Browse by: "2023"

This report provides an overview of the main trends of annual development finance with biodiversity-related objectives for the period 2015 to 2021, from a range of sources: bilateral Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members and non-DAC members, South-South and triangular co-operation providers, multilateral development banks (MDBs) and other multilateral institutions, private finance mobilised by development finance, and private philanthropy. The estimates are based on OECD statistical data, capturing both official development assistance (ODA) and non-concessional development finance. It includes breakdowns by biodiversity-related providers, sectors, financial instruments, recipient country groupings, and on the biodiversity and climate change nexus. These elements can help DAC members and other stakeholders to step up and target their biodiversity-related investments, notably to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity and track progress against its Target 19(a) on resources mobilisation. The findings in this report draw from the OECD publication A Decade of Development Finance for Biodiversity: 2011-2020.

This paper discusses five innovation policy imperatives critical to achieving green and digital transitions: coordinated government, stakeholder engagement, policy agility and experimentation, directionality and support for breakthrough innovation. The paper provides policy examples from Germany, based on the OECD Review of Innovation Policy: Germany , and other countries to illustrate in what ways countries have addressed these imperatives. Overall, the quality and scale of these policy responses need to increase if transitions are to succeed. Open questions for future policy research are also highlighted.

Green hydrogen, produced from water and renewable power through the electrolysis process, can play a crucial role in the low-carbon transition to achieve the net-zero emission targets. Currently, the production cost of green hydrogen is not competitive when compared to hydrogen produced from natural gas. High capital costs are a major factor constraining its cost-competitiveness. This working paper utilises financial market data to address the knowledge gap concerning the range of Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) for green hydrogen projects. It also conducts a survey among investors and financiers to identify key risk factors contributing to the high WACC. The key risks that have been identified include offtaker risks, lack of credible offtakers, price uncertainty of green hydrogen, and the absence of hydrogen trading markets. These risks are closely connected to the available risk mitigation strategies and tools. The paper summarises key risk mitigation strategies identified through case studies of lighthouse green hydrogen projects that have either reached or are nearly point of reaching financial investment decisions.

Industry decarbonisation is a cornerstone to reach net-zero emissions by this mid-century. The diversity of industrial activities, processes and products, the complexity of global industrial value chains, and the international competition make industry decarbonisation a challenging objective. Annual investments in low-carbon technologies for industry decarbonisation need to increase by a factor of three to five by 2030 compared to current levels to align industrial emissions with net-zero pathways. This paper analyses available financing solutions to scale up investments at pace, especially in emerging and developing economies where industrial production is growing rapidly whilst available finance is limited. It highlights de-risking and financial instruments and models that can help accelerate investments and draws lessons from twelve financing industry decarbonisation case studies which demonstrate how private capital can be mobilised.

Ce rapport évalue l'état actuel et le potentiel futur des secteurs de la culture et de la création (SCC) dans les neuf régions ultrapériphériques de l'Union européenne : la Guadeloupe, la Guyane française, la Martinique, Mayotte, la Réunion et Saint-Martin (France) ; les Açores et Madère (Portugal) ; et les îles Canaries (Espagne). Les tendances mondiales, telles que l’augmentation du tourisme culturel, le commerce des biens et services créatifs et les IDE dans les SCC, offrent aux RUP de l’UE d’importantes opportunités de développer leurs secteurs de la culture et de la création, de promouvoir les synergies avec le tourisme et de contribuer à la création d’emplois. En outre, les politiques de SCC peuvent également améliorer le bien-être et la cohésion sociale en préservant et en promouvant le patrimoine culturel local et en encourageant la participation culturelle. Une politique de SCC qui capitalise sur ces tendances mondiales, tout en reconnaissant le contexte spécifique des RUP de l'UE, pourrait contribuer à promouvoir ces domaines et à contribuer au développement local.

S'appuyant sur les données du module "Opportunités" de la vague 2022 de l'enquête de l'OCDE "Les risques qui comptent", cette synthèse se penche sur les préoccupations des individus en matière d'inégalités et examine leurs points de vue sur le rôle joué par différents acteurs - des secteurs public et privé à la société civile et aux citoyens - dans la réduction des disparités économiques. L'analyse révèle une inquiétude généralisée face aux multiples dimensions des inégalités : en moyenne, près de sept personnes interrogées sur dix pensent que les ressources économiques devraient être réparties plus équitablement et près de la moitié d'entre elles estiment que les disparités non économiques sont trop importantes. Reconnaissant la nature complexe des inégalités, les personnes interrogées estiment également qu'il est nécessaire d'adopter une approche multipartite. Les gouvernements nationaux sont considérés comme des acteurs clés, mais non exclusifs, et plus de la moitié des répondants estiment que les acteurs publics et privés ont, ensemble, un rôle clé à jouer dans la lutte contre les inégalités.

Il est essentiel de comprendre les convictions des individus en matière de mobilité sociale afin de concevoir et de mettre en œuvre des politiques qui s'attaquent aux disparités structurelles et obtiennent le soutien de l'opinion publique. Les croyances en matière de mobilité sociale peuvent contribuer à renforcer le contrat social. Cependant, des opinions tranchées sur le rôle de l'effort individuel dans la détermination de la réussite peuvent également contribuer à diminuer le soutien aux politiques promouvant l'égalité des chances et la réduction des inégalités. S'appuyant sur les données du module "Opportunités" de la vague 2022 de l'enquête de l'OCDE "Les risques qui comptent", cette synthèse étudie les perceptions qu’ont les personnes sur les principaux déterminants de la mobilité sociale au sein de 27 pays de l'OCDE. En moyenne, 60% des personnes interrogées estiment que le travail est essentiel ou très important pour déterminer la position sociale d'un individu. Toutefois, parmi cette majorité, seul un cinquième pense que travailler dur est le seul facteur de la réussite.

Drawing on data from the Opportunities module of the 2022 wave of the OECD Risks that Matter survey, this Policy Insights looks at people’s concerns about inequality and examines their views on the role held by different actors – ranging from public and private sectors to civil society and citizens – in reducing economic divides. The analysis exposes a widespread concern about the multiple facets of inequality: on average, nearly seven-in-ten respondents think that economic resources should be distributed more equally and up to half of them believe that non-economic disparities are too high. Acknowledging the complex nature of inequality, respondents also recognise the need for a multi-stakeholder approach. National governments are seen as key but not exclusive players, and more than half of respondents believe that both public and private actors have a key role to play in addressing inequality.

Understanding people’s beliefs of social mobility is key to designing and implementing policy mixes that address structural disparities and garner broad public support. Beliefs in social mobility may help strengthen the social contract; however, strongly held views on the role of individual effort in determining success in life can also contribute to diminishing support for policies designed to promote greater opportunity for vulnerable populations and reduce inequality. Drawing on data from the Opportunities module of the 2022 wave of the OECD Risks that Matter survey, this policy insights investigates people’s views of the main determinants of social mobility in 27 OECD countries. On average, 60% of respondents believe that hard work is essential or very important in determining one’s social position. However, of this majority, only one-fifth believe that working hard is the only key factor to success.

This report assesses the current state and future potential of cultural and creative sectors (CCS) in the nine outermost regions of the European Union (EU): Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, and Saint Martin (France); the Azores and Madeira (Portugal); and the Canary Islands (Spain). Global trends, such as increases in cultural tourism, trade in creative goods and services, and FDI in CCS offer significant opportunities for EU outermost regions to expand their cultural and creative sectors, promote synergies with tourism and help drive job creation. In addition, CCS policies can also boost well-being outcomes and social cohesion through preserving and promoting local cultural heritage and encouraging cultural participation. CCS policy which capitalises on these global trends, whilst recognising the specific context of EU outermost regions, could help promote these areas and contribute to local development.

Millions of children around the globe experience justice problems and legal needs, which are especially acute for children facing other adversities and disadvantages. To this end, this OECD Child-Friendly Justice Framework supports countries in developing a government-wide strategy to strengthen child-friendly practices in the justice system. Building on the analysis of the legal needs of children and challenges they face when confronting justice problems, this framework provides a basis for child-friendly reforms of justice systems, in line with international standards and obligations. Underpinned by a clear child-centric purpose, the framework provides guidance and good practice examples for (1) designing and delivering child-friendly justice services, (2) establishing the governance enablers and infrastructure to support child-friendly services, (3) empowering children and justice system workers to facilitate child-friendly justice, and (4) planning, monitoring and accountability needed to ensure that child justice reforms are effective and sustained.

This document provides an integrated view on income-based tax incentives for R&D and innovation. It brings together the latest evidence on the adoption, design, generosity, cost and take-up of income-based tax incentives, and gives new insights into both the long-term and short-term trends in the take-up of income-based tax incentives by business and their cost to governments, including role of policy design changes. Furthermore, the report explores the scope for developing indicators that provide a more complete picture of the value of expenditure- and income-based tax relief for R&D and innovation in the OECD area and beyond.

Die Ems-Achse, eine ländliche Region im Nordwesten Deutschlands, kann auf ein Jahrzehnt des Wirtschaftswachstums zurückblicken. Mit dem Wachstum hat sich jedoch der Arbeitskräftemangel in der Region verschärft, insbesondere aufgrund einer alternden Bevölkerung und der Abwanderung junger Menschen. Viele regionale Akteur*innen haben das Potenzial von Telearbeit erkannt und wollen nun ausloten, inwieweit sich dem Arbeitskräftemangel mit Telearbeit begegnen lässt, und ein breiteres Spektrum qualifizierter Personen angelockt werden kann. Dieses Policy Paper untersucht drei Kernaspekte: Das Potenzial von Telearbeit, 1.) Menschen zu aktivieren, die derzeit nicht auf Stellensuche sind; 2.) den Talentpool auf umliegende Gebiete auszuweiten; und 3.) Arbeitskräfte aus Ballungsgebieten oder aus dem Ausland anzuwerben. Um Telearbeit erfolgreich zu machen, sollte die Region das Hochgeschwindigkeitsinternet ausbauen, für eine Kultur der Flexibilität in der Teamführung sorgen und digitale Kompetenzen fördern. Um die Ems-Achse als attraktiven Standort für Telearbeiter zu etablieren, ist es zudem wichtig, die Möglichkeiten für höhere Bildung zu verbessern, öffentliche Verkehrsangebote auszubauen und den Zugang für internationale Arbeitskräfte zum regionalen Arbeitsmarkt zu verbessern.

Les taux d'emploi et les salaires des femmes restent inférieurs à ceux des hommes dans les pays de l'OCDE, avec des écarts moyens d'emploi et de salaire désormais autour de 15% et 12% respectivement. Les écarts se sont réduits à un rythme relativement modeste au cours de la dernière décennie, ce qui appelle de nouvelles mesures politiques. Le manque de services de garde d'enfants abordables et leur qualité insuffisante constituent souvent un obstacle à la participation des femmes au marché du travail et notamment au travail à temps plein. Un partage très inégal du congé parental entre les parents et les difficultés rencontrées lors du retour au travail entravent encore davantage les carrières des femmes. Les biais du système fiscal peuvent décourager les femmes de travailler dans certains pays. Les femmes sont désavantagées dans l’accès aux postes de direction et à l’entrepreneuriat. Différentes politiques peuvent contribuer à réduire les écarts entre les genres, notamment une meilleure offre de garde d'enfants, l'incitation des parents à mieux partager le congé parental, la reconversion et la formation au retour du congé parental, l'encouragement de l'égalité des genres au sein des entreprises, des programmes d'intégration pour les femmes nées à l'étranger, la promotion de l’entrepreneuriat féminin et l’inclusion financière, ainsi que l’égalisation de la fiscalité sur les deuxièmes apporteurs de revenu. En outre, les multiples dimensions et causes profondes des inégalités de genre soulignent l’importance d’intégrer la dimension de genre dans tous les domaines de l’action publique.

This policy perspective was developed at the request of the Directorate for Education Reform, Scotland (United Kingdom) to provide an overview of how countries across the OECD assess social and emotional skills in upper secondary education. It is accompanied by, and draws on material from, a Peer Learning Discussion on the same topic in March 2023 in Scotland. It aims to provide an overview of literature and country approaches in an area where there is presently limited comparative information on national and system-wide approaches. The policy perspective addresses two key questions about country practices in assessing social and emotional skills (variously known among OECD countries as social and emotional skills, non-cognitive capacities, 21st-century skills, transversal competencies, and complex competencies): a) how do countries collect information on social and emotional on a systemic level; i.e. outside formal upper secondary certification, and b) how do countries assess social and emotional skills for the purposes of upper secondary certification? To answer these questions, the policy perspective provides an inventory and synthesis from 12 countries of approaches, models, and strategies used at the national level to document, assess, and recognise similarly challenging skills, and detailed cases of the model and strategy for assessment of social and emotional skills in Canada (British Columbia), Finland, and New Zealand.

People with disability face persisting difficulties in the labour market. There are concerns that AI, if managed poorly, could further exacerbate these challenges. Yet, AI also has the potential to create more inclusive and accommodating environments and might help remove some of the barriers faced by people with disability in the labour market. Building on interviews with more than 70 stakeholders, this report explores the potential of AI to foster employment for people with disability, accounting for both the transformative possibilities of AI-powered solutions and the risks attached to the increased use of AI for people with disability. It also identifies obstacles hindering the use of AI and discusses what governments could do to avoid the risks and seize the opportunities of using AI to support people with disability in the labour market.

In Europe, the introduction of the Council Recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee has helped put concerns relating to childhood disadvantages higher up on the policy agenda. Structured around ensuring effective access to a series of key child services, the ultimate goal of the European Child Guarantee is to promote opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and help stop the transmission of poverty and social exclusion across generations. But as European countries move forward with their plans for implementation, it is important to understand what child disadvantage looks like, as well as the potential lifelong effects it can have on children’s lives. This paper explores childhood socio-economic disadvantage in Austria from a comparative perspective. It sketches the breadth and depth of child poverty and material deprivation in Austria today, and discusses the potential longer-run economic costs of childhood disadvantage once disadvantaged children reach adulthood, based on findings from Clarke et al. (2022). It also discusses key policy challenges Austria will need to consider to tackle childhood socio-economic disadvantage.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) policies can have a major role in levelling the playing field in education and society by providing all children, and especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with opportunities to participate in high-quality early learning and development experiences. Countries face different challenges in promoting equity and inclusion in ECEC depending on the particular aspects of social, economic and cultural diversity that are salient in their contexts. Examining the prevalence of different dimensions of diversity in ECEC centres and their associations with indicators of quality, this policy brief points to directions that policymakers can take to ensure that ECEC systems address the needs of children from all backgrounds.