Green Industrial Policy: Promoting Competitiveness and Structural Transformation

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON GREEN INDUSTRIAL POLICY: PROMOTING COMPETITIVENESS AND STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION

COURSE BACKGROUND

Traditional industrial policy has long focused on boosting productivity, competitiveness, and economic growth through strategic government measures. Today, the urgent need to address environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and global warming necessitates a paradigm shift towards Green Industrial Policy. This modern approach integrates broader social and environmental goals into the traditional framework of state-driven structural change.

ECAS Institute offers this high-level technical course to advance learning on green industrial policy. By drawing from recent international examples, this course demonstrates how countries can achieve the benefits of traditional industrial policy—such as economic growth and job creation—while simultaneously accelerating the shift away from carbon-intensive industrial production towards more sustainable models. This dual objective is crucial for advancing the transition towards a green economy and mitigating environmental risks.

The course is designed to serve both individual learners seeking to grasp and shape the global debate on modernizing economies’ industrial bases, and lecturers/instructors who wish to integrate these critical materials into their existing curricula and programs. Building upon the foundational work and reports on green industrial policy developed under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) by UNEP, this training equips participants with the knowledge and conceptual tools to contribute meaningfully to this vital transition.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the rationale for advancing green industry as a strategic imperative for sustainable development.
2. Differentiate the main concepts and terminology related to green industrial policy from traditional industrial policy.
3. Highlight relevant empirical evidence and case studies that support the implementation of green industrial policy reform.
4. Distinguish various policy instruments available to foster structural change towards a green economy.
5. Appraise strategic considerations involved throughout the design, implementation, and evaluation phases of green industrial policies.
6. Outline the complex relationship between green industrial policy and international trade.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course offers a wide panorama of the main conceptual and empirical considerations within the current global green industrial policy debate. Through a high-technical level approach, you will learn to:

• Articulate the compelling reasons why nations must prioritize and invest in the advancement of green industries.
• Identify and differentiate core concepts that underpin green industrial policy, understanding its unique goals and mechanisms compared to conventional industrial policies.
• Analyze and leverage empirical evidence to advocate for and justify policy reforms aimed at greening industrial sectors.
• Discern and select appropriate policy instruments designed to effectively drive structural transformation towards more sustainable industrial models.
• Critically evaluate strategic considerations that are essential during the entire lifecycle of green industrial policy, from its initial design to its practical implementation and subsequent evaluation.
• Understand the intricate dynamics and interconnections between green industrial policy actions taken at the national level and their implications for international trade.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed to advance learning on green industrial policy at a high technical level. The program will combine theoretical insights with practical examples, case studies, and discussions based on the five conceptual and empirical modules. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and learning activities, will be communicated upon registration.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is designed for audiences with a robust pre-existing understanding of the wider topic and who seek to advance their knowledge of green industrial policy at a high technical level. It should be of particular interest to:

• Training Institutions and Universities: Entities responsible for educating the current and next generation of decision-makers in both public and private sectors.
• Policymakers and Planners: Individuals actively involved in the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of contemporary industrial policy, especially those with a focus on greening efforts.
• Civil Society Organizations: Including non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, and industrial associations engaging in promoting sustainable industrial development.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured into five comprehensive modules, providing a panoramic view of green industrial policy:

No	Module	Details
1.	Industrial Policy: Challenges and Opportunities	This module sets the stage by reviewing traditional industrial policy, its historical context, and the fundamental challenges and opportunities it presents in the modern economic landscape. The key objectives include: Definition and historical evolution of industrial policy. Rationale for government intervention in industrial development. Common pitfalls and successes of traditional industrial policies. Emerging global economic trends and their implications for industrial strategy.
2.	Green Industrial Policy: Conceptual Foundations	This module delves into the core conceptual underpinnings of green industrial policy, differentiating it from conventional approaches and emphasizing its dual economic and environmental objectives. The key objectives include: Defining green industrial policy and its distinctive features. Market failures and systemic failures that green industrial policy aims to address. The link between green industrial policy and sustainable development goals. The role of innovation and technological change in green industrial transformation.
3.	Strategic Development of Green Industrial Policy	This module focuses on the strategic considerations involved in designing effective green industrial policies, including empirical evidence and best practices. The key objectives include: Identifying priority sectors and technologies for green industrial development. Analyzing relevant empirical evidence and case studies from different countries. Frameworks for strategic foresight and planning in green industrial policy. Considerations for national context, capabilities, and existing industrial structures.
4.	Green Industrial Policy Instruments	This module provides a detailed overview of the various policy instruments governments can employ to foster structural change towards a green economy. The key objectives include: Demand-side instruments (e.g., green public procurement, consumer mandates). Supply-side instruments (e.g., subsidies, tax incentives, R&D support). Regulatory instruments (e.g., standards, environmental regulations). Financial mechanisms and investment promotion for green industries. Policy mixes and sequencing of instruments for optimal impact.
5.	Green Industrial Policy and Trade	This module explores the complex and increasingly important relationship between national green industrial policies and the international trade regime. The key objectives include: Potential trade implications of green industrial policies (e.g., green protectionism, carbon border adjustments). Compatibility of green industrial policies with WTO rules and international trade agreements. Opportunities for green trade and competitive advantages in new green industries. International cooperation and coordination in green industrial policy to avoid trade disputes.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.