Browse by: "2020"

This report provides a broad and evidence-based analytical perspective of the debate around the possible role of a Border Carbon Adjustment (BCA) to deal with climate change. The new context of divergent climate ambition has led to a resurgence of interest in BCAs. The paper provides an overview of different policy instruments that can limit carbon leakage, with a particular focus on the BCA option, and offers a technical review of the literature and of the legal specificities around BCA as well as of alternative instruments. The report also analyses the issue of fragmented climate policies in the broader perspective of the trade-climate nexus and discusses how other policy measures – especially those related to trade – can help support climate objectives (for example, reducing the existing barriers to trade in environmental goods, and removing environmentally harmful and trade distortive subsidies).

This report identifies the success factors for accessibility-based approaches to transport project appraisal. It explores the role of cost-benefit analysis as an appraisal tool and how it could better address distributional issues. Finally, it reviews the case for aligning accessibility metrics more closely with policy objectives and how they can be communicated via accessibility mapping.

L'OCDE s'appuie sur 60 ans d'expérience pour aider les gouvernements à élaborer des politiques qui assureront une vie meilleure aux populations du monde entier. L’objectif de l’Organisation est d’élaborer des politiques qui favorisent la prospérité, la durabilité, l'inclusivité et le bien-être de tous. Cette brochure, créée à l'occasion du 60e anniversaire de la création de l'OCDE, montre le chemin parcouru et ce que l'organisation est devenue aujourd'hui.

This report aims to contribute to the discussion on a ‘Safe(r) Innovation Approach’ for more sustainable nanomaterials and nano-enabled products. The document presents common working descriptions to ensure a common understanding of concepts such as Safe(r) Innovation Approach and its elements, Safe(r)-by-Design and Regulatory Preparedness. The document compiles existing risk assessment tools, frameworks and initiatives developed for Safe(r)-by-Design. The inventory of risk assessment tools and frameworks should contribute to assisting industry in implementing a 'Safe(r) Innovation Approach' for NMs and nano-enabled products. This includes a review of lessons learned from applying existing Safe(r)-by-Design concepts and tools and methods applied in hazard, exposure and risk assessment and management along the innovation value chain. Additionally, it assesses the applicability of Safe(r)-by-Design through case studies and existing initiatives, analysing constraints and limitations. The report also compiles information on regulatory initiatives related to the review of innovative approaches and technologies. Finally, it gathers information on regulatory initiatives related to innovative approaches and assesses their integration into current legislation or guidance.

Subnational governments’ capacity to effectively fund and deliver public services are crucial for the realisation of the benefits of decentralisation. However, subnational capacities often suffer from significant weaknesses, ranging from inadequate assignments of own-revenues, through to flaws in tax administration, the design of intergovernmental transfers, spending assignments and various aspects of public financial management. The volume discusses how better diagnostics and more strategic reforms can contribute to easing the resource constraints on subnational governments, as well as creating appropriate incentives for these governments to improve performance. The volume includes studies of the enabling conditions for subnational capacity building in Asia, as well as focused studies of China and India's fiscal relations challenges.

Ce rapport présente un examen détaillé du traitement fiscal des organismes et dons philanthropiques dans 40 pays membres et partenaires de l'OCDE. Le rapport examine d'abord les divers arguments pour et contre l’octroi d’un traitement fiscal préférentiel à la philanthropie. Il examine ensuite le traitement fiscal des entités et dons philanthropiques dans les 40 pays ayant pris part à l’étude, sous un angle à la fois national et transfrontalier. S'appuyant sur cette analyse, le rapport met enfin en évidence un éventail d'options potentielles de politique fiscale que les pays peuvent envisager.

The interconnected challenges of our times call for a coherent and multidimensional approach to public governance. The OECD Policy Framework on Sound Public Governance provides governments at all levels with an integrated diagnostic, guidance and benchmarking tool that aims to improve the quality of public governance – an objective that takes on immediate strategic importance for governments as they strive to manage the COVID-19 crisis and plan for a sustainable and inclusive recovery. The Framework builds on OECD legal instruments in the area, on lessons learned over the past decade through the OECD’s Public Governance Reviews (PGRs) and other country and sector-specific assessments. The first part shows the importance of key governance values and provides an overview of enablers of sound public governance that governments can adopt to pursue successful reforms. The second part presents an overview of management tools and policy instruments that can enhance the quality and impact of policy-making at the different stages of the policy cycle. Each chapter poses a number of strategic questions that policy-makers can use to self-assess the institutional and decision-making capacity of their governments in key public governance areas.

Latvia sees high rates of obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption. In turn, this results in a high incidence of preventable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and many cancers. This puts a burden on a health system which is already operating on a very tight budget as compared to other OECD countries. This OECD report shows that Latvia has many of the policies it needs to address these problems in place. However, Latvia needs to go further to ensure the health system can effectively prevent diseases, not just cure them. This will require redesigning policies to reach a larger population and efforts to educate the population to understand how to protect their health. Better screening programmes are needed, as is a stronger primary care sector, and access to essential medicines for all Latvians.

Jordan is undertaking ambitious decentralization reforms to place citizens at the heart of local policies and services. This review analyses the main gaps in the current needs assessment process, which aims to mainstream a participatory approach for the design of local development plans and budgetary allocations through a yearly collection and assessment of citizens’ needs. It provides actionable recommendations to strengthen the governance of this process, foster two-way communication and promote stakeholder participation at all stages of the policymaking cycle. The report accompanies the document “Supporting Open Government at the Local Level in Jordan” that aims to equip subnational public officials with the relevant knowledge and skills to mainstream transparency, integrity, accountability, and stakeholder participation into the functioning and machinery of local administrations.

The devastating impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on developing countries have tested the limits, ingenuity and flexibility of development co-operation while also uncovering best practices. This 58th edition of the Development Co-operation Report draws out early insights from leaders, OECD members, experts and civil society on the implications of coronavirus (COVID-19) for global solidarity and international co-operation for development in 2021 and beyond. The report suggests ways forward for the international development community as a whole for bold action and systemic reform to build resilient national and international systems capable of coping with global shocks, and providing and protecting global public goods while reinforcing the fundamental building blocks for sustainable development. The annual “development co-operation at a glance” infographics showcase the latest trends in development finance for over 80 providers of development co-operation, including members of the OECD, the Development Assistance Committee, other countries and philanthropic foundations.

Governments are seeking to improve evidence-based policy making as well as trust in decision-making processes. This report offers a first global mapping of principles for the good governance of evidence in policy making, as well as standards of evidence from a significant range of OECD countries and international research bodies. Reflecting both the nature of existing practices and the various facets that contribute to quality evidence, the report takes stock of the full range of considerations involved in providing evidence across the policy cycle when designing public sector interventions, especially in the social policy area. The report also represents a first step in identifying and developing guidance at the international level in the area of evidence and evaluation.

Ensuring a level playing field between public and private market participants bring more choice, higher quality and lower prices for consumers leading to economic growth and development on the long run. This review analyses issues of competitive neutrality in the small-package delivery services sector in Thailand, offering policy recommendations where changes could be made to foster competition in the sector and contribute to e-commerce growth by levelling the playing field between public and private companies.

Global Insurance Market Trends provides comparable, cross-country data on insurance markets. It is a comprehensive source of statistical information for government authorities (regulators, finance ministries, and central banks), the insurance sector, the research community, and consumers. The report is based on the inputs from national insurance authorities and supports monitoring and analysis of the insurance sector.