LDCs Workshop COP11Montreal 24 – 25 November

2005

SBSTA agenda item 3: on 5 – years programme of work on adaptation

By: Nagmeldin Goutbi ElhassanHCENR, Sudan

The IPCC and UNFCCC process IPCC assesses scientific literature and provides

vital scientific information to the climate change process

FAR 1990 helped launch negotiations on the Convention

SAR 1995 helped negotiations on the K P TAR 2001 provides stronger evidence of a

warming world and urges parties for prompt actions now !

IPCC also produces many TP, MR and SR in response to the needs of SB and COP

SBSTA TAR agenda:

SBSTA started by consideration of the IPCC TAR at its different sessions since SBSTA 15

SBSTA started by organizing a workshop to explore the results contained in the TAR and how these can facilitate the work of the SBs and COP

Recognized the importance of dissemination of the results of the TAR at regional and sub regional level in the context of article 6 of the convention

SBSTA TAR agenda:

The workshop discussed the information of the TAR under two general headings (groups): Risk Analysis, considered Atmospheric chemistry,

detection, attribution, prediction and observation of global climate variability and change (WGI) and the impact of climate change (WGII)

Risk Management, considered: Adaptation to climate change (WGII) and effects of mitigation measures and innovative technologies (WGIII) In addition each group explored: scientific uncertainty,

methodologies and research

SBSTA TAR agenda: Workshop Conclusions (1):

Identified a list of topics for further discussion that might facilitate the work of SBSTA and other convention bodies:• Issues related to scientific basis of climate change

• Scientific uncertainty

• Research and systematic observation

• Impacts and adaptation

• Effects of measures

• Innovative technology development

• Methodological issues

• Other matters

SBSTA TAR agenda: Workshop Conclusions:

TAR contains information with broad implications for possible work of the SBSTA over next few years. Therefore it is useful to

have TAR as a regular item on the agenda of the SBSTA.

As a result SBSTA 16 concluded, TAR should be used routinely as a useful

reference for informing the UNFCCC process

SBSTA TAR agenda: Decision 25/CP.7

The COP expresses appreciation and gratitude to the IPCC for the TAR and encourages IPCC to continue its assessment work (AF4)

Encourages parties to make full use of the TAR Urges parties to nominate and support scientists to

contribute to the IPCC work Particularly urges annex I parties to continue to provide

necessary financial support to IPCC Urges parties to contribute to IPCC trust fund to enable

more experts from DC to participate in IPCC work

SBSTA TAR agenda :

• SBSTA 16 identified 3 areas to be considered regularly by SBSTA:

• Research and systematic observation (R&SO)

• Scientific, technical and socioeconomic aspects of, impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to C.C

• Scientific, technical and socioeconomic aspects of mitigation

SBSTA TAR agenda (R&SO):

SBSTA 17 decided to considered issues related to research on climate change regularly at its future sessions in order:• To inform parties about international and

intergovernmental research programmes through periodic briefings;

• To provide a forum for consideration of research needs and priorities and ways and means for addressing them;

• To communicate these research needs and priorities to scientific community

SBSTA TAR agenda:

SBSTA 18 initiated two new separate agenda items at its 20th session for regular consideration:

• Scientific, technical and socioeconomic aspects of, impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation

• Scientific, technical and socioeconomic aspects of mitigation

Two in-session workshops (May and December 2004) conducted in SBSTA 19 and 20, on different aspects of the adaptation matter (same for mitigation)

Adaptation agenda: COP9, Milan 2003

Decision 10/CP.9 adopted SBSTA conclusions and requested the SBSTA to initiate its work on the 2 separate agendas, and to

Focus on exchanging information and sharing experiences and views among parties on practical opportunities and solutions to facilitate the implementation of the convention

To initiate its consideration of this mattar,

Adaptation agenda: COP10, Argentina 2004

1/CP.10 requested the SBSTA to develop structured five-year programme of work on adaptation to climate change

Four general issues specified to address by the work programme namely, methodologies, data and modeling; vulnerability assessment; adaptation planning, measures and action; and integration into sustainable development

These should be in the context of the SBSTA mandate (article 9 of convention)

Adaptation agenda:

SBSTA 22 conducted a third in-session workshop. Presentation from parties and discussions focused on:

• Objectives

• Scope of work

• Structure

• major milestones

At the end the SBSTA chair prepared a summary for consideration by the contact group at SBSTA 22,

Adaptation agenda.

SBSTA 22 considered the summary of the chair however work could not be completed

SBSTA agreed to further consider and elaborate, at its 23th session, the draft decision and its annex (the work programme) with the view to forward a draft decision for adoption at COP11

Some concluding remarks

Presence of LDCs is generally weak in this agenda item

LDCs should use this agenda to inform, facilitate financial and technological support of real adaptation actions by the convention

Current, short, and long terms adaptation needs should be considered under the adaptation programme

Available scientific evident attribute the current frequency and intensity of extreme events to climate change

Some concluding remarks

Adaptation is a need caused by global environmental problem and should be treated the same as mitigation

Mainstreaming and integration into sustainable development is a priority for all nation and should not constitute a barrier for financing the urgent needs for adaptation

UNFCCC should take the main responsibility for adaptation, however cooperation with MEAs and others is very important

Some concluding remarks

Many good practices in adaptation are available now and could be applied and replicated

Many tools for identifying, assessing and planning adaptation are available now

Cost of adaptation will increase if we wait, therefore we need to start NOW

Thank You