the UNEP Evaluation Policy and the UNEP Programme Manual, and based on the Inception Report of the MTE, the UNEP Evaluation Manual, Methodology and Processes, to review progress to date (in terms of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency), determine the likelihood of the project achieving its intended outcomes and impacts, including their sustainability, and to recommend any revisions to the project implementation that may be needed during the remaining period.

7. The MTE of PAGE China was conducted through consulting project related documents, interviewing stakeholders and visits to participating province and Dongying City of Shandong province, a city inspired by PAGE and interested in working with PAGE. Prior to the MTE Mission starting in Beijing City, China on 20 September 2016, the China Support Consultant consulted project related

11 The PAGE China was officially launched in Nanjing City of Jiangsu Province, ifeng News report: http://js.ifeng.com/business/cj/news/detail_2015_11/16/4560635_0.shtml

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http://js.ifeng.com/business/cj/news/detail_2015_11/16/4560635_0.shtml


documents, including the original Project Document, scoping reports, meeting minutes, Annual Progress Reports (APRs), Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWPBs) and key products of the project, e.g. a stocktaking report on green economy in Jiangsu Province. Additionally, the China Support Consultant also consulted UNEP Evaluation Policy12 and the UNEP Programme Manual13. External documents on green financing, national and provincial policies on eco-compensation, ecological civilization, employment promotion, western development, poverty alleviation, and county/regional conditions were also reviewed. A list of documents reviewed is provided in Annex F.

B. Mid-term Evaluation Criteria8. The MTE assessed the project with respect to a minimum set of evaluation criteria grouped in five categories: (1) Strategic Relevance; (2) Attainment of objectives and planned result, which comprises the assessment of outputs achieved, effectiveness and likelihood of impact; (3) Sustainability and replication; (4) Efficiency; (5) Factors and processes affecting project performance, including preparation and readiness, implementation and management, stakeholder participation and public awareness, country ownership and driven-ness, financial planning and management, UNEP supervision and backstopping, and project monitoring and evaluation. A Summary of Evaluation Rating is included in Annex A.

C. Methodology and Timeframe of the Mid-term Evaluation9. The findings of the evaluation was based on the following: (a) A desk review of: 1) Relevant background documentation, inter alia the PAGE Operational Strategy 2016-202014, PAGE project document, UNEP internal project document, draft PAGE Operating Guidelines; 2) Project design documents (including minutes of the project design review meeting at UNEP approval); Annual Work Plans and Budgets, revisions to the project (Project Document Supplement), the logical framework and its budget; 3) Project reports such as financial reports and progress reports from UNEP, meeting minutes, relevant correspondence etc. (b) Interviews (individual or in group) with: 1) UNEP, ILO, UNITAR, UNDP, UNIDO Project Managers and key project officers; 3) UNEP project team;4) Project partners, and relevant resource persons. (c) Field visits/field studies: two provinces, namely Jiangsu Province and Shandong Province (Dongying City of Shandong Province) were visited during the evaluation process. A list of key stakeholders interviewed/met is included in Annex G.

10. The MTE Mission interviewed key personnel of the partners and its resident offices in China and key stakeholders in Jiangsu Province and Dongying City of Shandong Province, P.R. China from 25 August to 13 September 2016. Based on 12 UNEP Project Evaluation Policy: http://web.unep.org/evaluation/policy-standards/evaluation-policy 13 UNEP Programme Manual: http://www.unep.org/pcmu/project_manual/Manual_chapters/Project_cycle.pdf 14 PAGE Operating Guidelines (Draft): http://www.un-page.org

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http://www.unep.org/pcmu/project_manual/Manual_chapters/Project_cycle.pdf

http://web.unep.org/evaluation/policy-standards/evaluation-policy


the initial stakeholders mapping provided by PAGE and interviews and meetings with key stakeholders, a supplementary stakeholders mapping was also conducted. The results of the supplementary stakeholders mapping is included in Annex E.

11. The MTE focused on Jiangsu Province to assess performance of PAGE in China, including ownership, stakeholder participation, impacts, potential replicability, and sustainability of PAGE China’s results in the future. Information collected from visits and interviews with stakeholders in Dongying City of Shandong Province also informed the MTE.

D. Assessment of Progress Towards OutcomesD.1 An Overview of the Current Country Level Logical Framework

12. As the second largest economy in the world, China has not only positioned itself as an emerging economic power, the country is also gradually shifting its development focus toward sustainability. Ecological Civilization, which is the Chinese concept for a sustainable development framework, has received unprecedented attention from high-level leadership in China at both central and local levels, and is also gaining recognition internationally. The 13 th Five-Year plan (2016-2020)15 has also placed green development as one of the top national priorities, which indicates clear development direction for provincial governments to implement.

13. The goal of PAGE China is to transform Jiangsu’s economy to eradicate poverty, increase social equity and decent jobs, strengthen livelihoods and environmental stewardship, and sustain growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Project overall objective is reframing economic policies around sustainability and putting in place enabling policy conditions, reforms, incentives, business models and partnerships to catalyse greater action and investment in green technologies, and natural, human, and social capitals. Under this overall objective, PAGE China is delivering results in three specific outcome areas, i.e. Specific Outcome 1, Jiangsu (China) has reinforced and integrated inclusive green economy (IGE) goals and targets into SDG-aligned national economic and development planning through multi-stakeholder collaboration; Specific Outcome 2) Jiangsu (China) has implemented evidence-based sectoral and thematic reforms in line with national IGE priorities, and Specific Outcome 3) Jiangsu (China) has strengthened individual, institutional and planning capacities for IGE action to contribute to the transformation of national economic structures with the ultimate intention to achieve environmental sustainability, decent job creation, reduced poverty, and improved human well-being). In consistence with the current logframe of PAGE China, the goal, objectives, 3 specific outcomes and the corresponding 8 outputs (national) are shown in Table 1. A full logical framework is included in Annex C.15 The 13th FYP for National Economic and Social Development of China: http://sh.xinhuanet.com/2016-03/18/c_135200400.htm

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http://sh.xinhuanet.com/2016-03/18/c_135200400.htm


14. The project objective is very valid and all projects activities are very relevant to national priorities of China in promoting green economy, which include: 1) deepening reform of institutional mechanisms and creating a livable ecological environment, 2) promoting innovation – driven approach, establishing green mode of production; 3) improving the governance system; 4) promoting inclusiveness and fairness, sharing green development results. These priorities are highlighted in a number of actual policy developments like the 13th FYPs16, and national and provincial policies on green financing17, eco-compensation18, ecological civilization19, employment promotion20, western development21, poverty alleviation22, etc. Outputs are consistent with the defined goals and objectives, and activities to move along the entire casual chain are good.

Table 1 Goal, Objectives, Outcomes and Outputs of PAGE China

Impact (Overall Long Term Goal, by 2030)

Jiangsu (China) is transforming its economy to eradicate poverty, increase social equity and decent jobs, strengthen livelihoods and environmental stewardship, and sustain growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (from global log-frame)

Outcomes (Medium Term Objectives, 2014-2017)

Overall Outcome: Jiangsu (China) reframed economic policy around sustainability and put in place enabling policy conditions, reforms, incentives, business models, and partnerships to catalyze greater action and investment in green technologies, and natural, human, and social capital (based on global log-frame)

Specific Outcomes (based on global log-frame)

1. Jiangsu (China) has reinforced and integrated inclusive green economy (IGE) goals and targets into SDG-aligned national economic and development planning through multi-stakeholder collaboration2. Jiangsu (China) has implemented evidence-based sectoral and thematic reforms in line with national IGE priorities3. Jiangsu (China) has strengthened Individual, institutional and

16 The 13th FYP for National Economic and Social Development of China: http://finance.sina.com.cn/china/20151103/160123664965.shtml; The 13th FYP for Economic and Social Development of Jiangsu Province: http://jiangsu.sina.com.cn/news/m/2016-03-31/detail-ifxqxcnr5084893.shtml 17 Guiding Opinions on Building a Green Financial System in China, jointly issued by People’s Bank of China, Ministry of Finance, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Environment Protection, China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission, China Insurance Regulatory Commission: http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0901/c1001-28682534.html 18 Opinions on Improving Ecological Compensation Mechanism in China, issued by the General Office of the State Council: http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2016/content_5076965.htm; Ecological Compensation Officially Implemented in Jiangsu Province, Xinhua News Agency: http://news.xhby.net/system/2014/01/03/019833731.shtml 19 Ecological Civilization Reform Plan, issued by the CPC Central Committee and State Council: http://www.mof.gov.cn/zhengwuxinxi/zhengcefabu/201509/t20150923_1472456.htm; Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Accelerating the Construction of Ecological Civilization: http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2015/0506/c1001-26953754.html 20 Employment Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China: http://www.gov.cn/flfg/2007-08/31/content_732597.htm; Notice on Implementing the Supporting Policies for Promoting Employment, issued by of the General Office of Jiangsu Provincial Government: http://job.chsi.com.cn/jyzd/jyzc/200904/20090414/21529289.html 21 Circular Concerning Policies and Measures for the Implementation of the Western Development Program, issued by the State Council: http://www.gs.xinhuanet.com/dfpd/2007-05/31/content_10178289.htm;22 Notice on Issue of Implementation Resettlement Plan for Poverty Alleviation under the 13th FYP, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission: http://www.sdpc.gov.cn/zcfb/zcfbghwb/201610/t20161031_824916.html; http://www.cpad.gov.cn/art/2016/4/29/art_46_48830.html

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http://www.cpad.gov.cn/art/2016/4/29/art_46_48830.html

http://www.sdpc.gov.cn/zcfb/zcfbghwb/201610/t20161031_824916.html

http://www.gs.xinhuanet.com/dfpd/2007-05/31/content_10178289.htm

http://job.chsi.com.cn/jyzd/jyzc/200904/20090414/21529289.html

http://www.gov.cn/flfg/2007-08/31/content_732597.htm

http://www.mof.gov.cn/zhengwuxinxi/zhengcefabu/201509/t20150923_1472456.htm

http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2015/0506/c1001-26953754.html

http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2016/content_5076965.htm

http://news.xhby.net/system/2014/01/03/019833731.shtml

http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0901/c1001-28682534.html

http://finance.sina.com.cn/china/20151103/160123664965.shtml

http://jiangsu.sina.com.cn/news/m/2016-03-31/detail-ifxqxcnr5084893.shtml


planning capacities for IGE action [based on global logframe]Outputs 1.1 Green Economy Policymaking Indicators

2.1: Green Industry Certification Scheme2.2: Network of Eco Industrial Parks2.3: Energy Transition Assessment2.4: Exploring the Role of Trade in Transition to a Green Economy3.1 Institutional Capacity Development3.2 Individual Capacity Development (in addition to individual capacity development activities included under outcome 1 and outcome 2)3.3 Provincial Planning, Coordination and Communication

D.2 A Reconstructed Theory of Change (RToC)

15. In the mid-term evaluation the objectives, the intervention strategy and the monitoring and indicator system were examined with regard to their logic, validity and applicability. The analysis of consistency and objectives shows that PAGE China’s Objectives and Outcomes are compatible both with itself (inner consistency) and also with other national, provincial and municipal policies and programmes (outer consistency).

16. A draft Reconstructed Theory of Change is presented in Annex D. The main points to note are: 1) Outputs – the outputs are the same as in the current Logframe / ToC, with text amendments. 2) Assumptions & Drivers (linked to outputs and outcomes) – the draft reconstructed ToC, identifies assumptions and drivers. 3) Outcomes – the outcomes are the same as the current Logframe / ToC, with text amendments. 4) Overall outcome – this is the same as in the current Logframe / ToC, with text amendments. 5) Intermediate state – the intermediate state recognises that to achieve a sustainable transformational change, Jiangsu Province has to implement policy reforms across critical sectors and policy areas following national policy reform agendas in prospective areas and in considerations of local context of Jiangsu Province, involving a broad range of stakeholders, introducing, piloting and scaling up application of innovative policy tools and instruments, e.g. sustainable financing. 6) Assumption and Drivers - the intermediate state is associated with a number of assumptions and drivers. 7) Impact - the impact is the same as in the current Logframe / ToC, with text amendments. 8) The timing for deliverables was changed from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017 respectively in the logframe when the MTE started in August 2016.

17. Key areas for considerations for next versions of the Reconstructed ToC: 1) National dimension: According to the project design, the project has a Provincial focus on Jiangsu Province (outcomes, intermediate and the impact statement).

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Following replication of the project results and participation of additional provinces, cities and municipalities, PAGE China’s results will have implication to national level policy. Therefore there is a need for PAGE China to consolidate the results from replication site and additional provinces, cities and municipalities and reflect it in the RToC and logframe. 2) The added value of working together with several UN agencies in China: Value added of the collaboration needs to be clearly identified and appropriate mechanisms and arrangements (drivers) for realizing the added value needs to be reflected in the next version of RToC and the logframe, e.g. clearly identified synergies between PAGE China and on-going programmes, projects and initiatives of partnering UN agencies, tangible cooperation arrangements in selected thematic areas between PAGE China and partnering UN Agencies and the expected results, etc. From technical and policy advocacy & influencing perspectives, it is hard to meaningfully assess added value of the current collaboration at the current stage of PAGE China.

D.3 Assessment of Progress Towards Outcomes

18. The project implementation has been satisfactory in terms of outputs completed and project management, particularly recognizing the project design complexity, i.e. ambitious goals supported by limited financial resources available and the novelty of dealing with the concept of green economy. Overall Project Rating is included in Annex A.

19. The project has made relatively good progress in completing the planned activities, though the start-up of actual activities under the PAGE China was just in 2015. All project activities have been taken up actively and in general results have been achieved as foreseen in the work plans and project definition. It is likely that PAGE China will deliver its desire objectives and outcomes within the revised timeframe. A summary of achieved Outputs as of August 2016 and an indicative Implementation Plan for the 2nd half of 2016 and 2017 are included in Table 2.

Table 2 Summary of Achievements of Outputs in 2015/16 & Indicative Implementation Plan for 2016/17

Outputs in Provincial Log-frame

Achievements in 2015/16 / Indicative Implementation Plan for 2016/17

1.1 Green Economy Policymaking Indicators

Achievements: 1) Pre-scoping mission conducted in August 2015; 2) Scoping mission conducted in November 2015; 3) Technical support provided to Jiangsu Province in identifying challenges and bottlenecks to implement the existing IGE related policies and instruments in Jiangsu Province; 4) A green economy stocktaking study completed and launched in Jiangsu Province in June 2016. 5) A workshop was organized on 18 June 2016 to start the discussion on the application of a measurement framework for green economy progress.

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Indicative Implementation Plan for 2nd half 2016 and 2017: 1) Workshop to discuss draft green economy policymaking indicators report, Q1 2017; 2) Validation consultation, Q2 2017; 3) Launch of green economy policymaking indicators report, Q2 2017.

2.1 Green Industry Certification Scheme

Achievements: 1) A workshop organized on 18 June 2016 to start the discussion about application of a measurement framework for green economy progress.Indicative Implementation Plan for 2nd half 2016 and 2017: 1) An awareness raising and capacity building event, Q1 2017; 2) Green Industry Certification Scheme Report, Q2, 2017; 2) Information of Green Industry technology available online, Q2, 2017.

2.2: Network of Eco Industrial Parks

Achievements: NilIndicative Implementation Plan for 2nd half 2016 and 2017: 1) A group Industrial parks selected Q1 2017; 2) First meeting on establishing network of Industrial parks (both eco-parks and chemical industrial parks), Q1 2017; 3) Information exchange event including discussion of report (bring peers from other countries to Jiangsu), Q2 2017; 4) Report on network of Industrial parks (both eco-parks and chemical industrial parks), Q3 2017.

2.3: Energy Transition Assessment

Achievements: NilIndicative Implementation Plan for 2nd half 2016 and 2017: 1) Expert workshop on energy transition, Q1 2017; 2) Information exchange on green energy technologies, Q2 2017; 3) Report launch, Q3 2017.

2.4: Exploring the Role of Trade in Transition to a Green Economy

Achievements: NilIndicative Implementation Plan for 2nd half 2016 and 2017: 1) Workshop on south-south trade in renewable energy, Q4, 2016; 2) Capacity building Workshop on EGS trade, Q4, 2016; 3) A full session on Trade and Green Economy in the Provincial GE Academy, Q1, 2017; 4) Report for south-south trade and EGS finalized, Q2 2017

3. 1 Institutional Capacity Development

Achievements: Stakeholders mobilized via the two scoping missions and the launch of the Stocktaking Report in June 2016.Indicative Implementation Plan for 2nd half 2016 and 2017:1) Provincial GE Academy for capacity building of the provincial departments, Q1 2017; 2) NSC established, Q1 2017; 3) Regular Inter-departmental steering group meetings.

3.2 Individual Capacity Development

Achievements: 1) A national inception workshop of PAGE China followed by a workshop on GE knowledge sharing and capacity building on inclusive green economy (IGE)

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organized in November 2015.Indicative Implementation Plan for 2nd half 2016 and 2017: 1) Provincial GE Academy, Q1 2017; 2) Training for trainers on Green Entrepreneurship, Q2 Q 2017; 3) First training for entrepreneurs, Q 2-Q3 2017; 4) Second training for entrepreneurs, Q3-Q4 2017.

3.3 Provincial Planning, Coordination and Communication

Achievements: 1) An interim National Coordinator designated by UNEP. 2) Made regularly update the PAGE China webpage, WeChat news, and other social media to promote the work in China; 3) A joint pilot in Dongying City of Shandong Province launched by PRCEE and Dongying City with self-financing in April 2016.Indicative Implementation Plan for 2nd half 2016 and 2017: 1) Approved work plan by the government, Q4 2016; 2) NSC meeting to discuss next year’s workplan, Q1 2017; 3) Discussion with the PAGE Secretariat (Global) and partners on the modality of working with other province/city in China, Q4 2016; 4) Regularly update the PAGE China webpage, WeChat news, and other social media to promote the work in China; 5) A National Coordinator recruited, Q4 2016.

20. Specific Outcome 1 – Jiangsu (China) has reinforced and integrated inclusive green economy (IGE) goals and targets into SDG-aligned national economic and development planning through multi-stakeholder collaboration: 1) Policies and sectoral plans to advance ecological civilization – Chinese terminology used for IGE related policies - are well advanced in the Jiangsu province of China, and PAGE China provided support to identify challenges and bottlenecks to implement the existing policies and instruments. 2) A green economy stocktaking study was developed and launched in June 2016 with multi-stakeholder inputs to map the development status of the province, current planning and policies under the 12th Five-Year-Plan23, (including in environmental protection, energy savings and emission reduction, the promotion of environmental industry, green jobs, poverty reduction etc.).

21. The Stocktaking Report on Green Economy Development in Jiangsu Province24 summarizes the experiences of promoting green economy in Jiangsu Province, and documents good practices in Jiangsu Province at the policy, sub-regional actions and businesses levels, which can be shared nationally and

23 The 12th FYP for Economic and Social Development of Jiangsu Province: http://www.jssb.gov.cn/jstjgove/goveinfo/201112/t20111219_23385.html 24 Launch of the Stocktaking Report on Green Economy in Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu Environment Protection: http://www.jshb.gov.cn/jshbw/xwdt/slyw/201607/t20160705_356098.html; Full report of Stocktaking report on green Economy in Jiangsu Province: http://web.unep.org/greeneconomy/news/page-launches-“transition-green-economy-china’s-jiangsu-province-stocktaking-report”

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http://www.jshb.gov.cn/jshbw/xwdt/slyw/201607/t20160705_356098.html

http://web.unep.org/greeneconomy/news/page-launches-

http://web.unep.org/greeneconomy/news/page-launches-

http://www.jssb.gov.cn/jstjgove/goveinfo/201112/t20111219_23385.html


internationally to catalyze action in other provinces and countries towards IGE. The report also discusses key challenges and priorities and based on these, it provides recommendations for further actions.

22. However, the MTE found that the Stocktaking report largely focuses on economic and environmental sectors, more emphasis should have been put on social dimensions of inclusive green economy (IGE). In addition, most of the recommendations made by the Stocktaking Report for promoting Green Economy development in Jiangsu Province are generally at macro level and lack of sufficient social dimensions, e.g. gender, equity and equality and development results sharing dimensions should have been sufficiently covered in the report. To make the recommendations of the stocktaking report more enforceable, follow up plan for PAGE China’s work in Jiangsu Province needs to be developed in late 2016, no later than early 2017, in which deeper researches on practical and enforceable solutions and the above mentioned insufficiently covered dimensions should be included.

Box 1: Stocktaking Report on the Green Economy Transformation of Jiangsu Province

On June 17, 2016, the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) officially launched the "Stocktaking Report on Green Economy Transformation of Jiangsu Province" in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, which is a key deliverable of the PAGE China.

The "Stocktaking Report on the Green Economy Transformation of Jiangsu Province" is a key report under PAGE China. The study, report finalization and launch of the report were conducted with multi-stakeholders inputs to map and discuss the development status of the province, current planning, and policies under the 12th Five-Year-Plan (including in environmental protection, energy savings and emission reduction, the promotion of environmental industry, green jobs, poverty reduction etc.).

The study was conducted by a research team from the Environmental and Economic Policy Research Center (PRCEE) of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, responsible for data collection, report writing and related coordination and consultation with strong support and guidance from the Jiangsu Provincial Government and participation of Jiangsu Provincial Center for International Cooperation in Environmental Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission, and Jiangsu Provincial Government Research Office. From the UN, the Economic and Trade Office of the UNEP supervised and steered the study, specialists and officers from PAGE partners, including UNEP, UNIDO, ILO, UNDP, UNITAR, provided technical and policy guidance to the study. Experts and scholars from Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Environmental Planning Institute of Ministry of Environmental Protection, Global Green Growth Research Institute, Nanjing University, Jiangsu Environmental Protection Industry Association, WWF and Beijing Normal University provided the peer review and advisory inputs.

The report summarizes the experiences of promoting green economy in Jiangsu Province in order to provide useful reference for other provinces and other countries in the world to develop green economy. The report also identifies challenges and priorities for the green economy in Jiangsu Province in the coming period, which will serve as a reference and guidance for the next phase of PAGE’s work in China and Jiangsu Province so as to better assist the Government in promoting the green economy in Jiangsu Province and China. As one of the key needs identified during the discussion, PAGE will support the development of a set of inclusive green economy indicators at the provincial level that can be used in the 13th FYP period. On the basis of this report, PAGE will continue to cooperate with various government departments in Jiangsu Province to carry out more in-depth work in formulation of green economic policies to help Jiangsu address the challenges.

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23. Specific Outcome 2 – Jiangsu (China) has implemented evidence-based sectoral and thematic reforms in line with national IGE priorities: Development priorities of the Jiangsu Province have been discussed with key stakeholders, e.g. Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Department of Environment Protection, Department of Finance, and so on, based on the review of a preliminary draft of the stocktaking report. During the discussion, a number of priority areas have been raised and elaborated, including the facilitation of access to green technologies to further foster the capacity of technological innovation, the needs of green energy transition to reduce environmental pressure and carbon emission, the awareness and capacity of using trade and investment as vehicles for transition to IGE, greening value chains, engaging in green jobs and environmental businesses, green industry development to balance economic growth and environmental concerns (through environmental standards, green certification scheme and eco-industrial parks network) as well as using partnerships within and beyond the province for a reinforced collaboration. As a preliminary agreement, work streams to address these needs and challenges will be initiated in late 2016.

24. Specific Outcome 3 – Jiangsu (China) has strengthened Individual, institutional and planning capacities for IGE action: Stakeholder mobilization has been conducted via national inception workshop of PAGE China followed by a workshop on GE knowledge sharing and capacity building on inclusive green economy (IGE) organized, the two scoping missions, the launch of the Stocktaking Report of Jiangsu Province. Representatives from government, businesses, academia, research institutes and international agencies participated in the discussion of Jiangsu Province’s IGE development and offered insights and suggestions. Through the interaction with different departments of the government, PAGE is supporting the establishment of an inter-departmental steering committee in the province for a reinforced collaboration.

25. It is noticeable that, however, involvement of partners and stakeholders in PAGE China are varied. For example, involvement by HQs Office/regional centers/policy center of ILO, UNDP, UNIDO and UNEP were high and substantive, however Country Offices of partnering UN Partners residing in China remains relatively low. Multi-sectoral stakeholders of Government of China (GoC) at provincial and municipal levels, e.g. Department of Environment Protection (DEP), Development and Reform Commission (DRC), municipalities, corporations &enterprises including State Owned Enterprises (SoEs) and Privately Owned Enterprises (PoEs), were very active.

26. Stakeholders’ general understanding of Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) and policymakers’ capacity of implementing relevant policies is one of the key focuses of PAGE support. During the joint scoping mission in November 2015, a one-day capacity building workshop was organized. Over 60 guests from governments, businesses, academia, research institutes and international agencies participated

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and shared their insights in related areas. The general lack of understanding of and capacity to implement IGE was raised during the discussion and to respond to this need. A one-week PAGE academy in Jiangsu Province will be organized in early 2017 to introduce key elements of IGE, related policies and instruments, as well as relevant experiences at the international level. In this Academy and other capacity building events, PAGE will engage a wide range of local stakeholders on green trade and investment, green finance, green jobs, green industry, energy transition and inclusiveness in a green economy.

27. In addition, similar to the PAGE Academy in Turin City of Italy for building capacities for national partners, in which a delegation of more than 10 individuals from China attended, through the engagement with different work streams, PAGE will provide opportunities and resources for the national and provincial partners, i.e. Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE) of Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP), to build its own capacity on IGE, both in terms of conducting policy research and providing integrated policy recommendations, as well as the capacity of providing training to other interested partners.. PAGE China is in the process of setting up a multi-stakeholders mechanism to steer PAGE China’s work from late 2016 onward. A National Coordinator for PAGE China will be also recruited in late 2016. A proposed Terms of Reference (ToR) for a National Coordinator is included in Annex J.

E. Assessment of On-ward Progress Towards PAGE Impact and Sustainability of Results Post PAGE

E.1 Assessment of On-ward Progress Towards PAGE Impact

28. Since the 12th Five-Year Plan25, Jiangsu Province has made great progress in economic green transformation, ecological and environmental protection, green consumption and trade, green employment and poverty alleviation. However, there are a lot of challenges in green transformation of macro-economy and key sectors in Jiangsu Province, such as the economic structure of secondary industry development, the slowing down of economic growth, the challenge of eco-environment protection in urbanization process, and the green economic process of interregional differences.

29. The 13th five-year plans for economic and social development at national and provincial level in Jiangsu Province26 has put the green development as one of the five development concepts promoted by the central party committee and national government. This in turn has put the green development in the core heart of

25 The 12th FYP for National Economic and Social Development (Full Text): http://www.gov.cn/2011lh/content_1825838.htm; The 12th FYP for Economic and Social Development in Jiangsu Province (Full Text): http://www.jssb.gov.cn/jstjgove/goveinfo/201112/t20111219_23385.html 26 The 13th FYP for Economic and Social Development in Jiangsu Province (Full Text): http://www.jiangsu.gov.cn/jsgov/tj/bgt/201603/t20160331497150.html

25

http://www.jiangsu.gov.cn/jsgov/tj/bgt/201603/t20160331497150.html

http://www.gov.cn/2011lh/content_1825838.htm

http://www.jssb.gov.cn/jstjgove/goveinfo/201112/t20111219_23385.html


development planning and in a higher and more important position than traditional economic growth. The key areas for promoting green economic development in Jiangsu Province in the future are to foster green economy concept, strengthen capacity of green economy related key departments on planning and promoting green trade and investment and industry green transformation, fostering green market and establishing green production and consumption system, strengthening green development capacity, and improving relevant policy system concerning green economy development.

30. This indicates a major innovation in development theory and an adjustment to strategic direction for China's sustainable economic and social development, and effectively demonstrates that Jiangsu Province has been making efforts in the implementation of evidence-based sectoral and thematic reforms in line with national IGE priorities. The stocktaking report has provided a concrete base for Jiangsu Province to accelerate the reform process in areas where PAGE has comparative advantages and can bring value added, e.g. further cooperation with concerned government agencies and academic institutions in areas of capacity building, green economy indicator system, green industrial park network/platform, training on green employment, regional energy network, green trade and green value chain, and so on. It is foreseen that the catalytic actions of the project in these areas will be significant with continued strengths in preparing strategically important planning tools, sharing knowledge and introducing innovative new techniques to sustain peoples’ livelihoods and the environment.

E.2 Sustainability

Socio-political Sustainability

31. The project design responds to a change in government strategy that integrated concepts and principles of Sustainable Development in development and environmental protection. The government’s commitment to sustainable development has been reflected in Central, Provincial, and municipal five-year plans. The government’s increased awareness and commitment to address environmental and social challenges drew support from the international community, which was keenly aware of the global implications of the PRC’s size and potential impact of balancing economic growth models and environment and social protection approaches. The stocktaking report and its launch have stimulated ownership of the project outputs by the Provincial government. In this context, the project results will be sustainable and instrumental in improving the government’s sectoral financing and planning and their implementation.

32. The commitment of the country ownership was also demonstrated in involvement of multi-stakeholders in Jiangsu Province and by the strong expression of interests in promoting Green Economy by following PAGE’s Approach by

26


governments of cities outside of Jiangsu Province, e.g. Dongying City of Shandong Province, Xi’an City of Shanxi province and Dongguan City of Guangdong Province.

33. Jiangsu Province provided strong support to the project and its implementation. The leading agency, i.e. Department of Environment Protection (DEP) of Jiangsu Province and Development and Reform Commission (DRC) of Jiangsu Province, actively coordinated and effectively secured participation of line agencies in the project implementation including staff inputs, out of which some of them are the decision-making institutions in environment, development-planning and industrial sectors. Adoption of the project experiences by the leading agency will have significant impact on financing and planning.

34. Given the current political structure and governance arrangements, and division of responsibilities among the concerned government stakeholders in China, political champions at provincial and municipality levels could help secure long term buy-in of the introduced Approach by line agencies, and mainstreaming it into financing and planning decision making process. However, more work in identifying senior Champions in finance sector in target provinces & cities and measures to be used for leveraging political importance are still to be done.

Awareness & Capacity Building

35. Although Jiangsu Province has adopted relevant policies and adopted some actions in the field of green economy, Jiangsu Province is still faced with some gaps in areas of capacity in mainstreaming approaches, principles of inclusive green economy into policy making and implementation, and awareness about importance of IGE to realization of Sustainable Development Goals and Eco-civilization targets in Jiangsu Province27. Lack of sufficient capacity and awareness both in government system and business sector, coupled with challenges faced by economic sectors, e.g. slowing down of economic growth, path dependence of industrial development, insufficient innovation and application of green technologies, lack of synergies among relevant policies, and so on, have resulted in lagging effects on green economy oriented government policy reform progress and transformation of business modality towards green economy.

36. The Stocktaking Report on Green Economy Transformation in Jiangsu Province is a good product for capacity building and awareness promotion for government officials and business leaders, as the report provides a good basis for these stakeholders to better understand to problems and challenges faced by Jiangsu Province in promoting green economic development, and possible solutions for moving forward toward a green economy. The PAGE China will continue to collect

27 Sustainable Development Goals of Jiangsu Province: http://www.china.com.cn/tech/zhuanti/wyh/2008-01/07/content_9490294.htm; Notice on Issue of the Planning of Ecological Civilization Construction in Jiangsu Province (2013-2022), issued by the Jiangsu Provincial Government http://govinfo.nlc.gov.cn/jssfz/jszb/906237a/201312/t20131218_4485155.shtml?classid=439

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http://www.china.com.cn/tech/zhuanti/wyh/2008-01/07/content_9490294.htm

http://govinfo.nlc.gov.cn/jssfz/jszb/906237a/201312/t20131218_4485155.shtml?classid=439


concrete practices and cases of green economy in Jiangsu Province and disseminate and share them through diverse mechanisms and platforms, e.g. the government system, the Eco-industrial Park Network, the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP)28 and so on. At the same time, the PAGE China will support the capacity building of Jiangsu Province in green finance, green industry, green employment and inclusiveness through the active involvement of PAGE partners and local stakeholders in organizing Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop, thematic training workshops, knowledge sharing and technical exchange, awareness promotion campaigns, etc.

37. In order to timely and widely disseminate project concepts, progress and results for improving public knowhow about and awareness on inclusive green economy, PAGE China has regularly updated the PAGE China webpage, WeChat news and other social media, and used traditional media to promote the work in China.

Financial Resources and Sustainability

38. The project objectives are very valid and in line with the 13th FYPs at national, provincial and municipal levels. The project demonstrates high potential for serving a catalytic role in ensuring that IGE principles and recommended actions and approaches are adopted in other national programs and projects in the future. While the government financial commitment in related areas remains strong, the project results will be financially sustainable.

39. China is at a crucial stage of economic structural adjustment and transformation for its development model. The demand for green finance to support green industries and sustainable development is constantly expanding. In order to fully implement the "Opinions of China's Central Party Committee and the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Ecological Civilization" (Zhongfa [2015] No.12)29 and the "Overall Plan for the Structural Reform for Ecological Civilization" (Zhongfa [2015] No.25)30, as well as promote the development concepts of innovation, harmony, greenness, openness and sharing, on the 31 August 2016, the People's Bank of China, Ministry of Finance, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Environment Protection, China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission, China Insurance Regulatory Commission jointly issued national level Guidelines for establishing a green financial system in China with the approval of the State Council31. 28 Green Growth Knowledge Platform: http://www.greengrowthknowledge.org 29 Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of Ecological Civilization, issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council: http://news.xinhuanet.com/2015-05/05/c_1115187518.htm 30 Ecological Civilization System Reform Program, issued by the CPC Central Committee and State Council: http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2015-09/21/c_1116632159.htm 31 Guidelines on the construction of green financial system (full text), issued by People’s Bank of China, Ministry of Finance, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Environment Protection, China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission, China Insurance Regulatory Commission: http://business.sohu.com/20160901/n467164122.shtml

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http://business.sohu.com/20160901/n467164122.shtml

http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2015-09/21/c_1116632159.htm

http://news.xinhuanet.com/2015-05/05/c_1115187518.htm

http://www.greengrowthknowledge.org/


40. These guidelines strive to accomplish many essential goals – they will execute the tasks of the Government Work Report, promote the sustainable development of the economy, establish a sound green financial system, improve the function of the capital market in allocating resources and servicing the real economy, and support and promote the development of an ecological civilization, etc. These have provided a sound and enabling policy environment for securing financial resources for promotion of green economy and inclusive green economy.

Institutional Framework

41. PAGE China involves a wide range of stakeholders in Jiangsu Province including the Development and Reform Commission (DRC), Department of Commerce (DoC), Provincial Office of Statistics, Environment Protection Bureau (EPB), corporations including State Owned Enterprises (SoEs) and Privately Owned Enterprises (PoEs), and so on. The project already created significant results on many institutions in terms of capacity building, improvement of knowledge base and introduction of best practices and instruments for improving planning, financing and performance assessments, and so on. The wide policy impact has to be improved through policy advocacy and capacity building work.

42. In order to increase the likelihood of achieving impact and sustainability of the project results, an institutionalized long-standing platform, i.e. the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC, in-country), needs to be created with support of a Secretariat (in- country). This mechanism could be also used to serve as a long-standing mechanism for ensuring long-term sustainability of the results, e.g. replication of PAGE approach beyond PAGE China project lifecycle, leveraging and disseminating implementation lessons learned and best practice from PAGE China.

Replication

43. The Government in China (all levels) demonstrated the political will and the funding commitment to economic transformation toward green economy and sustainable development. The catalytic role of the project could be significant with continued strengths in preparing strategically important planning tools, sharing knowledge and introducing innovative new techniques to transform economy and reform prospective policies at provincial and municipal levels. Adoption and actual implementation of the approaches in other places, i.e. replication, will be largely depending on funding provided by the Government and the enterprises. The mechanism for financial and technical delivery in the government system will be primarily through Province, municipality, Economic Development Zones and enterprises mechanisms.

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44. After participation in the inception workshop in August 2015, the workshop to share knowledge and to build capacity of inclusive green economy (IGE) in June 2016, and launch of the Stocktaking report in June 2016, a few cities outside of Jiangsu Province, including Dongying City of Shandong Province32, Xi’an City of Shanxi Province and Dongguan City of Guangdong Province and so on, have also expressed their interests in promoting Green Economy by following PAGE’s Approach. In response to this, PAGE China has started to explore the establishment of a network of interested cities beyond Jiangsu Province.

45. Given the complex local context in Jiangsu Province and in China, the multi-sectoral approach associated with green economy development, and the diversity of involved stakeholders, it is wise for PAGE China to develop and implement a dissemination and replication plan at national level, which will be beneficial for more effectively satisfying local needs of advanced concepts, practical instruments and best practice for policy reform and effective implementation within and beyond Jiangsu Province.

F. Impact of Global Products

46. The design of PAGE China is in line with the PAGE global goal, outcome and objectives. Results of PAGE China will contribute to delivery of PAGE results. During design and implementation, PAGE China received effective policy guidance and

32 Green Economy Pilot Project officially launched in Dongying City of Shandong Province, China, PRCEE of MEP: http://www.prcee.org/zxdt/254038.shtml

Box 2: Launch of A Joint Pilot on Green Economy Development in Dongying City of Shandong Province

As the first attempt of replication for magnifying PAGE China’s impacts, on 14 April 2016, Dongying City of Shandong Province and Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE), Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP), jointly launched a pilot on Green Economy Development in Dongying City of Shandong Province by following the PAGE Approach. The Government of Dongying City will cover full costs of the pilot by using financial resources of the government.

The pilot will summarize, introduce and disseminate the best practices of green economy development in Dongying City of Shandong Province, and provide other cities in China and developing countries with useful experiences and examples in promoting transition from natural resource exploration and traditional manufacturing based economy to green and innovation economy. The pilot implement a series of activities, e.g. green economy-related policy research, policy dialogue and capacity building and other related activities, to promote green economy development and accelerate the realization of the green development goals during the 13th Five Year Plan of Dongying City of Shandong Province.

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http://www.prcee.org/zxdt/254038.shtml


technical advice & support from PAGE. In order to wisely use PAGE’s global products and maximize PAGE’s impacts, PAGE (global) should consolidate experiences and knowledge products from PAGE China so that project concepts, approaches, mechanisms, tools, guidelines, policy recommendations and other key knowledge products are coordinated with those of global ones and shared with other participating countries, - and vice versa.

47. PAGE China and its counterparts in China should explore opportunities and possibilities for strengthened exchange and experience-sharing among PAGE countries with support from the PAGE Secretariat (Global).

G. Review of Governance and Operational Structure

G.1 Project Management

48. As of the MTE, the overall implementation and coordination by UNEP Geneva and the interim national coordinator (designated by UNEP) has been effective. From China’s side, the Policy Research Centre for Environment and Economy (PRCEE) of MEP is the key government agency that coordinates in the country work of PAGE China at national level. The International Environmental Development Centre (IEDC) of Jiangsu Province coordinates PAGE China’s work in Jiangsu Province, including ensuring active participation of multi-sectoral stakeholders, including Development and Reform Commission (DRC), Department of Commerce, Provincial Office of Statistics, universities, corporations and enterprises including State Owned Enterprises (SoEs) and Privately Owned Enterprises (PoEs), and so on.

49. Though partnership for PAGE China was established, a long-standing multi-ministerial stakeholder platform or committee, e.g. PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) composed of representatives of partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial levels, has not been established to manage PAGE work at the time when the MTE was conducted. Project planning and implementation was discussed through a Country Interagency Group (CIG) composed of UN agencies’ China offices, and technical advice for project design and implementation was mobilized through an Informal Advisory Group (IAG) with experts from international agencies, national and local research institutes.

50. According to information collected during the interviews, these groups are neither institutionalized nor empowered with authorities in managing and steering PAGE China’s implementation. Some challenges, particularly in in-country coordination and technical steering, establishing synergies with other on-going policy initiatives and major programmes supported by domestic funding and international agencies, policy advocacy and influencing and impacts reporting, were still experienced by PAGE China. It is envisaged that continuous absence of an

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institutionalized long-standing multi ministerial stakeholder platform or committee could have negative impacts on long-term sustainability of PAGE China’s results.

51. In order to address the above mentioned challenges through strengthening in-country coordination and technical steering/support to PAGE implementation, policy influencing and reporting, PAGE China should establish the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC, in-country) composed of representatives of partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial levels with support of a in-country Secretariat that may be hosted by Policy Research Centre for Environment and Economy (PRCEE), Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP).

52. This mechanism can be also used in the future to leverage implementation lessons learned from PAGE China. The members of the platform and the Secretariat may offer contributions to PAGE China content by leveraging and disseminating cross-sectoral resources (technical and financial), and by playing an important role in providing guidance for future work in promoting inclusive green economy (IGE) in other provinces and autonomous regions. This arrangement is likely to have longevity with PAGE China. A suggested Terms of References (ToRs) for the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) is included in Annex H.

53. A suggested Organizational Structure for Page China is show in Figure 1.

Figure 1. PAGE China Organizational Structure

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Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

54. The M&E plan was well designed. Monitoring and evaluation of PAGE China basically follows the Monitoring Plan and the Evaluation Plan both included in the PAGE Project Document. According to the M&E Plans, project monitoring will be conducted periodically through a six-monthly review. Data collection and processing of key documents as indicated in the logical framework (according to the means of verification) will be undertaken to monitor the progress made against each project output, planned milestone, deliverable and associated indicator. It was envisioned that the monitoring system would serve as a basis for tracking progress towards achievement of Project objectives, outcomes and outputs as well as for assessing the impacts. The project will be externally evaluated according to UNEP’s standard procedures. The budget for M&E was included in the Project budget as part of budget allocation for Overall Coordination Lead Agency.

55. The monitoring and evaluation mechanism was set up to facilitate smooth work and budgetary flows and generally worked. The project completed most of the standard reporting, such as Annual Project Progress Reports. The MTE found that although the M&E plan was well designed, the current monitoring work is better at reporting on implementation of project activities rather than the monitoring progress towards achievement of outcomes and impact. Because of the special issues associated with this project and with the policy reform and institutional change towards inclusive green economy (IGE), the MTE strongly recommends that follow-up monitoring in the remaining time of the project and after project close is adopted: (i) whether the project will truly have broader impact beyond its own project intervention sites and on replication sites; (ii) whether the project results will be sustainable in replication sites. As part of this work, it will be important to see cases in which there has been transformational change towards IGE or where and how needs for follow-up investment were addressed. For this strong SMART indicators are needed, collection of information on progress, at all levels (not just output delivered (e.g. workshop organized, report published etc.) – need to track progress towards use of the outputs to achieve outcomes (including behavioral change) and beyond.

56. Review of project documents and interviews with stakeholders all show that the shortcomings of the current indicators system in the logframe, e.g. the absence of baseline and target data under specific outcomes and outputs, have created huge difficulties for the PAGE China to properly plan the work, monitor project implementation progress, analyze and evaluate project results and impact.

57. As PAGE China moves forward and time goes on, it is now very urgent for PAGE China to take necessary steps to improve the indicator system in the logframe. Specific steps for improvement of the indicators system may include:

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58. Revisiting and Revising the Indicators: Some of the indicator included in the logframe are not very SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound). For example, the following indicators under Output 2.4 in the logframe, “workshop/meeting/field trip conducted”, “overall south-south trade in renewable energy introduced”, “Jiangsu’s trade with selected developing countries in renewable energy analysed”, “opportunities and challenges to Jiangsu’s trade with developing countries in renewable energy discussed”, and so on. Rather than SMART, some of them are rather descriptive and very hard to collect information for monitoring progress and evaluating their contribution to delivery of Specific Outcome 2. In connection with revisions of the indicators, the Sources/Means of Verification should also be revisited and revised accordingly.

59. Reducing number of Indicators: There are too many indicators at Impact and Output levels, for example there are 5 indicators at Impact level, and 6 indicators under Output 2.4 (2.4.1). These indicators should be revisited and revised ideally and practically to 3-4 indicator for Impact and 2-4 indicators for Output.

60. Adding Baseline and Targets into the Indicators System : There are no baselines and targets associated with the indicators, for example the following indicators under Output 2.2 in the current logframe, “ number of Eco-Industrial parks involved”, “number of meeting for industrial parks in Jiangsu’, and “number of information event”, and so on, without baselines, targets and timeframe for delivery, it is very hard to tell where the project start and what is expected to be achieved at certain times under the project. These and similar indicators in the logframe need to be revised. For example, these indicators can be revised as for example “Number of Eco-Industrial parks involved (baseline 0, target 18 in 2018” or “18 Eco-Industrial parks involved in PAGE in 2018 (baseline 0)”. Where it is appropriate, gender disaggregated baseline and target data should be added for indicators of the logframe.

61. Reviewing and Adequately Identifying Means of Verification (MoV) in the Logframe: For some indicators, the current Means of Verification (MoV) may not be able to provide sufficient information (quantitative and qualitative) for prospective indicators. Following revisions to the indicators system, PAGE China should review and adequately identify Means of Verification in a systematic manner for all the indicators to be included in the revised Logframe. For some indicators covering social dimension of PAGE China, e.g. number of green decent jobs (currently no baseline & no target, not disaggregated by gender), PAGE China should include additional deeper researches or supplementary studies or surveys (random surveys or questionnaire surveys) as part of the Means of Verification (MOV), if the currently identified Means of Verification (MoV) and/or possible sources of information do not cover this level of details, e.g. government reports, statistics by Government and industries, Global Environment Outlooks reports, etc.

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Supervision, Guidance and Technical backstopping

62. The MTE gained a positive impression of UNEP’s role in the project as the lead PAGE agency. UNEP, on behalf of the PAGE partner agencies, provided the project with strong macro-level guidance on project direction, sustainability and compliance with fiduciary standards, in line with UNEP’s requirements and international best practices and reporting. UNEP provided satisfactory support to the project design process, design of the project procedures and project start-up and review. In project implementation, UNEP was responsible for the overall supervision, in accordance with policies and procedures of UNEP and PAGE, as well as for the provision of related services for the management of the PAGE China.

63. A dedicated China Focal Point and an officer were appointed in UNEP to coordinate administrative, financial and coordination support to the project, they are familiar with the institutional and administrative systems and issues related to implementation of projects and programs. UNEP monitored the project progress through regular updates and consultations, Annual Progress Reports (APRs), and periodic in-country visits. UNEP was responsive to requests for management, administrative technical and financial guidance.

G.2 Efficiency and Cost-effectiveness

64. PAGE China has been implemented for one year from August 2015 to September 2016 with a proposed total budget of US$ 600,000 (US$ 300,000 for each of fiscal year 2015-2016 and 2016-2017). As of the August 2016, PAGE China has completed a number of key activities, e.g. pre-scoping in August 2015, joint scoping in November 2015 combined with trainings, and Stocktaking Report of Green Economy in Jiangsu Province launched in June 2016 combined with consultations. As of the MTE, US$ 385,000 of the total budget US$ 600,000 has been allocated for implementation of PAGE China. Detailed planning budgets for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 and accumulative expenditures are included in Annex B.

65. Implementation of the Workplan for 2015 and 2016 was generally cost efficient. Activities were in line with the proposed timeline, effort is needed to finalize follow-up plan of the Stocktaking report for Jiangsu Province. However, compared with ambitious goal of the PAGE in policy reform, the financial resources availability and allocation for PAGE China needs to be further increased in the next two years.

G.3 Financial Arrangements

66. Financial resources from the PAGE Trust Fund and co-funding from governments were identified and secured during the design stage. During the implementation, PAGE China prepared its Annual Workplans and Budgets (AWPBs, including procurement plan) based on the planned activities, which were then used as a basis for progress and impacts monitoring. Based on the above arrangements,

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the financial planning and monitoring mechanism was set up to facilitate smooth work and budgetary flows and generally worked satisfactorily. However, the MTE found that there was a delay in disbursing funds for PAGE China in 2016. In addition to US$ 300,000 received for the project year June 2015 – July 2016, as of the MTE only US$ 85,000 was received for the project year June 2016 – July 2017 due to cash flow issues, with subsequent funding planned to be transferred later in the project year. Consequently PAGE China has experienced a major delay in implementing workplan for 2016-2017.

G.4 Partnerships and Collaboration

67. A feature of the project was the multi-stakeholder, inter-sectoral integration and participation approach. One important strength demonstrated during implementation was the ability to mobilize government departments at different levels and from different sectors. The project involved the relevant stakeholders through capacity building, information sharing and consultation and by their participation in project design, implementation, and M&E activities. The project consulted with, and made use of, the skills, experience and knowledge of appropriate government agencies, academic institutions and technical specialists in the design, implementation, and evaluation of Project activities.

68. Involvements of Partners and Stakeholders in PAGE China are varied. For example, involvement of HQs Office/regional centres/policy centre of ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, UNITAR and UNEP were high and substantive, however Country offices of partnering UN Partners residing in China remains relatively low due to various institutional reasons, e.g. lack of human resources in country offices. Multi-sectoral stakeholders of the Government of China at provincial and municipal levels, e.g. Development and Reform Commission (DRC), Bureaux of Finance (BoF), Commission for Economy and Information (CEI), Economic Development Zones (EDZ) & Industrial Parks (IPs) Administration, corporations including State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Privately Owned Enterprises (POEs), were very active.

69. It is foreseen that the PAGE China National Steering Committee (in-country, NSC) composed of representatives of partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial levels with support of a Secretariat (in- country), which are currently both absent in PAGE China’s organizational structure, could be useful arrangements for ensuring effective technical inputs and coordination, synergies between PAGE China and national and provincial policy initiatives and key thematic initiatives of international agencies in China, and long-term sustainability of the project results.

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H. Meeting Country Needs, with Emphasis on Poor and Vulnerable

70. Green Economy can be thought of as an alternative vision for growth and development, which can generate growth and improvements in people’s lives in ways consistent with sustainable development and the Chinese concept of ecological civilization. It promotes a triple bottom line: sustaining and advancing economic, environmental and social well-being. Although PAGE China just started its implementation in 2015 and it is too early to indicate/assess the benefits to groups key to the attainment of an inclusive green economy such as women, youth and the poorest at the mid-term evaluation stage, introduction and adoption of IGE in China, which is what PAGE China has been supporting, will bring huge impacts and transformational change. The Table 3 below is a summary mapping of the potential benefits.

Table 3 How Policy Reforms May Lead to Benefits for Women, Youth and the Poorest

Policy Reform(Selected)

Shift in Investment TowardsNew Generation of Assets

Benefits to Women, Youth and the Poorest

Fiscal, industrial/sector and labor policies made conducive to greening of economic structure(Indicator 3 for Overall Outcome, Logframe)

These will provide support in estimating and assessing the adequacy of the potential cost and performance of various policy options that could be used to solve the issues at hand.

It will help develop new markets and industries that can create good, long-term jobs for women, youth and the poorest, and increase employment oportunities in high-growth sectors such as clean energy.

Provincial level roadmap for the 13th FYP includes green economy related goals and targets(Indicator 1 for Specific Outcome 1, Logframe)

The 13th five-year plan for national economic and social development has put green development as one of the five development concepts promoted by the central party committee and national government.

This, in turn, indicates a major innovation in China's development theory and an adjustment in strategic direction for China's sustainable economic and social development that will lead to a major shift in investment toward green develoment and green living.

Inclusion of green economy related goals and targets in Provincial level roadmap for the 13th FYP will provide a practical pathway to

Together with implementtation of sectorial 13th FYPs, the policy reform will bring more opportunties for gender equality and women's development, promotion of employment, broadening employment channels, creating conditions to encourage aspiring young entrepreneurs, and targetted poverty alleviation.

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Policy Reform(Selected)

Shift in Investment TowardsNew Generation of Assets

Benefits to Women, Youth and the Poorest

realize the shift.

Green economy and green jobs indicators used for monitoring of Ecological Civilization implementation(Indicator 2 for Specific Outcome 1, Logframe)

This will help track the pace and progress of development planning, finance and key line agencies at national, provincial and municipal level and adopt a more diverse and representative set of economic indicators that focus less exclusively on growth.

The indicators will track progress towards an environmentally stable, economically sound and equitable society.

Green economy policymaking indicators validated by the provincial government(Indicator 1 for Output 1.1, Outcome 1, Logframe)

This could be a set of useful guide on how to identify and use relevant indicators in designing and implementing green economy policies. It is hoped to provide examples to illustrate what could potentially be considered as a challenge in a given context and how to address it.

Given the cross-sectoral nature of the GE and implementation steps, it will also provide useful guide on the use of data across various data sources as well as the involvement of a broad set of stakeholders, to support the design and implementation of a coherent and inclusive green economy strategy.

It will help assess performance of policymaking process and policy makers in considerations of the benefits to women, youth and the poorest.

I. Conclusions & RecommendationsI.1 The Summarized Findings and Conclusions

71. The conclusions of this mid-term evaluation are overall positive. PAGE China has made relatively good progress in completing the planned activities since it started in 2015. Project implementation has been satisfactory in terms of outputs completed and project management, particularly recognizing the project design complexity, i.e. ambitious goals supported by limited financial resources available, and that green economy is a new concept.

72. The evaluation found that the project has been given a high priority by all partners and stakeholders, and more importantly by the Chinese governments at provincial and municipal levels and enterprises in Jiangsu Province. This has created a high level of awareness about PAGE and about the importance of an inclusive green economy in China’s sustainable development agenda. The interest in PAGE also reflects the growing concerns in China about the environmental impacts of

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economic development, inclusiveness and fairness and sharing of development results.

73. Relevance: The project objectives are very valid and all projects activities are very relevant to China’s national priorities of promoting green economy, which include: 1) deepening reform of institutional mechanisms and creating a livable ecological environment; 2) promoting innovation – driven approach, establishing green mode of production; 3) improving the governance system; and 4) promoting inclusiveness and fairness, sharing green development results, which are highlighted in a number of actual policy developments like the 13rd FYPs, and national and provincial policies on green financing, eco-compensation, ecological civilization, employment promotion, western development, poverty alleviation, etc. Outputs are consistent with the defined goals and objectives, and activities to move along the entire casual chain are good.

74. Performance: Implementation of Workplans for 2015 and 2016 was generally cost efficient. All project activities have been taken up actively and in general results have been achieved as foreseen in the work plans and project definition. PAGE China has been implemented for one year from June 2015 July 2016 with a total budget of US$ 600,000 (US$ 300,000 for each of fiscal year 2015-2016 and 2016-2017). As of the MTE, US$ 385,000 of the total budget US$ 600,000 has been allocated for implementation of PAGE China. Detailed planning budgets for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 and accumulative expenditures are included in Annex B.

75. However, given the ambitious goal of PAGE the financial resources allocation for PAGE China needs to be further increased in next two years. It is also notable that in the absence of a long-standing multi-stakeholder mechanism, e.g. the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) composed of representatives of partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial levels with support of a in-the country Secretariat, the project experienced some difficulties in ensuring substantive technical inputs, and it is envisaged that this could have negative impacts on long-term sustainability of the results.

76. Effectiveness: The results to date are generally in line with the proposed work plan. In Jiangsu Province more emphasis has to be given to the development of follow-up actions based on rapidly changing policy environment (financing, industrial development and social development), development of appropriate industrial technologies and social governance, as well as the Stocktaking Report of Green Economy in Jiangsu Province. Different opinions exist on the introduced approach, i.e. dimensions of inclusive green economy, the logic between the proposed activities and outcomes to be covered by the project under PAGE, and practical application in the Jiangsu Province. These concepts, approaches, mechanisms and tools and the extent to which they can be used by Chinese agencies and enterprises need to be further defined, discussed and assessed for

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potential dissemination and replication in the remaining time of the project lifecycle. The remaining period of PAGE China, especially fiscal year 2016 – 2017, will be very important. As the project progresses, there are increasing needs for more technical steering, advisory and financial support to the project implementation.

77. Efficiency: Efficiency of the projects looks sound, in general activities are cost effective. Spending is in line with physical progress. For most of the project stakeholders it is a new experience to implement a project focusing on inclusive green economy according to theories and principles introduced by the PAGE China. This has led to minor delays. In this respect, more technical guidance from PAGE could have helped, e.g. in the use of logical frameworks, properly interpreting the theory and concept of inclusive green economy into tangible activities that addresses interests and concerns of both the PAGE and participating stakeholders at provincial and municipal levels in China.

78. The exceptions are that most of the reporting is based on the completion of activities and outputs and an institutionalized in-country coordination and technical steering arrangement is lacking. Currently the project reporting is very much activity focused with insufficient emphasis on monitoring impacts of project deliverables. Since PAGE China is policy reform oriented, project impacts on policy reform process should be monitored throughout the whole policy process. The project should further strengthen its reporting by adding more activities in monitoring and analysing project’s policy impacts.

79. As of the MTE, the UNEP Office in Geneva generally coordinated the PAGE China implementation with an interim National Coordinator designated by UNEP. Though partnership for PAGE China was established, a long-standing multi ministerial stakeholder platform or committee, e.g. the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC), has not been established in China to manage PAGE work. So some challenges, particularly in in-country coordination and technical steering, synergies with other on-going policy initiatives and major programmes supported by domestic funding and international agencies, policy advocacy and influencing and impacts reporting, were experienced by PAGE China and observed by the MTE. It is envisaged that this could have negative impacts on long-term sustainability of the PAGE China’s results.

80. Impact: The potential impact of the PAGE is likely to be high at the provincial and municipal policy levels. The Project Document sets high expectations of providing support to the Chinese authorities in their efforts to reframe economic policies around sustainability and put in place enabling policy conditions, reforms, incentives, business models and partnerships to catalyze greater action and investment in green technologies, and natural, human, and social capital by the end of the project. The progress toward this result has been moderate and a large part still has to be achieved in the remaining years of PAGE China. This requires the

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attention of all project partners, especially those from economic, industrial and social sectors.

81. The MTE reflects the need now to concentrate on further developing concrete activities that will generate policy recommendations and key project knowledge products, and demonstrating effective replication of the project results elsewhere in China. Additional work has to be done to interpret project results so as to increase policy impacts at provincial and municipal levels, and national level if possible. Additional work is required on awareness promotion and capacity building, case studies and other technical and policy reports to make the results more accessible for policy development. An institutionalized in-country coordination and technical steering and decision-making mechanism, e.g. PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) supported by a functional Secretariat, is urgently required in the fiscal year 2016-2017.

82. Sustainability: The sustainability of PAGE China is likely to be high. In general the activities of the projects are in line with top priorities of the project partners and Governments at various provincial and municipal levels. However more work is needed for institutionalizing project results in the system. The evidence so far suggests that the increased awareness and capacity of the Governments, private sector and the public toward inclusive green economy and environment sustainability in the face of rapid economic development pressures will sustain interest and support for the project objectives. The critical issue of operationalizing the project concepts and tools and institutional uptake will affect the sustainability of PAGE inputs after project completion. Adoption of the project experiences by these institutions will have significant impact on financing and planning.

83. Given the current political structure and governance arrangements, and division of responsibilities among the concerned government stakeholders in China, political champions at provincial and municipality levels could help secure long term buy-in of the introduced approach by line agencies, and mainstream it into financing and planning decision making process at provincial and municipal levels. However, more work in identifying senior champions in the finance sector in target provinces & cities and measures to be used for leveraging political importance are still to be done.

I.2 Key Lessons Learned

84. Ensuring Integrity of the Introduced Approach: The inclusive green economy approach is highly relevant to economic transition and social equity and inclusion in China and is a significant change from traditional practices, which requires time to become fully accepted by key sectors that are crucial for economic transition and improvement of social equity and inclusion. Moreover, efforts should be made to communicate the parallels and synergies between Ecological Civilization

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and Inclusive Green Economy, and to ensure that concepts and principles introduced by PAGE are fully reinforced by line agencies in planning and programming, so as to avoid reversion of the introduced integrated approach to sectoral-based approaches.

85. Institutional Capacity and Awareness Building for Establishing an Enabling Environment: For the approach promoted by the PAGE China to be effective and successful, collaborating institutions and sectors must be supported by knowledge and skills for policymaking, planning, e.g. knowledge and practical skills in combining top-down and bottom-up approaches, and useful instruments and best practices in balancing economic, environmental and social considerations for financial decision-making and planning. Strong awareness among stakeholders, especially the policy makers, enterprises and public, on the state of the environment and social equity and inclusion is important for gaining support for government plans and strategies for green economy and for overall environmental management and social inclusion. Awareness building should be complemented by an effective information-sharing multimedia system. Members of the suggested PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) and a functioning Secretariat will play an important role in providing guidance for future work in promoting inclusive green economy (IGE) in other provinces and autonomous regions through capacity building and awareness promotion. Sufficient budget allocation is needed.

86. Importance of A Knowledge Products Database and Information-sharing Mechanism: Clarification on the institutional role of each agency regarding IGE provides a clear basis for defining the types of knowledge products to be developed for policy influencing and capacity building by each participating agency in promoting inclusive green economy. For information sharing to be effective and useful, the “institutional value” of knowledge products should be recognized and access to knowledge products should be made available in a timely and practical manner not only for participating and relevant government agencies.

I.3 The Summarized Recommendations

87. Project Design & Planning: It is recommended that PAGE China take following steps to further improve the project design and planning:

88. Review of the Logframe: 1) A review of logical framework should be prepared and implemented for the remainder of the project with an emphasis on clearly defined outcomes and outputs (national) at policy level that reflect the changed external environment and emerging demands associated with the latest development of prospective sectors. 2) Revision of outcomes and outputs statements: Statements of specific outcomes and outputs (national) of the logframe should be rephrased in a clear manner. The confusion caused by “National Outputs for Specific Outcome 1, 2 and 3” in the first left Row of the logframe and “Provincial

42


Outputs (indicators)” in the third Colum of Output Section headings in the logframe should be addressed by removing Provincial Outputs from the Output Section headings in the logframe.

89. Studies & Research: During the remaining project period, PAGE China should aim high for enforceability of results of studies, focusing early on policy formulation. Studies should be strategically focused on facilitating achievement of targeted policy outcomes with identified entry points for influencing on-going policy reform, preparatory work of policy reform and policy implementation performance assessment in selected sectors. To prevent implementation deviation from the project design, the targeted scope of policy work and rationale for that scope should be clearly delineated in the updated logframe.

90. Two Plans To Be Developed For 2016 Onwards: A follow-up plan of the Stocktaking report launched in Jiangsu Province should be developed and implemented. A dissemination and replication plan of the project models at national level should be developed and implemented so as to more effectively satisfy local needs for advanced concepts, practical instruments and best practices for policy reform, and effective implementation within and beyond Jiangsu Province.

91. Partners & Stakeholders Involvement: It is recommended that for fiscal year 2016-2017, PAGE China aims to further enhance partners and stakeholders’ participation, including involvement of partnering UN agencies and their country offices residing in China, and government agencies who have key responsibilities in financing, industrial and social development (e.g. social security, women workers, youth, rural migrant workers and vulnerable groups). Inclusive green economy issues and problems may be addressed through an effective multi-stakeholder involvement mechanism that clearly defines the roles and functions, the benefits that stakeholders may derive through their active participation, and policy incentives. This facilitates finding practical and realistic solutions to address green economy and inclusive growth at their roots.

92. Project M&E: As described in the Monitoring Plan of the PAGE Project Document, project monitoring will be conducted periodically through a six-monthly review. The MTE found that only an annual project progress report was produced. It is recommended that that PAGE China add six monthly report and quarterly update into its current monitoring plan. Additionally for M&E, greater effort and debate should be put into developing specific, measurable, assignable/achievable, realistic and time-bound (SMART) indicators associated with baseline and targets for the project logical framework that will lead to results based reporting, harmonization of environment, economic and social benefit that in turn will lead to positive long term results. It is also recommended that PAGE China revisits and revises the indicators system, adds baseline and targets (gender disaggregated) under each clearly defined outcomes, outputs and activities in the logframe, reduces numbers of

43


indicators, reviews and adequately identifies Means of Verification (MoV). Detailed recommendations for improving the indicators system are included in Point 57-6 1 .

93. Additionally, the MTE strongly recommend that follow-up monitoring in the remaining time of the project and after Project close is adopted: (i) whether the project will truly have broader impact beyond its own project intervention sites and on replication sites; (ii) whether the project results will be sustainable in replication sites. As part of this work, it will be important to see cases in which there has been transformational change towards inclusive green economy or needs for follow-up investment and how needs had been addressed.

94. Institutional Arrangements and Implementation: In order to address the challenges in in-country coordination and technical steering and support to PAGE implementation, establishing synergies with other on-going policy initiatives and major programmes supported by domestic funding and international agencies, policy advocacy and influencing and impacts reporting, it is recommended that PAGE China establishes a PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) composed of representatives of partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial levels with support of a in-country Secretariat that may be hosted Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE), Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP). This mechanism can be also used in the future for leveraging implementation lessons learned from PAGE China. The members of the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC,) and the in-country Secretariat can offer contributions to PAGE China by providing policy and technical advisory inputs, leveraging and disseminating cross-sectoral resources (technical and financial), and facilitating sustainability of PAGE’s work after project completion. The mechanism is likely to have longevity with PAGE China.

95. Increasing Financial Resources Allocation: The financial resources allocation for PAGE China needs to be further increased in next two years. It is recommended that PAGE allocate additional financial resources from the PAGE trust fund for 1) enhanced work on social development including gender participation and social security in selected real industrial sectors and Economic Development Zones (EDZ) and Industrial Parks (IPs); 2) policy advocacy, replication, impacts oriented monitoring & evaluation and reporting and associated additional deeper research (the current budget allocation is not sufficient for results oriented reporting), and 3) operations and functioning of the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) and the in-country Secretariat.

96. Inter-province/country Experiences Sharing: It is recommended that (i) PAGE partners (global) should find an institutionally and financially practical way to consolidate and disseminate experiences, knowledge and technology from PAGE in China so that project concepts, approaches, mechanisms, tools, guidelines, policy

44


recommendations and other key knowledge products are coordinated with those of each partner agency and available more widely, - and vice versa. (ii) PAGE China should initiate more technical interactions with projects financed by domestic and international funding resources for the benefits of getting better understanding to the projects, establishing synergies with well-selected similar on-going programmes, projects and policy initiatives, EU Switch-Asia33, and provide technical support to implement and consolidate project results; (iii) PAGE China and its counterparts in China should explore opportunities and possibilities for strengthened exchange and experience-sharing among PAGE countries with support from the PAGE Secretariat (global). 97.

33 EU SWITCH ASIA: http://www.switch-asia.eu

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http://www.switch-asia.eu/


Annex A Summary of Evaluation Rating34

Criterion Summary Assessment Rating

A. Strategic relevance

• Objectives very valid (the 13th FYPs at national, provincial and municipal levels, relevant policies on IGE related areas, e.g. green financing, innovation and entrepreneurship, etc.)• Activities/outputs consistent with goals/objectives• Activities consistent with intended impacts

HS

B. Achievement of outputs

• Except completion and launch of the stocktaking report, most reporting of key studies and researches are to be commissioned from late 2016 onwards.• According to the current delivery and plan for 2016-2017, results are on track to be achieved.• Outputs are expected to contribute to local policy reform and policy implementation performance assessments.

S

C. Effectiveness35: Attainment of project objectives and results S1. Achievement of direct outcomes

• Good progress in implementation has been made.• Outputs are consistent with the defined goals and objectives, and activities to move along the entire casual chain are good.

S

2. Likelihood of impact

• Impacts on the research site are good, results were well received by Jiangsu Province, and impacts on the policy are expected to be observed in following years.• More impact can be accomplished by extending the action to municipal, city and economic zone levels with lower level of GE practices and urgent needs of transforming economies.

S

3. Achievement of project goal and planned objectives

• Generally results are in line with the proposed action, however, more emphasis to be given on development of a follow-up plans and solutions following the Stocktaking report.

S

D. Sustainability36 and replication L

34 1. The evaluation will provide individual ratings for the evaluation criteria described in section II.4 of these TORs. 2. Most criteria will be rated on a six-point scale as follows: Highly Satisfactory (HS); Satisfactory (S); Moderately Satisfactory (MS); Moderately Unsatisfactory (MU); Unsatisfactory (U); Highly Unsatisfactory (HU). Sustainability is rated from Highly Likely (HL) down to Highly Unlikely (HU). 3. In the conclusions section of the report, ratings will be presented together in a table, with a brief justification cross-referenced to the findings in the main body of the report.35 Rating for effectiveness: Attainment of project objectives and results. An aggregated rating will be provided for the achievement of direct outcomes as determined in the reconstructed Theory of Change of the project, the likelihood of impact and the achievement of the formal project goal and objectives. This aggregated rating is not a simple average of the separate ratings given to the evaluation sub-criteria, but an overall judgement of project effectiveness by the consultants.36 Ratings on sustainability: All the dimensions of sustainability are deemed critical. Therefore, the overall rating for sustainability will be the lowest rating on the separate dimensions.

46



1. Financial • Considering the fact that the government financial commitment in related areas will remain strong, the project results will be financially sustainable.

L

2. Socio-political • PAGE is in line with the top priorities of prospective local authorities;• Involved stakeholders are the decision-making institutions in environment, development planning sectors. Adoption of the project experiences by these institutions has the potential significant impact on social-political reform. More work in identifying champions in finance and social sector of the target provinces & cities and measures for leveraging political importance is needed.

L

3. Institutional framework

• The project has a large impact on many institutions; however the policy impact needs to be improved through policy advocacy and capacity building work.• A long-standing platform, i.e. Multi stakeholder mechanism / Commission, needs to be created with support of a functional Secretariat, which could be used to serve as a mechanism for ensuring long-term sustainability of the results.

ML

4. Environmental • The project environmental impact is positive and there are no foreseen major environmental risks that may significantly jeopardize the sustainability of Project outcomes.

HL

5. Catalytic role and replication

• The Project has a high potential catalytic role in ensuring that the GE and IGE principles and recommended actions and approaches are adopted in other national programs and Projects addressing transformation of economy toward GE and IGE in the future.•The catalytic role of the Project could be significant with continued preparation of strategically important planning tools, sharing knowledge and introducing innovative new techniques to transform the economy and reform prospective policies at provincial and municipal levels.• More work in identifying senior Champions in finance sector in target provinces & cities and measures to be used for leveraging political importance are still to be done.

ML

E. Efficiency • Activities are on track, but effort is needed to finalize the follow-up plan of the Stocktaking report for Jiangsu Province.• Implementation of Workplan for 2015 and 2016

S

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was generally cost efficient. However, given the ambitious goal of the PAGE, the financial resources for PAGE China need to be increased over the two years.

F. Factors affecting project performance S1. Preparation and readiness

• The preparation of the Project was moderate satisfactory and the process was an awareness and capacity building effort that generally benefitted the Project stakeholders at national, Provincial and City levels.• There are weaknesses existing with the current logframe. Outcome, specific outcomes, and national outputs need to be rephrased. Indicator system is too complex without clearly defined baseline and targets. These have caused some difficulties in results reporting.• A dissemination and replication plan of the project models at provincial level should be developed and implemented.

MS

2. Project implementation and management

• Overall coordination by UNEP Geneva and the interim national coordinator (UNEP based) has been effective.• PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC, in-country) composed of representatives of partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial levels is to be established with support of a Secretariat (in-country) to be hosted by PRCEE of MEP.

S

3. Stakeholders participation and public awareness

• Involvement of HQ Offices/regional centres/policy centre of ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, UNITAR and UNEP were high and substantive, however involvement of Country offices of partnering UN Partners residing in China remains relatively low.• Multi-sectoral stakeholders of the Government of China at provincial and municipal levels have so far been very active.

S

4. Country ownership and driven-ness

• The project design responds to a change in government strategy that integrated concepts and principles of Sustainable Development in development and environmental protection. The government’s commitment to sustainable development has been reflected in Central, Provincial, municipal and five-year plans.• The commitment of the country ownership was also demonstrated in the expressions of interest in applying IGE by a number of cities outside of

S

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Jiangsu Province, e.g. Dongying City of Shandong Province, Xi’an City of Shaanxi Province.

5. Financial planning and management37

• The financial planning mechanism was set up to facilitate smooth work and budgetary flows and generally worked satisfactorily. During the implementation, annual workplans and budgets were prepared based on the planned activities, which were then used as a basis for progress reporting.

S

6. UNEP supervision and backstopping

• UNEP provided the Project with macro-level guidance on Project direction, sustainability and compliance with fiduciary standards, in line with international best practices and reporting.• UNEP provided satisfactory support to the Project design process, design of the Project procedures and Project start-up and review.• Following PAGE China implementation, there are emerging need of local partners for more guidance from UNEP in using logframe as a tool for work-planning and monitoring.

S

7. Monitoring and evaluation38 MSa. M&E Design At project design, it was envisioned that the

monitoring system would serve as a basis for tracking progress towards achievement of Project objectives, outcomes and outputs as well as for assessing the impacts. The M&E plan was well designed.

S

b. Budgeting and funding for M&E activities

The budget for M&E was included in the Project budget as part of budget for overall coordination by the lead agency. The monitoring and evaluation mechanism was set up to facilitate smooth work and budgetary flows and generally worked.

MS

c. M&E Plan Implementation

The Project completed most of the standard M&E work, such as Annual Project Progress Reports. Although the M&E plan was well designed, the M&E systems is better at monitoring implementation of Project activities rather than the impacts.

MS

Overall Project. Rating

S

37 Ratings on Financial planning and management: An aggregated rating will be provided based on an average of the various component ratings listed in the Financial Management Component Table.38 Ratings of monitoring and evaluation: The M&E system will be rated on M&E design, M&E plan implementation, and budgeting and funding for M&E activities (the latter sub-criterion is covered in the main report under M&E design). M&E plan implementation will be considered critical for the overall assessment of the M&E system. Thus, the overall rating for M&E will not be higher than the rating on M&E plan implementation.

49


Annex B Project Costs and Co-financing TablesAnnex B. 1

Accumulated Planning Budget and Funds Allocated（in US$ ） These tables present an overview of project finances at the country level, as per available budget figures. It should be noted that actual expenditures are not available at country level. The Secretariat aggregates the available financial information on a regular basis to update donors and other stakeholders; however these are not certified actual expenditures and are informative in nature, based on available financial figures received by partner agencies.

Items Total

Project Year 1(June 2015 - June

2016, including Inception phase)

Project Year 2(July 2016 - June 2017)

1. Total Accumulated Planning Budget 720,000 300,000 420,0002. Total Accumulated Budget Allocation as of the MTE

385,000 300,000 85,000

3. Total Accumulated Expenditure as of the MTE

245,000 245,000 0

4. Total Remaining Balance as of the MTE (=2-3)

140,000 55,000 85,000

Annex B.2 PAGE Planning Budget39 for PAGE China in Jiangsu Province

(‘US$, 2015 allocation and unallocated funds from 2014 allocation)Balance from 2014 Allocation (Calendar Year) 0 (Only stating the really unallocated balance, which can still

be newly programmed; only to be include in the new template if activities can be suggested that can still be implemented in 2015)

Additional Allocation to country in 2015 300,000

Total Available 300,000

Activity / cost Description

Global Output

ReferenceUNEP

BudgetILO

BudgetUNIDO Budget

UNITAR Budget

UNDP Budget

Total for Activity

WorkstreamOutcome 1: GE goals and targets in national dev. planning processesOpportunity mapping mission (Jan) 1.2 5,500

Pre-scoping mission 1.2 5,000 5,000 10,000

Joint Scoping Mission 1.2 51,500 2,000 5,000 48,500

Stocktaking report 1.1 62,000 56,000

Awareness raising event 1.2 25,500 6,000 5,000 30,500

Outcome 2: Sectoral policy reformGreen Industry Certification Scheme 2.1 40,500 40,500

Outcome 3: Institutional and individual capacity buildingTotal 149,500 8,000 55,500 0 0 191,000Overall coordination lead agency (32k flatrate) 24,000 8,000 32,000

39 1. The budget for an activity or work stream is done on full costing basis. This means the budget for an activity shown in this table includes the staff time attributed to the implementation of the activity, related travel, related publication cost (such as editing, printing or translations for reports), consultants supporting and implementing the activity. A general rule applies of not adding more that 25% of staff cost to the direct cost of an activity. Detailed calculations for the activity budgets are done by the agency leading the activity or Workstream.2. A flat rate for the overall coordination of the country work can be charged by the lead agency. Maximum amount for this is 32,000 equivalent to two generic staff. Other agencies do not charge general coordination cost. Transfers by UNDP cables to be reflected under the agency that is responsible for the activity and not under UNDP.

50


Total 173,500 8,000 63,500 0 0 245,000Balance 55,000

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Annex B.3

PAGE Planned Budget40 for PAGE China in Jiangsu Province (‘US$, 2016-2017 allocation and unallocated funds from 2015 allocation)

Balance from 2015 Allocation (Calendar Year) 95,50041 (Only stating the really unallocated balance, which

can still be newly programmed; only to be include in the new template if activities can be suggested that can still be implemented in 2016)

Additional Allocation to Country in 2016 420,000

Total Available 515,500

Activity / cost Description

Global Output

referenceUNEP

BudgetILO

BudgetUNIDO Budget

UNITAR Budget

UNDP Budget

Total for Activity

Workstream

Outcome 1: GE goals and targets in national dev. planning processesGreen Economy Indicators 1.2 83,000 83,000

Outcome 2: Sectoral policy reformGreen Industry Certification Scheme 2.1 40,500 40,500

Eco-industrial park 2.1 30,000 30,000Energy Transition Assessment 2.1 79,000 79,000

South-South trade in renewable energy and EGS

2.1/2.2 120,000 120,000

Outcome 3: Institutional and individual capacity buildingProvincial GE Academy 40,000 10000 50,000Green entrepreneurship training 45,000 45,000

National Coordinator 36,000 36,000

Total 358,000 45,000 70,500 0 10,000 483,500Overall coordination lead agency (32k flatrate) 24,000 8,000 32,000

Total 382,000 45,000 78,500 0 10,000 515,500

Balance 0

40 Refer to footnote 39.41 The balance of US$ 95,500 includes 1) unplanned balance of US$ 55,000 from 2015; and 2) US$ 40,500 for the delayed activities to be implemented by UNIDO in 2015.

52

UNDP-ILO-UNDP-UNIDO-UNITAR project ‘Partnership for Action on Green Economy’ (PAGE)MID-TERM EVALUATION REPORT – CHINA CASE STUDYMission dates: 25 August- 12-September-2016

Annex C PAGE Jiangsu (China) Provincial Logframe

(Modified, based on Version dated on 28 June 2016)

Intended Results Indicators Sources/Means of Verification

Assumptions/

External Factors

Supporting PAGE Agencies/Fund holder*42 and

Partners

Impact [Overall Long Term Goal, by 2030] Impact Indicators

Jiangsu (China) is transforming its economy to eradicate poverty, increase social equity and decent jobs, strengthen livelihoods and environmental stewardship, and sustain growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (from global log-frame)

Increased decoupling of growth from resource

Consumption & environmental degradation

Increased number of decent green jobs (disaggregated by gender)

Increased number of green business start-ups/greened existing enterprises

Increased number of people with access to safe water, clean energy, sanitation and other environmental amenities and social services

Reports from International Resource Panel (IRP)

Global Environment Outlook (GEOs)

ILO reports

Human Development Reports (HDRs)

Long-term political commitment

Cohesive national development planning

All PAGE Partners

Government

Social Partners

Other development partners

42 *Indicates which PAGE agency is holding PAGE funding provided through the global PAGE trust fund.

53


Outcomes**43 [Medium Term Objectives, 2014-

2017]Outcome Indicators Sources/Means of

VerificationAssumptions/

External Factors

Supporting PAGE Agencies/Fund holder*44 and Partners

Overall Outcome: Jiangsu (China) reframed economic policy around sustainability and put in place enabling policy conditions, reforms, incentives, business models, and partnerships to catalyze greater action and investment in green technologies, and natural, human, and social capital [based on global log-frame]

Priority national sustainability targets including at sector level announced

Investment increased to achieve the targets

Fiscal, industrial/sector and labor policies made conducive to greening of economic structure

A regular capacity development mechanism in place to support ongoing green economy policy process

National media Government budget

and reports

Policy documents

Stakeholders agree on priority sustainability targets

Required investment or shift in investment takes place

Enabling policies implemented and stable

A prominent national institution designated for providing ongoing technical support

All partners

Specific Outcome 1: Provincial level roadmap Provincial 13th FYP Governance All partners

43 **The National Outcomes and National Outputs are linked to and contribute to the following Global Outcomes and Outputs in the Global PAGE Logframe. Global Outcome 1: Country X has integrated and reinforced inclusive green economy (IGE) goals and targets into national economic and development planning through multi-sectoral/ multi-stakeholder collaboration and aligned with the SDGs; Global Outputs: 1.1 IGE diagnostics, assessments, and policy analysis undertaken; 1.2 Public, private and civil society actors engaged in cross-sectoral IGE prioritization, target setting, and costing;Global Outcome 2: Country X has implemented selected sectoral and thematic policy analysis and reform in line with national IGE priorities. Global Outputs: 2.1 Sectoral diagnostics, assessments, and policy analysis undertaken; 2.2 Advisory support integrated in designing and advancing sectoral and/or thematic policies, strategies, plans; 2.3 IGE financing partners mobilized and engaged including UNCT, donors, IFIs, and private sectorGlobal Outcome 3: Individual, institutional and planning capacities for IGE action strengthened at the national and global level. Global Outputs: 3.1 Planning, institutional and communication capacities at national level strengthened in line with country context; 3.2 Nationally tailored training programs developed and delivered; 3.3 Global and regional leadership and training programs and packages developed and delivered for individuals and institution 44 *Indicates which PAGE agency is holding PAGE funding provided through the global PAGE trust fund;

54


Jiangsu (China) has reinforced and integrated inclusive green economy (IGE) goals and targets into SDG-aligned national economic and development planning through multi-stakeholder collaboration [based on global log-frame]

for the 13th Five Year Plan (FYP) includes green economy related goals and targets

Green economy and green jobs indicators used for monitoring of Ecological Civilization implementation

Longer term development vision includes green economy priorities

Action Plans/policy reforms adopted by Provincial Government

stability

Political commitment

Specific Outcome 2: Jiangsu (China) has implemented evidence-based sectoral and thematic reforms in line with national IGE priorities [based on global log-frame]

At least 2 sectors/thematic areas reflect IGE approach and GE targets

Decisions by Government

Action plans/policy reform documents adopted by Government

Governance stability

Political commitment

All partners

Specific Outcome 3: Jiangsu (China) has strengthened Individual, institutional and planning capacities for IGE action [based on global logframe]

Number of new institutions capacitated to engage in green economy action through PAGE support

Number of decision-makers and experts trained who engage in green economy action

GE knowledge base among national and provincial stakeholders established

Workshop reports Annual PAGE

Reports

Quality of training Ability to select the

right candidates

All partners

55


Provincial Outputs per Specific Outcome

Relates to

Global Output

# **

Provincial Output Indicators Sources/Means of Verification

Assumptions/External Factors

Supporting PAGE Agencies/Fund

holder* & Provincial Partners

1. National Outputs for Outcome 1 Jiangsu (China) has integrated and reinforced inclusive green economy (IGE) goals and targets into provincial economic and development planning though multi-sectoral/multi-stakeholder collaboration and aligned with the SDGs45

1.1 Green economy policymaking indicators, including green jobs, developed to assist and monitor the implementation of Jiangsu’s implementation of ecological civilization

1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 3.2

Green economy policymaking indicators validated by the provincial government

National and provincial experts trained and contributing expertise

A database established to support future use of indicators

Green Economy Indicators report, including green jobs policy mapping

Stakeholders and experts consultation

Database for indicators

Commitment by government decision-makers

Availability of data

UNEP*/UNIDO/ILO PRCEE, Jiangsu

Provincial International Cooperation Center for Environmental Economy and Technology, and National & Provincial Statistics Office

2. National Outputs for Outcome 2 Jiangsu (China) has implemented selected sectoral and thematic policy analysis and reform in line with national IGE priorities 46

Theme/Sector 2.1: Green Industry Certification SchemeGreen industry assessment conducted

2.1 2.3 3.2

Report on green industry assessment, with investment and access to technology information as well as success cases to share with other provinces and countries

Green industry assessment report

Workshop participants list

Buy-in by government and businesses

Availability of information

UNIDO*

45 Note: Individual capacity development activities that directly contribute to outcome 1 outputs is included in Section1.1. Additional broader capacity development activities are included under outcome 3.46 Note: Individual capacity development activities that directly contribute to outcome 2 outputs is included in Section Theme 2.1 – Theme 2.4. Additional broader capacity development activities are included under outcome 3.

56


Awareness raising and capacity building workshop conducted for local green businesses to understand the concept and practices of green industry

Theme/Sector 2.2: Network of Eco-Industrial parksEstablished network of Industrial parks (both eco-parks and chemical industrial parks) to share information and experiences

2.1 2.3

Number of Eco-Industrial parks involved

Report completed with case studies of eco-industrial parks in Jiangsu Province

Number of meeting for industrial parks in Jiangsu Province

Number of information event

Number of Foreign Industrial parks participated the information exchange event

List of participating Eco-Industrial parks

Meeting minutes Report

Commitment by the government and Eco-Industrial parks

UNEP*/UNIDO PRCEE and

Jiangsu Provincial International Cooperation Center for Environmental Economy and Technology

Theme/Sector 2.3: Energy Transition AssessmentAssessment on energy transition, including policy recommendations, provided to the government

2.1 2.3 3.1 3.2

One assessment report completed providing energy transition analysis, policy tools and recommendations

Number of workshops/consultation

Report Participant list Meeting minutes Website

Commitment by provincial departments and businesses

UNEP*/All partners PRCEE and

Jiangsu Provincial government

57


held Number of communication

materials prepared to raise awareness

Number of green energy technology information exchange event

Theme/Sector 2.4: Exploring the Role of Trade in Transition to a Green Economy2.4.1 Opportunities in south-south trade in renewable energy discussed and explored (with focus on selected developing countries each year)

2.1 2.2

Workshop/meeting/field trip conducted

Overall south-south trade in renewable energy introduced

Jiangsu’s trade with selected developing countries in renewable energy analyzed

Opportunities and challenges to Jiangsu’s trade with developing countries in renewable energy discussed

Renewable energy markets in selected developing countries introduced and discussed

Jiangsu’s experience in renewable energy trade shared

Assessment of Jiangsu’s trade in renewable energy with selected developing countries (through desk research, questionnaires, surveys, interviews, etc.)

Reports of workshop / meeting / field trip

List of participants of workshop / symposium /meeting /field trip

Information sheet for exporting to selected developing countries (for companies interested in exporting to those countries)

Policy recommendation for local governments on promoting trade in

Commitment by the government, businesses and business associations

Engagement of experts from other developing countries

UNEP PRCEE and


58


renewable energy to selected developing countries

2.4.2 Knowledge and capacity improved in exploring and harvesting trade and investment opportunities in Environmental Goods and Services (EGS)

2.1 2.2 3.2

Capacity building workshop held

Knowledge of EGS improved (including definition, measurement, scope and methodology, latest trends and prospects)

Overall EGS trade introduced

Trade and investment policy instruments for EGS discussed (including implications of the EGA negotiation)

Good practices shared and summarized at both country/local and business level

Report of workshop List of participants and

feedback of workshop Brochure of case

studies on EGS trade

Commitment by the government, business and business associations

UNEP PRCEE and


3. National Outputs for Outcome 3 Individual, Institutional and Planning Capacities for IGE Action Strengthened3. 1 Institutional Capacity Development3.1.1 Capacity of the provincial departments strengthened to plan, and coordinate PAGE

3.1 Number of PAGE Workstreams effectively coordinated by Provincial government dedicated staff to support PAGE coordination

Annual work plan of Ministry

Annual PAGE report

Commitment by provincial departments

UNEP*/All partners PRCEE and


59


in support of the provincial development plan3.1.2 Inter-departmental steering group for green development and PAGE in place

3.1 Number of departments and experts involved in the steering group

Government communiqué on establishment of committee

Committee meeting reports

Commitment of all concerned ministries

All partners PRCEE and


3.2 Individual Capacity Development (in addition to individual capacity development activities included under outcome 1 and 2)3.2.1 Provincially tailored GE Academy conducted

3.2 Number of people participated in the training

Number of people who report having increased their capacity in IGE related issues

Attendance list Training materials Feedback forms Reports of training

activities

Availability of relevant materials, including case studies

Availability of multi-lingual capacity

Commitment of participants

All partners PRCEE and


3.2.2 Green Entrepreneurship training for trainers

3.2 Number of green entrepreneurship trainers granted the certificate for training

A network for green entrepreneurship trainers established

Participant list Number of certificate of

green entrepreneurship trainer granted

Commitment by trainers

ILO* Jiangsu Provincial

Bureau of Human Resource and Social Security

3.2.3 Green Entrepreneurship training for

3.2 Number of green entrepreneurs trained

Participants list Commitment by entrepreneurs

ILO* Jiangsu Provincial

Bureau of Human

60


entrepreneurs Resource and Social Security

3.3 Provincial Planning, Coordination and Communication3.3.1 Key sectors and stakeholder groups engaged in provincial PAGE planning

3.1 Number of sectors, and stakeholder groups engaged in PAGE planning

One approved work plan by the government for 2016-2017

Workshop/PAGE reports

Government approved work plan for 2016-2017

Buy-in by government and stakeholders

Commitment by participating institutions

UNEP*/All partners

PRCEE and Jiangsu Provincial government and stakeholders

3.3.2. Partnerships with other provinces committed to IGE developed

3.1 Number of provinces engaged in PAGE activities

Workshop/PAGE Reports

Commitment by Partners

All partners

3.3.3. Communication products developed and shared at the national and international level

3.1 Number of documents published and shared

Website Endorsement of communication materials by key parties

All partners

3.3.4. National Coordinator in place

3.1 One national coordinator recruited

Contract of the national coordinator

Qualification of candidates

UNEP*

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1. Key Activities for 2016-2017 under Outputs of Outcome 1 Comments1.1 Green Economy IndicatorsKey Activities: Initial experts workshop, Q2 2016 Workshop to discuss draft green economy policy making indicators report, Q1 2017 Validation consultation, Q2 2017 Launch of green economy policy making indicators report, Q2 20172. Key Activities for 2016-2017 under Outputs of Outcome 22.1 Green Industry Certification SchemeKey Activities: An awareness raising and capacity building event, Q1 2017 Green Industry Certification Scheme Report, Q2 2017 Information of green industry technology available online, Q2 2017 2.2 Industrial parks NetworkKey Activities: A group Industrial parks selected Q1 2017 First meeting, Q1 2017 Information exchange event including discussion of report (bring peers from other countries to Jiangsu), Q2 2017 Report on Network of Industrial Parks, Q3 20172.3 Assessment of energy transitionKey Activities: Expert workshop on energy transition, Q1 2017 Information exchange on green energy technologies, Q2 2017 Report launch, Q3 20172.4 Exploring the Role of Trade in Transition to a Green EconomyKey activities: Workshop on south-south trade in renewable energy, Q4, 2016 Capacity building Workshop on EGS trade, Q4, 2016 A full session on Trade and Green Economy in the Provincial GE Academy, Q1, 2017 Report for south-south trade and EGS finalized, Q2 20173. Key Activities for 2016-2017 under Outputs of Outcome 33.1 Institutional Capacity DevelopmentKey Activities: Capacity of the provincial departments (Output 3.1.1) Provincial GE Academy, Q1 2017Key Activities: Inter-departmental steering group (Output 3.1.2)

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NSC established, Q1 2017 Regular Inter-departmental steering group meetings3.2 Individual Capacity Development (in addition to individual capacity development activities included under outcome 1 and 2)Key Activities: Provincial GE Academy (Output 3.2.1) Provincial GE Academy, Q1 2017Key Activities: Green Entrepreneurship training for trainers (Output 3.2.2) Training for trainers, Q2, 2017Key Activities: Green Entrepreneurship training for entrepreneurs (Output 3.2.3) First training for entrepreneurs, Q2-Q3, 2017 Second training for entrepreneurs, Q3- Q4, 20173.3 Provincial Planning, Coordination and CommunicationKey Activities: Key sectors and stakeholder groups engaged in provincial PAGE planning (Output 3.3.1) Approved work plan by the government, Q4 2016 NSC meeting to discuss next year’s workplan, Q1 2017Key Activities: Partnerships with other provinces committed to IGE developed (Output 3.3.2) Discussion with the Secretariat and partners on the modality of working with other province/city in China, Q4

2016Key Activities: Communication products developed and shared at the national and international level (Output 3.3.3) Regularly update the PAGE China webpage, WeChat news, and other social media to promote the work in

ChinaKey Activities: National Coordinator (Output 3.3.4) National coordinator recruited, Q4 2016

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Annex D Reconstructed Theory of Change (RToC)

OUTPUTS1. Green economy policymaking indicators, including green jobs, developed to assist and monitor the implementation of Jiangsu’s implementation of ecological civilization.

OUTPUTS2.1 Study on Green Industry Certification Scheme completed and well received by the government;2.2: Network of Eco Industrial Parks established and functioning effectively;2.3: Energy Transition Assessment completed;2.4: Knowledge and capacity in exploring the Role of Trade in Transition to a Green Economy. improved

OUTPUTS3. 1 Capacity of the provincial departments strengthened to plan and coordinate PAGE in support of the provincial development plan;3.2 Training of Trainers (ToT) on green entrepreneurship and training workshops for green entrepreneurs conducted;3.3 Mechanisms for multi-stakeholders engagement, project results communications and replication established and function effectively.

ASSUMPTIONS:- Commitment by government decision-makers;- Availability of data;- Buy-in by businesses.DRIVERS:- Effective coordination of stakeholders- Linkage with political performance assessment system of the Government;- Identified policy champions in financing and planning sectors

ASSUMPTIONS-Commitment by the government, Eco-Industrial parks, businesses and business associations;- Availability of information; - Engagement of experts from other developing countries.DRIVERS: - Action oriented & inter-disciplinary research, multi stakeholder processes and inter-departmental coordination aligned; -Practical solutions for private sector; -Expertise available; -Targeted analysis to Inform policy processes; -5 UN Agencies provide coordinated support;-Identified policy champions in financing and planning sectors;

ASSUMPTIONS- Commitment by all concerned stakeholders including ministries, provincial departments, participating institutions, trainers and trainees, and entrepreneurs;- Availability of multi-lingual capacity and relevant materials, including case studies;Buy-in by government and stakeholders;- Endorsement of communication materials by key stakeholders.

DRIVERS:- Effective capacity building approaches;- Identified policy champions in financing and planning sectors;- Secured ownership at national, provincial and municipal levels.

OVERALL OUTCOME:

Jiangsu (China) reframed economic policy around sustainability and put in place enabling policy conditions, reforms, incentives, business models, and partnerships to catalyze greater action and investment in green technologies, and natural, human, and social capital

ASSUMPTION:-Stakeholders agree on priority sustainability targets; - Required investment or shift in investment takes place; - Enabling policies implemented and stable; - A prominent national institution designated for providing ongoing technical support.

DRIVERS- Active engagement and involvement of line government line agencies in financing, planning and social development decision-making remained; - Evidence based policy recommendations effectively developed and accepted by line government line agencies, e.g. fiscal, industrial/sector and labor policies made conducive to greening of economic structure, inclusion of green economy related goals and targets in provincial level roadmap for the 13th FYP, green economy and green jobs indicators used for monitoring of Ecological Civilization implementation, etc.

ASSUMPTIONS- Long-term political commitment to priority sustainability targets;- Mainstreaming of GE principles in financing and development planning; - Contributions from multiple sectors and stakeholder (including private sector) to ensure self-sustaining integrated approach;- Financial sustainability – improved fiscal system and self-financing mechanisms to facilitate scale up of actions;- Required investment or shift in investment takes place- Enabling policies implemented and stable;- A prominent national institution designated for providing on-going technical support.

DRIVERS- On-going engagement with Jiangsu Province by International Organisations;- Establishment and function a multi-stakeholders mechanism; - Sufficient capacity & skills to implement policies;- Strong evidence base to promote policies;- Improved development and financing policies with more emphasis on social equity and equality, and sharing of development results;- Enhanced role of business in achieving SDGs.

INTERMEDIATE STATE- Staggering policy reform in financing and planning, and political performance systems; - Introducing, piloting and scaling up application of innovative policy tools and instruments, e.g. green financing;- Great shift of fiscal investments to green and innovation economy;- Involving a broad range of stakeholders.

OUTCOME 1Jiangsu (China) has reinforced and integrated inclusive green economy (IGE) goals and targets into SDG-aligned national economic and development planning through multi-stakeholder collaboration

OUTCOME 2: Jiangsu (China) has implemented evidence-based sectoral and thematic reforms in line with national IGE priorities

OUTCOME 3:Jiangsu (China) has strengthened Individual, institutional and planning capacities for IGE action

IMPACT Jiangsu (China) is

transforming its economy to

eradicate poverty,

increase social equity and

decent jobs, strengthen

livelihoods and environmental stewardship, and sustain

growth in line with the

Sustainable Development Goals Goals

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Annex E PAGE China Stakeholders Mapping(National and Provincial Levels, Jiangsu Province and Dongying City of Shandong Province)

Stakeholders

Workstream (i.e. policy, analysis / research, capacity building,

finance, M&E)

Interests and / or Impacts Role in Evaluation

GOVERNMENT (NATIONAL)International Organization and Conventions Division, Ministry of Environmental Protection

- National focal point responsible for overall project supervision and coordination for policy inputs at national level.

- Key partner at the national level on future directions and sustainability of interventions;- Having been informed of the project progress in Jiangsu, but not directly involved in the detailed activities.

－ Not involved in the MTE due to conflict of schedules

Environmental Strategy Division, Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE), MEP

- A primary stakeholder at national level coordinating project implementation with Delegation of Authorities of MET;- Leading partner for development of the Stocktaking Report (completed), and Energy assessment which will start in late 2016

- National institute for PAGE China.- Having been playing important role in project implementation including author of the stocktaking report, organizer of 3 missions to the province and secured participation of key officials and experts in the PAGE China activities.- Strong willingness in hosting Secretariat of PAGE China, which is suggested to be established in late 2016;- High potentials for replicating the project experiences in other provinces by using its network and synergies identified between the Project and PRCEE’s initiatives.

- Coordinating participation of the involved stakeholders in the MTE.- Active participation in the MTE including provision of briefs on project implementation and management, and thoughts on next step

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Stakeholders


finance, M&E)


GOVERNMENT (JIANGSU PROVINCE)Environmental Protection Department of Jiangsu Province

- The focal point overseeing and coordinating the overall project implementation in Jiangsu Province

- Strong interests in furthering international cooperation in environment in Jiangsu Province;- Strong interests in introducing best international practices for promoting improvement of environment policies and theirs effective implementation.- Strong interests in identifying opportunities and challenges in promoting development of green economy in Jiangsu Province;- Opportunities of policy impacts at provincial level in green economy development through policy recommendations including priority areas and policy solutions.- Political willingness in coordinating with relevant organizations the implementation of the introduced project concept through establishing synergies and cohesions.

- Coordinating participation of the involved stakeholders in the MTE.- Active participation in the MTE including provision of briefs on policy and practices in realizing low carbon and green development

Jiangsu Development and Reform Commission

- A primary stakeholder for implementing policy reform and capacity building related activities in relation to green economy development;- Attended project

- Strong interests in introducing the project’s experience and lessons learned to domestic projects;- Strong political willingness in supporting the project with incorporating the recommendations and strategies proposed by the project in Government-funded projects in the future; and

- Active participation in the MTE including provision of briefs on policy and practices in realizing low carbon and green development

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Stakeholders


finance, M&E)


activities and provided comments on the stocktaking report

- Opportunities of magnifying the project impacts by using DRC system elsewhere in Jiangsu Province in order to achieve project goals, including Economic Development Zones in Jiangsu Province- Opportunity of incorporating policy instruments proposed into implementation of the 13th FYP

Nanjing Commerce Bureau

- An important stakeholder on trade related work in late 2016

- Shawn interests in participating in the project;- Having attended the stocktaking report launch ceremony.

- Not involved in the MTE

Provincial Statistic Office

- An important stakeholder on

- Haven’t bee involved in the project activities

- Role of BHRSS in the project to be discussed and agreed.


Bureau of Human Resource and Social Security

- Haven’t been involved in the project activities

- Role of BHRSS in the project to be discussed and agreed.


GOVERNMENT (DONGYING CITY, SHANDONG PROVINCE)Office for Foreign Affaires and Overseas Chinese Affaires

- Haven’t been involved in the project activities funded by regular PAGE budget;- A key government agency that secured government contribution

- Strong interests in furthering international cooperation in environment in Dongying City of Shandong Province;- Strong interests in introducing best international practices for promoting transformation of economic development model in Dongying City- Strong interests in identifying opportunities and

- Coordinating participation of the involved stakeholders in the MTE.

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Stakeholders


finance, M&E)


of US$ 150,000 for the pilot in Dongying City, Shandong Province;- A focal point for overall management of the project implementation and maintaining effective regular contact with UNEP and other stakeholders and ensure smooth project implementation

challenges in promoting development of green economy in Dongying City;- Political willingness in coordinating with relevant organizations the implementation of the introduced project concept through establishing synergies and cohesions.

Development and Reform Commission

- Haven’t been involved in the project activities funded by regular PAGE budget;- A key government agency for implementing PAGE activities in Dongying City to be funded by Government contribution

- Strong interests in introducing the project’s experience and lessons learned to domestic projects;- Strong political willingness in supporting the project with incorporating the recommendations and strategies proposed by the project in implementation of the 13th FYP, for example in the fields of green manufacturing, upgrading chemical industry, rubber and tires industries, nonferrous metal industry, clean energy development and promotion of circular economy.- Opportunities of magnifying the project impacts by using DRC system in order to achieve project goals


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Stakeholders


finance, M&E)


by leveraging policy and financial support from the government and private sector.

Commission of Economy and Information Technology

- Haven’t been involved in the project activities funded by regular PAGE budget;- A key government agency for implementing PAGE activities in Dongying City to be funded by Government contribution

- Clear mandates and strong interests in promoting establishing a national level circular economy demonstration city in Dongying City;- Clearly identified priorities for economic transformation towards green economy, e.g. establishment of circular industrial system, eco-agricultural system, circular economy based service industry system, urban waste recycling system, and new social development system;- Knowledge and capacity gaps in the above 5 priority areas indicating potential opportunities for the project to collaborate.


Bureau of Finance - Haven’t been involved in the project activities funded by regular PAGE budget;- An important partner to support the project to expand project impacts in financing policies and channels for green economy development

- A key government agency in promoting economic transformation and upgrading;- Strong interests in and clearly identified priorities for green development, environment governance, ecological construction ad promotion of sustainable living;- Potential opportunities for collaboration existing in areas of appropriate financial mechanisms and instruments for promotion of economic transformation and upgrading with focuses on


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Stakeholders


finance, M&E)


energy saving, closing down backward production facilities; pollution control and prevention, promotion of new energy vehicles, and so on.

Environment Protection Bureau

- Haven’t been involved in the project activities funded by regular PAGE budget;

- Strong interests in contributing to the drafting and finalization of policy deliverables in consideration of existing policies and priorities as identified in the sectorial plan and the needs of advanced policy instruments for improved in environment sustainability;- Opportunities of following the project experience and lessons for the sector policies, projects and daily work in order to achieve the project goals


Economic Development Zone Administration


- Strong interests in developing and application of performance assessment indicator system in Economic Development Zone;- The urgent needs of capacity building for green development of the Economic Development Zone.


CIVIL SOCIETY AND INSTITUTIONSBeijing Normal University

- A key technical stakeholder for Green Industrial Certification Scheme, which will start in late 2016

- Hosted for the UNEP-UNIDO Green Industry Platform.- Attended the joint scoping mission and the stocktaking launch and provided advisory support.

- Active participation in the MTE including provision of briefs on policy and practices in realizing low carbon and

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Stakeholders


finance, M&E)


green developmentChinese Academy of Environmental Planning

- A key technical advisory body providing expert inputs and guidance to Nanjing University on Green Economy Indicators work, which will start in late 2016 upon receiving new funding.

- Attended all PAGE events in Jiangsu and provided peer review and suggestions to PAGE study;- Strong interests in partnering with UNEP projects in China and support the project to disseminate project results at higher level.


Nanjing University - New partner for the project starting 2016;- Leading partner for Green Economy Indicators, which will start in late 2016

- Provided peer review for the stocktaking report;- Organized a short event for indicators during the stocktaking launch;- Strong interests in promoting application of green economy indicators.


PRIVATE SECTOR AND COMMUNITIESChina Grand Enterprises

- Haven’t been involved in the project activities under

- Arranged the visit to their company during the pre-scoping mission

－ Not involved in the MTE

Shandong Wanda Baotong Tires Co. Ltd, Dongying City, Shandong Province


Strong interests in participating on the PAGE China activities.

Actively participated in the MTE and provision of briefs on practices towards low carbon and

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Stakeholders


finance, M&E)


green developmentShandong Huatai Paper Co. Ltd, Dongying City, Shandong Province



- Actively participated in the MTE and provision of briefs on practices towards low carbon and green development

Dahai Group, Dongying City, Shandong Province




Shengdong Group, Dongying City, Shandong Province




Shengli Xinda Industrial Group, Dongying City, Shandong Province




Shandong Chenglin Low Carbon & Environment

- Haven’t been involved in the project activities funded by regular PAGE


- Actively participated in the MTE and provision of briefs on practices

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Stakeholders


finance, M&E)


Protection Industries Co. Ltd, Dongying City, Shandong Province

budget; towards low carbon and green development

Dongying Jinhua Decoration Co. Ltd, Dongying City, Shandong Province




INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SOCIETYWWF China - Haven’t been involved

in the project activities funded by regular PAGE budget;

- Attended 2 PAGE missions, provided peer review, advisory inputs to green financing and the stocktaking report;- Demonstrated interests in providing continuous advisory support to PAGE China;


Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)


- Attended the joint scoping mission, provided advisory inputs, peer review to the stocktaking report;- Continuous involvement of GGGI to be discussed following departure of the involved staff from GGGI.


Green Technology Center Korea

- Haven’t been involved in the project activities under PAGE China

- Attended the stocktaking report launch;- Continuous involvement of GTCK to be discussed


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Annex F List of Project Reports Reviewed or Consulted

1. Project Document – Partnership for Action on a Green Economy (09/12/ 2013)2. Draft PAGE Operational Strategy 2016-20203. Joint Letter of Support for PAGE in Jiangsu Province, China (CN and ENG)4. PAGE Annual Progress Report 20155. Detailed Annual Progress Report_20156. PAGE China Implementation Progress as of 6 September 20167. Pre-scoping Survey for PAGE Project in Jiangsu Province 8. Minutes of the PAGE Scoping Mission in Jiangsu Province (16-18 Nov 2015)9. Scoping Green Economy in Jiangsu China_Outline_2015101610. Workshop on Green Economy Development, Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Building and Awareness Promotion, Nov, 201511. PAGE China Stakeholders Mapping 12. Launch of a Stocktaking Report of Green Economy in Jiangsu Province, June 201613. Minutes of the Stocktaking Report Launch, PAGE China (Jiangsu Province), 17 June 201614. Participants List, Launch of a Stocktaking Report of Green Economy in Jiangsu Province, June 201615. Stocktaking Report of Green Economy in Jiangsu Province (final, CN and ENG), June 201616. PAGE China (Jiangsu Province) Fiche17. PAGE China Logframe, June 201618. PAGE Country Budget Template (China) (Internal)19. Presentations by stakeholders interviewed during the MTE 20. Introduction to Sino-US Industrial Park April 201621. Introduction to Practices of Environment Compliance of Suzhou Industrial Park

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Annex G A List of Stakeholders Interviewed/Met

Name Position and OrganizationUNEP, ILO, UNITAR, UNDP, UNIDO Project Managers and key project officersMr. Fulai Sheng Head of Research and Partnership Unit, Economics and

Trade Branch, UNEP, China Focal PointMs. Zhengzheng Qu Programme Officer, Economics and Trade Branch United

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)Dr. Nanqing Jiang Interim National Coordinator, Programme Officer, UNEP

ChinaMs. Lurraine Villacorta Green Jobs Specialist, ILOMs. Jie Zhou National Project Officer, ILO ChinaMs. Claudia Linke Heep Industrial Development Officer and UNIDO’s focal point in

the PAGE Technical TeamMr. Carsten Germer Assistant Country Director, PAGE focal point in UNDP

China OfficeMs. Sarwat Chowdhury Policy Specialist, member of the PAGE Technical Team,

UNDP’s focal point for PAGE MongoliaMinistry of Environment protectionDr. Yu Hai, Director of Environmental Strategy Division, Policy

Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE), MEP

Partners in Jiangsu ProvinceMr. Fenglin Hua Director, International Environmental Development

Centre (IEDC), Department of Environment ProtectionMs. Yiqun Luo Senior Program Officer, International Environmental

Development Centre (IEDC), Department of Environment Protection

Mr. Yanjun Lei Deputy Director, Division of Planning, Development and Reform Commission (DRC)

Ms. Jing Wang Section Chief, Ecological Planning Section, Provincial Ecological Evaluation Centre (PEEC)

Mr. Chuang Li Engineer, Ecological Planning Section, Provincial Ecological Evaluation Centre (PEEC)

Mr. Yanan Xing Engineer, Institute of Green Development, Provincial Academy of Environment Sciences (PAES)

Stakeholders in Dongying City, Shandong ProvinceMr. Guangfeng Chen Director, Office for Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese

Affaires (OFAOCA)Mrs. Yan Xu Deputy Director, Office for Foreign Affairs and Overseas

Chinese Affaires (OFAOCA)Mrs. Meiqing Zhao Section Chief, Foreign Affairs Section, Office for Foreign

Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affaires (OFAOCA)

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Name Position and Organization

Mrs. Cuizhi Ren Section Chief, Development and Reform Commission (DRC)

Mr. Qingliang Bo Director, Energy Saving OfficeMr. Fangtian Yin Deputy Director, Bureau of Finance (BOF)Mr. Wenze Jia Deputy Director, Environment Protection Bureau (EPB)Mr. Dazhog Zhang Deputy Secretary General, Unban Affaire AdministrationMr. Tao Jiang Director, Economic Development Zone AdministrationMrs. Xiangying Li Section Chief, Social Affairs Section, Research OfficeMr. Weiguang Zhang Chief Engineer, Shandong Wanda Baotong Tires Co. LtdMr. Shibing Xie Deputy General Manager, Shandong Huatai Paper Co.

LtdMr. Weihua Li Manager, Project Management Department, Dahai GroupMr. Zhichun Wang General Manager, Shengdong GroupMr. Feng Jiang Director, Business Department, Shengli Xinda Industrial

GroupMr. Yanbin Lan General Manager ， Shandong Chenglin Low Carbon &

Environment Protection Industries Co. LtdMr. Guohua Cui General Manager, Dongying Jinhua Decoration Co. LtdMrs. Yingzhe Xu Director, General Office, Dongying Jinhua Decoration Co.

LtdKey Source PersonsMs. Jiangwen Guo Senior Programme Manager, former GGGI professional

staffMr. Yiting SUN Sustainable Banking and Finance Program Manager,

WWF China,Mr. Yeping Zhuang Compliance Officer, Suzhou Industrial Park

AdministrationDr. Zhanfen Dong Associate Director, Department of Environment Policy,

China Academy of Environment (CAEP)Prof. Haoran Pan School of Economics and Resource Management, Beijing

Normal University (BNU)Prof. Bing Zhang Nanjing University

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Annex H Preparation and Readiness

Discussions about the project design at the country level and some specific questions:1. Were project stakeholders47 adequately identified and were they sufficiently involved in project development and ground truthing e.g. of proposed timeframe and budget?

The final selection of Provinces was made between PAGE China partners and Ministry of Environment Protection and interested Provinces and Municipalities through stakeholders mapping. Multi-sectoral stakeholders of Government of China at provincial and municipal levels were very active. 2. Were the project’s objectives and components clear, practicable and feasible within its timeframe?

The MTE noted the outstanding efforts of the PAGE China including PAGE partners and key stakeholders at national and provincial and municipal levels in China, including the China focal points, PRCEE, Department of Environment Protection of Jiangsu Province, and key stakeholders. The Project design adopted participatory and consultative approaches to identify objectives, the actions necessary to address GE issues and the most appropriate stakeholders and institutions for implementation. The PAGE China was designed with the support of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Department of Environment Protection of Jiangsu Province.

The project design responds to a change in government strategy that integrated concepts and principles of Sustainable Development in national and provincial level planning of development and environmental protection. The government’s commitment to sustainable development has been reflected in Central, Provincial, municipal and five-year plans. The government’s increased awareness and commitment to address environmental and social challenges drew support from the international community, who are keenly aware of the global implications of the PRC’s size and potential impact of balancing economic growth models and environment and social protection approaches. The preparation of the Project was generally satisfactory and the process was an awareness and capacity building effort that benefitted the Project stakeholders at national, Provincial and City levels.3. Are potentially negative environmental, economic and social impacts of projects identified?

The project environment impact is positive and there are no foreseen major environmental, economic and social risks that may significantly jeopardize the sustainability of Project outcomes.

The Project demonstrates high potential catalytic role in ensuring that the GE and IGE principles and recommended actions and approaches are adopted in other

47 Stakeholders are the individuals, groups, institutions, or other bodies that have an interest or ‘stake’ in the outcome of the project. The term also applies to those potentially adversely affected by the project.

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national programs and Projects addressing transformation of economy toward GE and IGE in the future. The catalytic actions of the Project could be significant with continued strengths in preparing strategically important planning tools, sharing knowledge and introducing innovative new techniques to transform economy and reform prospective policies at provincial and municipal levels. 4. Were the capacities of partner agencies properly considered when the project was designed?

The project preparation and implementation process were an awareness and capacity building effort that benefitted the Project stakeholders at national, Provincial and City levels. The design responds to the capacity building needs of key stakeholders at various levels. 5. Were the partnership arrangements properly identified and the roles and responsibilities negotiated prior to project implementation?

The partnership arrangement for PAGE China is in line with overall partnership arrangement of the PAGE. 6. Were counterpart resources (funding, staff, and facilities) and enabling legislation assured

Funding of PAGE China is mainly from PAGE Trust Fund. Partners provided adequate staff inputs as required by the approved Workplans. The MTE noticed that Dongying City of Shandong Province committed sizable financial resources for its commitment of working on green economy (self-financing).7. Were adequate project management arrangements in place?

As of the MTE, overall project management arrangements have been established with clear vision of responsibilities. UNEP Geneva is responsible for overall implementation coordination with support of the interim national coordinator (UNEP based), and providing the Project with macro-level guidance on Project direction, sustainability and compliance with fiduciary standards, in line with international best practices and reporting.

A long-standing multi-stakeholder mechanism/Commission, which will manage PAGE work in China and a Secretariat of the mechanism/Commission are included in the project design, but they are still be established in late 2016 or early 2017. In the absence of a long-standing multi-stakeholder mechanism/Commission and a Secretariat of the mechanism/Commission, the project experienced some difficulties in ensuring substantive technical and inputs, and it is envisaged that this could have negative impacts on long-term sustainability of the results

The M&E plan was well designed. At project design, it was envisioned that the monitoring system would serve as a basis for tracking progress towards achievement of Project objectives, outcomes and outputs as well as for assessing the impacts.

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Annex I A Proposed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC)

In accordance with the PAGE China organizational structure, PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC) is to be established to provide to provide strategic and policy guidance and in-the-country coordination and technical steering/support, review and approve annual work plans and budgets, monitor progress in project implementation, and ensure synergies with other on-going policy initiatives and major programmes supported by domestic funding and international agencies, policy advocacy and influencing and impacts reporting. The NSC will function its role and responsibilities in forms of NSC meeting (regular and additional) and participation of NSC members in the project monitoring/review/supervision missions.

The NSC will act as the main policy body for project oversight. The NSC will review project progress, make recommendations and approve the annual workplan and budget for subsequent endorsement by UNEP, make decisions on major issues such as the reviewing and endorsing of annual progress reports of the project, and endorsement of various mandatory reports. However, the role of the NSC has to be functional within the policies and conditions of UNEP and other PAGE partners, and donor agencies, such as contracting, procurement of equipment and materials, staff salaries, etc. Specific Functions

Specific functions of the NSC will include:• Oversight of project delivery and project performance (M&E); • Annual review of project activities to assess project development; • Approving annual project work plans and budgets for submission to UNEP; • Approving any major changes in project plans; • Approving major project deliverables; • Review of the final reports from project experts and consultants;• Coordinating conflicts within the project and/or negotiating solutions between the project and any parties beyond the scope of the project; • Ensuring coordination amongst partner agencies and key stakeholders, and similar ongoing programmes, projects and initiative funded by domestic and international funds.The NSC, chaired by representatives of the participating agencies (by rotation),

will be assisted by the Secretariat on setting the annual meeting agenda, draft reports on NSC meetings and related matters. The Secretariat will prepare and present consolidated progress & M&E reports for annual review by the NSC.

As the NSC will provide overall guidance to the project, day-to-day management and administration of the project will be handled by the National Coordinator, under supervision of UNEP China Focal Point for PAGE.

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The NSC should be consulted for supporting any changes to the workplan or budget, and is responsible for ensuring that the project remains on target with respect to its achievement of Outcomes. Where necessary, the NSC will support new activities or outputs, or adjustment of targets in coordination with, and approval from UNEP.Composition

The NSC will be composed of representatives from partner agencies and key stakeholders at national, provincial and municipal levels in China. They are:

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP);• International Labor Organization (ILO)• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO);• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR);• Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP);• Department of Environmental Protection (DEP);• Development and Reform Commission (DRC);• Department of Finance (DoF);• Representatives from lead agencies of participating provinces and municipalities;• UNEP China Focal Point for PAGE (will attend at least once annually during NSC meeting reviewing annual progress, new work plans and budgets).

Frequency and Conduct of MeetingsThe NSC will meet semi-annually to review project progress, approve project

work plans and approve major project deliverables. The members of the NSC will be expected to communicate via other means, e.g. e-mail and telephone, on urgent project related matters.

The NSC meeting will be chaired by a representative elected from the NSC (on a rotational annual basis). The NSC may decide to vary the membership of the NSC through the additional representatives from NGOs, research institutions, the private sector and the selected new participating province municipalities for replication.

The NSC will establish its own Rules of Procedure, based on the principle of consensus. However, if consensus cannot be reached on a given matter, and all efforts are exhausted, UNEP will decide eventually – given its ultimate responsibility on PAGE China.Supporting Arrangements

The Secretariat hosted by Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE), MEP, will provide support to the NSC. Formal meetings will be scheduled and arranged by the National Coordinator in consultation with, and at the request of, the other NSC members. Additional meetings of the NSC can be requested by any of its members, and will be considered and may be approved by UNEP within the budget limitations of PAGE China.

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Annex J A Proposed Terms of Reference (ToR) for National Coordinator

The National Coordinator will be based in Secretariat of the PAGE China National Steering Committee (NSC), which will be hosted by Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE), Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP).

The National Coordinator will be in charge of assisting Chairperson of the NSC and UNEP China Focal Point to oversee the day-to-day in-the country coordination and project implementation, organizing and overseeing national and international consultant input, overseeing monitoring and evaluation and ensuring that the project is on track, working effectively with members of all partners, i.e. government leading agency of PAGE China, 5 UN partners agencies and national and provincial partners, as well as NGOs, academic institutions, to ensure that project activities proceed on schedule and with high quality, and partner and stakeholders are well consulted in decision making and informed of project progress and results delivery.

The National Coordinator will also act as a technical and coordination contact point at the Secretariat for technical and coordination matters of the project implementation. The National Coordinator will work under direct leadership and supervision of the UNEP Focal Point for PAGE and Chairperson of the NSC.

Key responsibilities will include:

1. Assist UNEP China Focal Point to coordinate planning, management and implementation of PAGE activities as scheduled and planned and as approved by the NSC and UNEP;

2. Work in close collaboration with the partners to ensure coherence between all the project components and partners;

3. Under supervision and guidance of the Chairperson of the NSC and UNEP China Focal Point, lead on preparation of NSC meetings including mobilizing technical inputs to preparation of NSC documentations;

4. Ensure the sharing and flow of information in a transparent manner among all the project partners, stakeholders and global secretariat as appropriate;

5. Coordinate the preparation of detailed annual work plans consistent with expected outputs and objectives of the Project;

6. Assisting in managing the project budget under the leadership of the UNEP China Focal Point and ensure that timely financial reports are submitted by all implementing partners;

7. Participate in the recruitment of project personnel, subcontractors and consultants and coordinate with project personnel to enable strong quality control;

8. Supervise the timely preparation and submission of quarterly update, six monthly report and annual progress reports, work plans, budgets, and

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financial reports by all the implementing partners; and consolidating prospective report and plans for overall PAGE China;

9. Ensure regular liaison and communications with government partner agencies, UN partner agencies and key project stakeholders;

10. Undertake monitoring of the project, facilitate internal and external evaluations and promote information dissemination and sharing of lessons learnt through the implementation of this project;

11. Other assignments and responsibilities as assigned and delegated by the UNEP China Focal Point.

Minimal requirements:

1. Minimum a university degree or equivalent (master degree is preferable) in environment management, environmental economics, political economics, development economics, project management or related fields.

2. Native fluency in Chinese and professional proficiency in English.

Selection criteria:

1. Well organized with a proven track record of project coordination and implementation management of NGO, bilateral or multi-lateral projects.

2. Knowledge of economic transformation, environment protection, financing, and government laws, regulations and policies regarding economic and institutional reform, environment protection, financing, social equity, SoE reform and PoEs development.

3. Familiarity with relevant government policy development process, sound understanding of central-local relations of the governance system, and experiences of working with governments and industrial sector at national and provincial levels.

4. Experience conducting economic related research, environment protection, public awareness promotion;

5. Advanced knowledge and practical skills of organizing multi-stakeholders participated high level meetings, conferences and seminars;

6. Experiences and skills in networking, influencing and interpersonal.

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Annex K A Full List of Email Addresses for Circulation of China Case StudyName Position and Organization Email Addresses

Mr. Fulai Sheng Head of Economic Research Unit, Economics and Trade Branch, UNEP, China Focal Point

[email protected]

Ms. Alexandra Galef Consultant, Advisory Services Unit / Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), Economics and Trade Branch, UNEP

[email protected]

Ms. Zhengzheng Qu Programme Officer, Economics and Trade Branch, UNEP [email protected]. Nanqing Jiang Interim National Coordinator, Programme Officer, UNEP China [email protected]. Lurraine Villacorta Green Jobs Specialist, ILO [email protected]. Xubiao Zhang National Project Officer, ILO China [email protected]. Jie Zhou National Project Officer, ILO China [email protected]. Claudia Linke Heep Industrial Development Officer, PAGE focal point, UNIDO [email protected]. Carsten Germer Assistant Country Director, PAGE focal point in UNDP China Office [email protected]. Sarwat Chowdhury Policy Specialist, focal point for PAGE Mongolia, UNDP [email protected]. Amrei HORSTBRINK Specialist for Green Development and Climate Change, UNITAR [email protected]. Yu Hai Director of Environmental Strategy Division, PRCEE, MEP [email protected]. Fenglin Hua Director, International Environmental Development Centre (IEDC),

Department of Environment Protection, Jiangsu [email protected]

Ms. Yiqun Luo Senior Program Officer, International Environmental Development Centre (IEDC), Department of Environment Protection, Jiangsu Province

[email protected]

Mr. Guangfeng Chen Director, Office for Foreign Affaires and Overseas Chinese Affaires, Dongying City, Shandong Province

[email protected]

Mr. Yan Xu Deputy Director, Office for Foreign Affaires and Overseas Chinese Affaires, Dongying City, Shandong Province

[email protected]

Ms. Jiangwen Guo Senior Programme Manager, former GGGI professional staff [email protected]. Yiting Sun Program Manager for Sustainable Banking and Finance, WWF China, [email protected]. Zhanfeng Dong Associate Director, Department of Environment Policy, China Academy

of Environment (CAEP)[email protected]

Prof. Haoran Pan Professor, School of Economics and Resource Management, Beijing Normal University (BNU)

[email protected]

Prof. Bing Zhang Professor, Nanjing University [email protected]

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