THE UNFCCC GUIDELINES: AN INTRODUCTION

Workshop on the Use of the Guidelines for the Preparation of National Communications

from non-Annex I Parties

8-11 April 2003Port Louis, Mauritius

Martha PerdomoUNFCCC secretariat

mperdomo@unfccc.int

1. Introduction

2. Background

3. Guidelines adopted at COP 8 and related decisions

4. CGE (decision 3/CP.8)

5. New Funds

Table of contents

1. All Parties, taking into account ….(a) Inventory(b) Mitigation and adaptation(c) Technology transfer(d) Promote sustainable development(e) Cooperation in preparing for a adaptation, integrated plans(f) Impact assessment(g) Research and systematic observation(h) Exchange of scientific, technological, technical, socio- economic and legal information(i) Education, training and public awareness(j) Communicate to the COP, in accordance with

Article 12

Article 4 - Commitments

Information to be communicated in national communications (Article 12.1)

In accordance with Article 4.1, each Party shall communicate to the COP, through the secretariat, the following elements of information:

• A national inventory of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of all GHGs not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, to the extent its capacities permit, using comparable methodologies to be promoted and agreed upon by the COP;

• A general description of steps taken or envisaged by the Party to implement the Convention; and

• Any other information that the Party considers relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Convention and suitable for inclusion in its communication, including, if feasible, material relevant for calculations of global emission trends.

Frequency of submission (Article 12.5)

• … each non-Annex I Party shall make its initial communication within three years of the entry into force of the Convention for that Party, or of the availability of financial resources in accordance with Article 4, paragraph 3.

• Parties that are least developed countries may make their initial communication at their discretion.

• The frequency of subsequent communications by all Parties shall be determined by the Conference of the Parties.

National communication submissions by region

Share of NAI Parties that have submitted their initial national communicationTotal number of submission in brackets

88%

62%60% 60%

82%

75%

59%

20%

67%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Latin America

and the

Carribean

Asia and the

Pacifi c

Europe Af rica AOSIS SIDS LDCs OPEC World

Regions/Groups of Parties

(6)

(29)

(31)(33)

(28)

(27)

(27)

(2)

(99)

Relevant COP decisions

•Decision 11/CP.1 Initial guidance on policies, programme priorities and eligibility

criteria to the operating entity or entities of the financial mechanism

•Decision 10/CP.2 Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the

Convention: guidelines, facilitation and process of consideration

•Decision 11/CP.2 Guidance to the Global Environment Facility

Relevant COP decisions (cont.)

• Decision 2/CP.4 Additional guidance to the operating entity of the financial mechanism

• Decision 12/CP.4 Initial national communications from Parties not included in Annex

to the Convention

• Decision 8/CP.5 Other matters related to communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention

• Decision 31/CP.7 Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from non-Annex I Parties

• Decision 32/CP.7

Other matters relating to communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention

Revised Guidelines(Background)

• By decision 32/CP.7, the secretariat was to prepare the proposed draft guidelines, taking into account:(a) Third Compilation and Synthesis report(b) Recommendations of the CGE(c) Recommendations of an interregional workshop (April 2002)(d) Background information on the initial national communications

submitted as at 31 December 2001

• Draft guidelines (SBI Chairman’s text) were discussed at SBI 16 (FCCC/SBI/2002/INF.8)

• Views from Parties were submitted

• A compilation of the views from Parties prepared by the secretariat (FCCC/SBI/2002/INF.9)

• Negotiations at COP 8

• Decision 17/CP.8 Guidelines for the preparation of national communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention

Guidelines adopted at COP8(Decision 17/CP.8)

Guidelines contained in the annex to decision 17/CP.8, together with the guidance to an operating entity of the financial mechanism provided in decision 6/CP.8, should be used for the preparation of second and, where appropriate, third and initial national communications

Decision 17/CP.8

Frequency of submission of second, and where appropriate, third national communications, shall be determined by COP 9

Invites non-Annex I Parties to use elements from the guidelines for Annex I countries, in preparing their national communications

Requests the secretariat: To facilitate assistance to non-Annex I Parties in the preparation of their

national communications To prepare reports for consideration by the SBI

Guidelines adopted at COP8(Decision 17/CP.8)

Section 1: Objectives

To assist non-Annex I Parties in meeting their reporting requirements

To encourage the presentation of information in a consistent, transparent and comparable, and flexible manner

To facilitate the presentation of information on support required for the preparation of national communications

To serve as a policy guidance to the GEF for the timely provision of financial support

To ensure that the COP has sufficient information to carry out its responsibility for assessing the implementation of the Convention by Parties

Guidelines adopted at COP8(Decision 17/CP.8)

Condition (p 27) “27. Taking into account Article 4, paragraph 7, and, as

appropriate, Article 4, paragraphs 3 and 5, of the Convention, the extent to which developing country Parties will effectively implement their commitment to communicate this information will depend on the effective implementation by developed country Parties of their commitments under the Convention relating to financial resources and transfer of technology.”

Summary of guidelines

Old guidelines (decision 10/CP.2) New guidelines (decision 17/CP.8)

• Objectives

• National circumstances • National circumstances

• Inventory of emissions/removals • National GHG inventory

• General description of steps • General description of steps– programmes containing measures to facilitate adequate adaptation– programmes containing measures to mitigate climate change

• Other information • Other information– transfer of technologies (4/CP.7)– research and systematic observation (5/CP.5)– education, training and public

awareness (Article 6)– capacity-building (2/CP.7)– information and networking

• Financial and technological •Constraints and gaps needs and constraints

Capacity-building in developing countries (2/CP.7)

• Institutional capacity-building and/or strengthening

• The preparation of national communications

• The preparation of climate change programmes

• GHG inventories, emission database management, and system for collecting and utilizing activity data and EF

• Vulnerability and adaptation assessment

• Implementation of adaptation measures

• Development and transfer of technology

Development and transfer of technologies (4/CP.7)

• Technology needs and needs assessments

• Technology information and enabling environments

• Capacity-building in relation to technology transfer (education and training)

• Mechanisms for transfer of technology

Establishment of the EGTT

Decision 5/CP.5

• There is a need to identify the priority capacity-building needs related to participation in systematic observation

• Invites GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) to organize workshops

• Urges Parties to address deficiencies in their climate observing networks, propose projects, identify capacity-building needs and funding required to collect, exchange and utilize data on a continuous basis

• Adopt the UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate observing systems

Other relevant COP decisions

• Decision 3/CP.8 Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (CGE)

• Decision 6/CP.8 Additional guidance to an operating entity of the financial mechanism

Additional guidance to the operating entity of the financial mechanism (6/CP.8)

The GEF should:(a) On matters relating to national

communications: Provide financial resources at an appropriate

level to cover the requirements of the guidelines (decision 17/CP.8) in an expedited manner, on an agreed full costs basis, for the preparation of national communications, as well as capacity-building activities pursuant to decision 2/CP.7 and paragraphs 1(c), 3 and 4 of decision 6/CP.7

Consultative Group of Experts(decision 3/CP.8)

• The CGE shall have a new mandate in accordance with its revised terms of reference

• The mandate and revised terms of reference shall be reviewed at COP 13

• Arrangements for funding of the meetings of the CGE should be provided in the budget of the secretariat as of 2004

Revised terms of reference of the CGE

The Consultative Group of Experts shall be composed of experts drawn from the roster of experts:

• Five experts nominated by non-Annex I Parties from each of the three regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean

• Six from Annex I Parties, including one from EIT

• One from each of 3 international organizations with relevant experience, selected by the secretariat

Revised terms of reference of the CGE

• The members of the Consultative Group of Experts shall be nominated for a period of two years and shall serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Continuity and institutional memory should be ensured.

• Representatives from the three regional groups ofnon-Annex I Parties shall serve as Chair and Rapporteur on a rotational basis. The Chair shall serve for a period of one year. The Rapporteur shall succeed in serving as Chair, at which time a new Rapporteur shall be nominated

Revised terms of reference of the CGE

• The Consultative Group of Experts shall meet not more than twice a year, each time in conjunction with meetings of the subsidiary bodies, or with scheduled workshops. Ad hoc meetings may be convened, when deemed necessary to fulfil its mandate, depending on the number of national communications to be considered.

Mandate of the CGE

• Identify and assess technical problems and constraints that have affected the preparation of initial national communications by non-Annex I Parties that have yet to complete them

• Identify and assess the difficulties encountered by non-Annex I Parties in the use of the guidelines and methodologies for the preparation of national communications and make recommendations for their improvement

• Examine national communications submitted to the secretariat, in particular, the description of analytical and methodological issues, including technical problems and constraints in the preparation and reporting of greenhouse gas inventories, mitigation activities, vulnerability and adaptation assessments and other information, with a view to improving the consistency of the information provided, data collection, the use of local and regional emission factors and activity data and the development of methodologies

Mandate of the CGE

• Provide technical advice and support, by organizing and conducting workshops, including hand-on training workshops at regional or subregional level as well as training on the use of the guidelines

• Review existing activities and programmes, including those of multilateral and bilateral funding sources, to facilitate and support the preparation of second and subsequent national communications by non-Annex I Parties

• Provide, as appropriate, technical advice to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation on matters relating to the implementation of the Convention by non-Annex I Parties under the UNFCCC

• Develop the agenda for workshops and meetings with the assistance by the secretariat, to ensure adequate coverage of issues identified in the mandate. Experts and resource persons at these workshops will be drawn from the roster of experts. If deemed necessary, other experts of international standing can be invited.

New Funds

Funding under the Convention (decision 7/CP.7 )

LDC fundDecision 27/CP.7Decision 8/CP.8

Special Climate Change Fund

Decision 7/CP.8

Funding under the Kyoto Protocol (decision 10/CP.7)Adaptation Fund

History of support for the preparation of national communications

Projects 1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

UNEP/WMO/IPCCGEF/UNEP – Country Case Studies of Sources and Sinks of Greenhouse GasesGEF/UNDP – Asia Least-Cost Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy (ALGAS)GEF/UNITAR – CC:TRAIN – Phase I+IIUnited States Country Studies Program (USCSP)

Germany (GTZ) – Measures to Implement the UNFCCCGEF/UNDP – Building Capacity in MaghrebGEF/UNEP – Economics of GHG Limitations – Phase IGEF/UNDP – Building Capacity in Sub-Saharan AfricaGEF – Climate Change Enabling Activities - Full ProjectsGEF/UNEP – Country Studies on Climate change Impacts and Adaptation Assessments (Phase I)

Netherlands Climate Change Assistance Program (NCCSAP)UNITAR – Certificate Training Course of Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation AssessmentGEF/World Bank – Regional Planning for Adaptation to Global Climate Change

GEF – Climate Change Enabling Activities Expedited Projects (phase I)New Zealand – Pacific Islands Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Certificate CourseFinland – Support to the Implementation of the UNFCCC in Nicaragua 1 1 1GEF/UNDP/UNEP – National Communications Support Programme (NCSP)

Japan (Asia-Pacific Network on Climate Change (AP-net))GEF – Climate Change Enabling Activities Expedited Projects (phase II)UK – Climate Impacts Research

GEF/UNEP - Assessments of Impacts and Adaptation to Climate Change in Multiple Regions and Sectors (AIACC)Greece – Capacity-Building to Deal with the Climate Change ProblemGEF/UNDP - Capacity Building for Improving National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (West Africa)

UNDP - National Communications Support Unit (NCSU)

= project/programme is ongoing

USCSP

GTZ

GEF

UNFCCC Secretariat

IPCC NCSP/NCSU

UNEP

UNDP

World Bank

Party

Regional Cooperation

NCCSAP

Support for the preparation of initial national communications

Other bilateral support

Activities of the UNFCCC secretariat –Non-Annex I Implementation Programme

Activities as a result of SBI conclusions/COP decisions:

• Support for national communications: Some Parties will start the preparation of their second national communications, while others will finalize their initial national communications

• Fifth compilation and synthesis report: The secretariat will finalize the fifth compilation and synthesis report, which will include information from 99 national communications, byCOP 9

• Report of the workshop on the use of the guidelines: The secretariat will present the report of the Workshop on the use of the guidelines for the preparation of national communications from non-Annex I Parties at SBI 18 (where conclusions will be drawn on how to implement the recommendations taken after the deliberation)

• Special climate change fund: Negotiations on the guidance to the GEF on the SCCF will be held at SBI 18 with a view to adopting a decision at COP 9

• Frequency of submission of national communications: A decision at COP 9 should be taken on the frequency of submission of subsequent national communications

• Work of the CGE: The CGE will start preparing its workplan and the secretariat will continue supporting the work of the CGE, in particular the organization of the hands-on training and other workshops

• Financial and technical support for national communications: Continue working with the non-Annex I Parties in facilitating the provision of financial and technical support for the preparation of their national communications and the implementation of the Convention

Activities of the UNFCCC secretariat –Non-Annex I Implementation Programme

Other activities (existing or proposed) in support ofnon-Annex I Parties:

•Relaunch of CC:Forum: The secretariat will relaunch the CC:Forum at SBI 18 as a forum to exchange views for collaboration among Parties (south-south cooperation) and for bilateral and multilateral organizations to inform on their efforts in supporting the preparation of second national communications•Proposed knowledge management system: An information tool (knowledge management system) to assist Parties in the preparation of national communications to be developed (the secretariat is seeking resources to establish a system, via the web site, where information will be provided on support programmes)•Collaboration with other support activities: Continue the collaboration with programmes such as the NCSU and the AIACC•NAI update and newsletter: The secretariat has recently launched two outreach activities (NAI updated and newsletter) intended to inform national focal points, national climate change coordinators on activities of the secretariat and others in support of the national communication process