RegionalDialogueon

(Intended)NationallyDeterminedContributionsforPacificIslands

MEETINGREPORT

6-7December2016

Nadi,Fiji

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OverviewTheRegionalDialogueon(Intended)NationallyDeterminedContributions,or(I)NDCs,forPacificIslandswas co-organized by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Framework Convention onClimate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, and the UNDP/UNEP Global Support Programme for NationalCommunicationsandBiennialUpdateReports,fundedbytheGlobalEnvironmentFacility(GEF).Itwasdesigned for countries to discuss next steps in preparing forNDC implementation, exchange nationalexperienceswithpeercountriesforthePacificregion,anddiscusskeytechnicalandinstitutionalissuesrelatedtoNDCimplementation.The12thinaseriesofregionaleventson(I)NDCshostedbyUNDPandthe UNFCCC Secretariat, the Fiji dialogue demonstrated significant progress in participant countriessincetheseriesbeganin2014.Forexample,atthetimeofthedialogue14PacificIslandcountrieshadalready submitted NDCs in the context of the Paris Agreement and many were making progress inmovingtowardNDCimplementation.Thedialogue tookplaceamonthafter theParisAgreemententered into forceearlier thanexpected,andlessthanthreeweeksafterCOP-22inMarrakech,Morocco.HostedbytheGovernmentofFijiandfundedbyanumberofdonors,1itconvenedover40participants,includinggovernmentrepresentativesfrom14PacificIslandcountries,aswellasinternationalorganizationsandexpertsinvolvedinthe(I)NDCprocess.Participantsrepresentedavarietyofministries,includingenvironment,planning,finance,andsectoral lineministries, aswell asother institutions– reflectiveof the cross-cuttingnatureof (I)NDCsandtheneedtoinvolvearangeofstakeholdersinNDCs.Thisdiversityofparticipationcontributedtotherichnessofdialoguediscussions.The dialogue was launched with welcoming remarks from Ms. Makereta Konrote, the PermanentSecretary for theMinistry of Economy of the Fijian government. Fiji emphasized its commitment totacklingclimatechangeandthatthedevastationoftropicalcycloneWinston inFebruarythisyear isasober reminderof theeffectsof climate change.Ms.Konrote recognized thatPacific IslandCountries(PICs)havedifferentlevelsofrisksandvulnerabilitiesandthatmajorityofINDCssubmittedin2015arefocusedonGHGemissionreductiontargets.Fiji’sINDCtargetistogenerate100%ofitselectricityfromrenewable energy sources by 2030 and to progress this from the current level at 60% requiresconsiderableinvestmentandengagementofindependentpowerproducers.Ms.KonroteacknowledgedthatthechallengeforPICsistograduallyintegrateothersectors(otherthantheenergysector)duringthereviewofNDCs.Shealsoacknowledgedthatthesupport,collaborationandeffectivecoordinationbydonors,developmentpartnersandotherrelevantagencieswouldenablesuccessfulimplementationofNDCs.Ms.OsnatLubrani,theResidentRepresentativeofUNDPPacificOffice inFijiemphasizedthefactthatclimatechangeissignificantlythreateningthesurvivaloflivelihoods,andthatthedevastatingeffectonthe economic and social progress are already being witnessed in many countries of the regionthreatening to reversedevelopment achievements and improvements inqualityof life. Someeffectsinclude the loss of habitable land due to sea-level rise and coastal inundation; loss of agriculturalproductivityduetosalt-waterintrusionand/orseveredroughtsandheavyrainfall; lossofmarinefoodresourcesdue tooceanacidification; infrastructuraldamagesdue to flooding; lossofhumanresourceproductivity due to increase in occurrences of vector-borne diseases, and others. As a development

1ThedialogueisorganizedwithgenerousfundingfromAustralia,Austria,Belgium,theEuropeanCommission,France,Germany,Japan,Norway,theUnitedKingdom,theUnitedStates,andtheGlobalSupportProgramme(GSP)forthePreparationofNationalCommunicationsandBiennialUpdateReportsfundedbytheGlobalEnvironmentFacility.

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organization, tackling climate change is at the heart of UNDP’s efforts to help countries achieve theSustainableDevelopmentGoalsandinturnreduceinequalitiesandreducepoverty.Mr.Jigme,TeamLeaderoftheUNFCCCSecretariat,emphasizedthatthe(I)NDCdialogueishappeningatacriticaltimeandthattheconditions inpreviousdialoguesweredifferentastheyhappenedintheleaduptoCOP-21.Heconsideredthisdialogueunique,asitishappeningatatimewherethePartiesaretransitioningfromINDCstoNDCs.Mr.JigmeacknowledgedthatoverwhelmingpoliticalsupportatthegloballevelhasenabledtheParisAgreementtoenterintoforcewithinashortspanoftime.NowthatthestageissetforimplementingtheParisAgreement,itisimportanttocreateanenablingenvironmentandthat(I)NDCdialogueprovestobeafruitfultoolintheCOPprocesses.Mr. Mwakasonda from theUNEP/UNDP Global Support Programme (GSP) highlighted that the GSPjointprogrammebetweenUNEPandUNDPassistsdevelopingcountrieswiththeirreportingtoUNFCCC.ReportsthathavebeenreceivedfromdifferentcountrieshavebeenreviewedandtheneedforarobustNDC is evident. TheGSPworks in close collaborationwith other entities to support capacity building(e.g. for GHGs – encouraging countries to use 2006 guidelines) and supports countries to improvequalityofreportingtotheUNFCCCandalsotranslatethereportsintopracticalon-the-groundactions.Mr. Jesus Lavinia, Team Leader of the Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific IslandshighlightedwaysthattheEUisengagedin(I)NDCsandhowtoimproveengagement.Mr.Laviniastatedthatwhile the Paris Agreementwas amilestone achievement, the ratification processwas incrediblyrapidparticularlyfortheEU.WhilecommitmenttoimplementtheNDCsexistsatalllevels,moreactionsarerequiredonthegroundineachcountryandonthisnotecongratulatedFiji’schairmanshipelectforCOP-23in2017.Mr.LaviniaconveyedthattheEUispleasedtoworkincollaborationwithUNandotherdevelopment partners and that the EU is a main donor for the Paris Agreement implementation(worldwide)withEnergyandClimateChangePolicybeingthemainfocus.TheEUseestheprivatesectoras one of driving sector to low carbon emissions. At the community-level, the EU acknowledges theneed to build resilience on-the-ground. Mr. Lavinia encouraged participants to make full use of‘dialogue’sothatthecommitmentsaretranslatedintopracticalactions.KeyMessagesAmongthekeymessagescomingoutoftheFijidialoguewerethefollowing:

• Theeffectsofclimatechange,itshumanitarianaspectsandtheneedtostrengthenassistanceinin the context of sustainable development need to be taken into consideration for NDCimplementation. Given the closed linkages between the national development priorities,including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the actions identified in the NDC,countriesaremakingeffortstoensurethenecessarysynergiesamongawiderangeofrelevantinitiatives.

• While adaptation to climate change is the highest priority in the Pacific Region, countriesconsidermitigationasakeyelementoftheirNDCaswell,notonlytocontributetotheglobalefforts to reduce GHG emissions but also as an opportunity to strengthen the climate anddevelopmentlinkage.

• An “incremental” approachmay be needed for NDC implementation, adopting a learning-by-doingapproachtostrategicallyfillgaps,ascountriesmakeprogressindefiningtheirstrategiesand refining their actions. All countries are in this together – important to learn from oneanother.

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• NDCimplementationwillrequirecreativeandambitiousapproaches.Newactorswillneedtobeinvolved–institutionalarrangementswillneedtobeenhancedandstrengthened.

• NDC-related actions should be engrained in countries’ long-term visions in order to avoidisolatedactionsthatarenotpartofthenationalorsectoralplanningprocesses.

• Tracking progress is essential both domestically and internationally,whichwill require stronggovernmentbuy-inandadequateresources

• Financial and capacity-related supportmust bemade available to keep themomentum builtafter the Paris Agreement and to start the implementation of the NDCs. This includes bothnationalandinternationalsupport,nationalgovernmentcommitments,andclearunderstandingofthechallengesandopportunitiestheNDCswillbringatcountryandgloballevels.

TheClimateNegotiations&Submitted(I)NDCsfromthePacificDuringthefirstmorningofthedialogue,theUNFCCCSecretariatprovidedanoverviewof(I)NDC-relatedprovisions of the Paris Agreement, relevant outcomes of COP-22 in Marrakech, and implications fornational implementationofNDCs. UNDPpresentedanoverviewof submitted INDCsand initialNDCsfromthePacificregion,inordertoprovidecontextfordialoguediscussions.TheUNFCCCSecretariatremindedparticipantsthattheParisAgreement’sobjectiveistostrengthentheglobal response to the threat of climate change and that the ratification of the Paris Agreement andsubmissionofNDCsarenotthefinalstepoftheprocess.AlthoughthemajorityofthePacificINDCsareemissions-centric,thereisroomtoincludeadaptationaspects.Afacilitativedialogueisplannedfor2018totakestockofNDC implementationprogress.So far,163 INDCshavebeensubmittedby191partiesand 111 parties have submitted their first NDCs. Key targets from (I)NDCs are expected to deliversizeableemission reductions. SinceCOP-22 inMarrakech, theNDC registryhasbeenestablished, thefeaturesofNDCshavebeenclarified,andtheunderstandingoftransparencyandtheoverallNDCshasoverall improved. There is a strongwin-win for commitment to implement the NDCs. Countries areworking diligently to develop NDC implementation plans, establish institutional structures, anddeterminehowbesttoturnNDCtargetsintorealitywithconcreteactivities.UNDP’spresentationnotedthatall14PacificIslandcountrieshavesubmittedtheirNDCs.TheseNDCsare informedbynationalprioritiesandcircumstances inthecontextofsustainabledevelopment. Themitigationcomponents in the INDCs includeeconomy-wideandsectoral targets,aswellas strategies,plans,andactionsforlow-emissiondevelopment.Reflectingthefactthatadaptationisapriorityfortheregion,allNDCsfromPICsalsoincludeanadaptationcomponent,whichwasoptionalforParties.Thiscomponent highlights the climate impacts that PICs are already experiencing, actions that can beimplementedinthecontextofNationalAdaptationPlans(NAPs),andinformationonneedsandmeansofimplementation.A number or these NDCs have a sectoral focus, addressing some of the major sources of emissionreduction sectors (mainly on energy – power generation). However, the quantified targets are notnecessarilynew,especiallywhenenergyplanningandtargetshavealreadybeenestablishedaspartofthecountrysectoralplanningprocesses(e.g.EnergyRoadMaps,Policies,NAMAs,etc.).Anumberofkeypointsemergedduringthediscussion,including:

• TheCookIslandsandNauruweretheonlytwocountriesthatincludedlossanddamageintheirNDCs.

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• Withregardstohavingconditionalvs.unconditionalmitigationcomponents,MarshallIslandsis

theonlyPICwhichstatedthattheircommitmentsarenotconditional.

• PartieshavetheflexibilityforanautomaticconversionfromINDCstoNDCsoncetheyratifytheParisAgreement. InresponsetoqueriesfromNiue,theUNFCCCSecretariatclarifiedthataftersubmitting INDCs, the next step is to ratify the Paris Agreement. The ratification gives legalbearing for countries to convert their intentions (INDCs) into NDCs. Countries need tocommunicatethistotheUNFCCCSecretariat.

• The delegate from the Solomon Islands commented on the various reporting obligations that

exist, such as the National Communications (NCs), Biennial Update Reports (BURs), and nowNDCs. Inviewofthis, thedelegateenquired ifspecialconsiderationsaregivenforSIDSnotingcapacity constraints. The UNFCCC Secretariat assured that while NCs and BURs are reportingobligationsofallPartiesunderUNFCCC,SIDSandLDCshaveflexibilityintermsofdiscretiononreporting timelines. Last yearunder theParisAgreement, the transparency framework allowsforflexibilityonthefrequencyandtimelyofsubmission.TotheenquiryonongoingNDCsandreporting features (such as accounting), the UNFCCC Secretariat cautioned that it is quitepremature toprovideaconcrete responsedue todynamicsofnegotiationsand thatdifferentgroupsofPartiestreatthesenegotiationsdifferently.Ontheaccountingaspects,thesituationisslightlydifferentasNDCsarefairlynewandPartiesarelearningbydoing.

• ThedelegatesfromSamoaenquirediftheUNFCCCSecretariatcouldelaborateontheprocessof

including items such as ‘loss anddamage’ in futureNDCs. TheUNFCCC Secretariatwill clarifywithhiscolleaguesbeforeprovidingaconcreteresponse.

• TheUNEP/UNDPGSPisrunningaspecialprogrammetoassistLDCsonNDCprocessesandthat

LDCsinthePacificcanalsoaccessassistancefromthissupportprogramme.

• The UNFCCC Secretariat clarified that they upload the same INDC document into the NDCRegistry once they ratify the Paris Agreement (this is the automatic conversion from INDC toNDC).OntheneedtostandardizeNDCs,UNDPadvisedthatthisisalearningprocessandNDCsmaybecomemorestandardizedinthefuturedependingonthenegotiations.

PlanningforNDCImplementationThissessionintroducedaninitialframeworkforplanningforNDCimplementationatthenationallevel,drawingonNDC implementationguidancebeingdevelopedbyUNDP, theUNFCCCSecretariat,UNEP-DTU, andWorldResources Institute. Countries also shared their national experiences inplanning forNDCimplementation.UNDPpresentedsomekeylessons:

• The need to integrate climate change and sustainable development processes (including theSDGs).

• Adoptawhole-of-governmentapproachandengagekeystakeholders(e.g.,involvingtheprivatesector,tradeunions,etc.).

• Donotre-inventthewheel,butratherbuildonpastexperienceswithNAMAs,LEDS,MRV,etc.• Considerfundingearlyandcomprehensively(e.g.,public,private,andinternationalsources).

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Itwashighlightedthatan“e-discussion”wasunderwayandopentoallcountriesandexpertsthatmaywishtoparticipate(www.unteamworks.org/NDCimplementation).Despitesomechallenges,countriesintheregionarealreadymakingprogressintranslatingtheirNDCsintoconcreteactions,defininginstitutionalarrangementsthatwillberequiredtoimplementtheNDCs,andassessingfinancialsupportneeds. TwocountriespresentedtheirnationalexperiencesinplanningforNDCimplementation.FijimentionedthatalthoughnotmuchprogresshasbeenmadesinceratificationoftheParisAgreement(Fiji is the first country to do so), the Government is currently looking at the next steps to startimplementingitsNDC.Fiji’sNDChasbothmitigationandadaptationcomponents.TheEnergySectoristhe focus of the mitigation component as it already has supporting frameworks in place (mainly onrenewable energy and energy efficiency). Fiji’s NDC is conditional on support. Fiji needs support inunderstandinghowtoproceedwithNDCimplementation;buildingcapacityon-the-groundtobeabletoreviewtheirNDC;whatfundsareavailabletosupportimplementation;andtechnicalassistance.

Samoa’sINDCtargetistogenerate100%renewableelectricityby2017throughto2027.Aconsultantisonboard tohelpdevelop theNDC ImplementationStrategy.ARenewableEnergyRegistryplatform isalso in place thatwill enable a global carbonmarket. Samoa’s NDC is conditional upon internationalfunding.Mainissuesandchallengesincludefragmentationofinstitutionswithintheenergysector(e.g.EPCtheutilityisonestakeholder,whileMNREisthegovernmentagencyresponsibleformonitoringandreporting), no electricity storage (such as batteries, water storage, etc.), and land issues (this affectsinvolvementofindependentpowerproducers,orIPPs).The NDC Partnership (presented by the representative of Australia) is a new global initiative to helpcountriesachieve theirnational climate commitmentsandensure financial and technical assistance isdelivered as efficiently as possible. Australia highlighted that it will contribute AU$2m to the NDCPartnership. Key elements of the partnership are: (i) designed to avoid an unorganized sweep ofactivitiesatthecountryandgloballevels;(ii)supportisprovidedinacountry-drivenandrequestedway;and (iii) knowledge products to exchange experiences andn lessons learned. For more information:http://www.ndcpartnership.org/.

Anumberofcriticalissueswereidentifiedduringthediscussion,including:

• The response to the delegate from the Cook Islands on Government’s a role in ensuring theinvolvement of private sector is that theNDC implementation involves awide rangeof areasand different actors such as trade unions, specific companies, pension funds, investmentbankers,etc.Assomeoftheseactorsmaynotexistinsmallercountries,thefocuscouldbeontheuseraspectsuchasenergyusers,etc.Sincetourism isahighprioritysector in thePacific,there isneed toworkwithhoteliersand the tourism industryandengage them in renewableenergy(RE)andenergyefficiencyapplications.Onthe investmentside,countriesmayneedtothinkabouttheroleofdevelopmentbankstostep-inandunlockprivateinvestments.

• ThedelegatefromSamoainformedthattheelectricityutilityinSamoawillbeabletoreachtheirtarget from using solar demonstration projects. However, the main issues relate to lack offacilitiestostorepower.Participantsnotedthatinsomeadvanced/developedcountriessuchasDenmarkandNorway,accesspowerfromREsourcesissharedbetweencountries.Thismaynot

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befeasibleforthePacificsub-regionduetoextremelyhighcostsinvolvedintransportingaccesspowerbetweenPacificIslandCountries.

• To respond to the enquiry from the Solomon Island delegate, Samoa clarified that the NDC

Implementation Plan takes into consideration existing international sources of funding fromGEF,GCFetc.andwillalsoconsiderpublicfinanceintheImplementationPlan.

• NiuesoughtmoredetailsabouttheNDCPartnership,includinghowmuchoftheAU$2mwould

be allocated to supporting institutional arrangements particularly in countrieswhere there isfragmentation (e.g. in Samoa’s case); and how can countries sign-up to the Partnership. Thedelegate from theAustralianGovernment clarified thatdiscussionsare still ongoing todecidehowfundswillbeallocated.Intermsofinstitutionalarrangements,thePartnershipisacountry-driven model so support is provided based on country requests. The technical support andfundingisdesignedtobringcoherencetopotentiallyfragmentedworkforNDCimplementationineachcountry.TheNDCPartnershipwebsiteprovidesguidanceonhowtosign-up;theWorldResources Institute (WRI) is the NDC Partnership Support Unit and can provide additionalguidance(countriesmaycontactinfo@ndcpartnership.orgforadditionalinformation).

• InresponsetothequestionfromUNDP/UNEPGSPonthetransitiontorenewableenergyinthe

power sector, Fiji clarified that the current generationmix is 60% fromhydro, 1% fromwind,and5%fromco-generation.Fijihasa100%renewableenergytargetintheINDCthatisalignedtoitsdraftrevisedNationalEnergyPolicy(2013-2020).Fijihasimmenseresourcesforrenewableenergy in particular hydro. A biomass plant is being constructed (GIMCO in partnership withTropikWoods).With support from donors and development partners, the FijianGovernmenthas invested substantial resources to implement its rural electrification programme thatincludestheapplicationofsolarhomesystemsinruralcommunitiesinFiji.Geothermalhasbeenconsideredbuthasaveryhighriskapartfrombeingtooexpensivetoputin-place.

• ThedelegatefromTongacommendedtheeffortsbyFijiandSamoaandstatedthatTongacan

onlyachievehalfoftheirtargetsofgeneratingelectricityfromrenewableenergysources.TongaindicatedaninteresttolearnmorefromthesuccessofFijiandSamoa.

• UNDP stated that Fiji andotherbigger volcanic countries havemore resources for renewable

energy than smaller atoll island countries such as the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati etc.Therefore, making financing available to implement NDCs is key to moving forward. As inSamoa’s case, institutional fragmentation is something that needs to be addressed internallywiththesupportofdevelopmentpartners.

StrengtheningInstitutionalArrangements&EngagementforNDCImplementationSuccessfulNDCimplementationandmonitoringofprogress,aswellaspreparationoffutureNDCs,willrequire robust institutional arrangements. This includes improving coordination between relevantministries and strengthening the capacity of institutions involved in NDC implementation. NDCimplementation will also require concerted efforts to fully engage stakeholders (including localgovernmentsandtheprivatesector)and improvenationalawarenessofclimatechangegoals. Inthissession, four countries participated in a panel discussion and shared their perspectives on how toaddressthesechallenges.Thefollowingareamongthekeypointsraisedduringthepanel:

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• PapuaNewGuineaisemployingexistinginstitutionalarrangementsforitsNDCimplementation.The national policies, Vision 2050, Strategic plan, climate change management plan andTechnicalWorkingGroupsprovideguidanceandtechnical inputtoclimatechangeactivities inthe country, including NDC preparation. Establishing effective policy and legal frameworkNational Communication process, GHG inventories, provisions for monitoring, reporting,sectoral adaptation/mitigation plans are seen as good basis to support IND implementation.Regardingfundingconstraints,theGCFisseenasavehicleforfundingNDCimplementation.

• Tonga emphasized the importance of having high-level support to enable the timelyendorsementbyCabinet,andtheestablishmentofformalministerial/cabinetarrangementwithclear roles and responsibilities, and focal point in each ministry to enhance cooperation.Challenges encountered include limited staff with high turnover, conflicting mandates andpriorities; lack of local capacities to conduct consultancy work, lack of political stability toadvocateforclimatechangeworkandlimitedfunding.

• Vanuatuhasbuiltarobustinstitutionalstructurethathasenabledcooperationamongkeyline

ministries. The challenge lies in maintaining this institutional structure and enhancing it tominimize expenditure of resources and maximize effectiveness. Vanuatu’s National Advisoryboard that oversees climate change anddisaster riskmanagementmatters is currently facingchallengessuchas lackofgovernanceandknowledge, lackofclarityamongstakeholders,andlack of technical support and human resources for strengthening capacities, enhancingawareness,anddevelopingintergovernmentalcoordinationandinternationalcooperation.

• Australia noted that creating task force to bring in awide range of experts is often used for

importantdecisionsand the sameapproachwasused for thedevelopmentof country’sNDC.Engaging other ministries, coordination among states and territories is a challenge. Securingcommunication and collaboration at all levels, mainstreaming climate change into decisionmakingthroughregularroundtables,statecommittees,cross-ministriesforums,participationofsub-regional/non-stateactorsandenhancingawarenessareallcriticalintheprocess.

Thefollowingkeypointsemergedduringtheplenarydiscussionfollowingthepanel:

• InstitutionalarrangementswillplayakeyroleinNDCimplementationbyhelpingtodeterminewho does what and how, ensuring synergy with national strategies so that mitigation andadaptation measures can contribute to national development plans, and putting in placeprocesses for future roundsofNDCs.Somecountrieshavedecided to strengthen Institutionalarrangementsthroughclimatechangeacts/laws.Forexample,Samoahasclimatechangepolicyinplace,andislookingintohavingaClimateChangeAct.

• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders are needed to enhance theefficiency of NDC implementation. In addition to government, targeted stakeholders to beincludedinNDCinstitutionalarrangementsare,amongothers,representativesfromacademia,civil society, and the private sector (notably, industry leaders and associations). Within thegovernment, agencies that shouldbe involvedwithNDC implementationplanning include theMinistries of Finance, Planning, Environment, and lineministries that are responsible for highemittingsectors.

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• Raisingnationalawarenessonclimatechangeisrecommended.CountriesmayusesomeoftheNC/BURorotherrelevantinitiativesorprojectstopreparemediacampaigns,videos,bookletsortrainings. A number of awareness-raising activities is on-going, e.g. Samoa is celebrating aNationalEnergydaywithatriathlonracetoraisepublicawareness.Citizensaregenerallyawareofclimatechangeanditsimpactsbutthereisalackofunderstandingofwhatisbehindclimatechangeandwhyclimatechangeishappening.

• Australia noted that it has well established NGOs, academic institutions, and open forumsdealing with climate change issues, which all contribute to enhancing understanding andawareness.SolomonIslandssuggestedmainstreamingclimatechangeintotheeducationsystemandschoolprogrammes.Mostparticipantsfeltthatthecompilationof(I)NDCswasrushedandthatnotenoughtimewasgiventoraisingawareness.Somecountrieshaveexpressedfatigueofawarenesscampaignsandworkshopswithouttangibleresults.

• Institutional Arrangements and awareness-raising are one of the first steps in implementing

NDCs.Thereisnoone-size-fits-allapproachforbothinstitutionalarrangementsandawareness.Theexpectationsmust bemanagedproperly so actions areundertakenwith support fromallstakeholders. The recommendation is to start the implementation of NDCs with existingstructuresandtobuilduponthisasimplementationprogresses.

Translating(I)NDCGoalsintoActionNDCsarecountries’corecommitmentsto implementdomesticeffortstoachievetheParisAgreementobjectives and they are reflective of national climate and development priorities. But achieving theadaptationandmitigationgoalslaidoutincountries’(I)NDCsrequirestranslatingthesecomponentsintoconcrete policies, programs, and projects. This session discussed the development of adaptationinterventionsinthecontextofNDCimplementation,NationalAdaptationPlans(NAPs),andmonitoringand evaluation challenges. It also addressed the role of nationally appropriate mitigation actions(NAMAs) in achievingmitigation goals, aswell as linkageswith low-emission development strategies.The session focusedon the identificationandprioritizationofmeasures; technical analyses related toadaptation and mitigation options; and potential links betweenmitigation and adaptation in certainsectors.TheUNDP/UNEPGSPpresentedon“DevelopingConcreteAdaptationandMitigationActionstoAchieve(I)NDC Goals”. Key issues of consideration include: a conducive policy environment, alignment ofadaptation and mitigation actions with the national development goals, understanding the mosteffectivedrivers of implementation, having theprivate sector onboard, optimumuseof domestic orinternational resources and economy-wide actions. To start with, countries should also considerwhetherthereisaneedtorevisetheirNDC,withwhattechnicalsupportandhowwillthenationalandsectoralmitigationandadaptationgoalsbeachieved(enablingframeworks,policies,programs,projects,institutions,regulations,measures,incentives,etc.)Two country representatives also shared their national experiences in translating (I)NDC goals intoaction:

• Nauru’s NDC hinges on National sustainable development strategies, Energy Road Map,National Communication, and country’s adaptation and disaster riskmanagement framework(RONAdapt).AspartoftheNDCroadmapdevelopmentactivities,Naurucarriedouttheinitial

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stock-taking exercise to identify data gaps, uncertainty and risks that may exist in the NDC;assessment of institutional capacities and led stakeholder consultations to identify gaps andneeds for both mitigation and adaptation sectors. Moving forward, it intends to develop aframework for NDC implementation, carry out a cost benefit analysis of mitigation andadaptationactivitiesandpursuetechnicalandfinancialsupport.KeychallengesinmovingfromNDC goals to actions are lack of financial resources, human, technical and institutionalcapacities.Accessingdedicatedclimatefundscanbechallengingforasmallcountry,giventhehigh transaction costs involved, lack of capacity and expertise in this area. Nauru intends toplaceconsiderableemphasisonworkingwithitsbilateralpartnersandregionalagenciesforthefinancial and technical resources needed to implement its NDC road map. Successfulimplementation will be ensured through high-level political buy-in and leadership andintegrationofNDCimplementationintoexistingeconomicplansanddevelopmentprocesses.

• Kiribati isusingamulti-sectoralapproachand,since2013,anationalexpertgrouphasbeenin

operationtocoordinateandmonitorallmitigation,adaptationanddisasterriskactionsatseniortechnicallevel.EventhoughadaptationisthepriorityofKiribati,mitigationisnotneglectedasitprovidesrenewableenergy for the futureand isseenasanopportunity forenergysecurity toenhance adaptation strategies. The challenges for implementation are related to financial,technical and institutional strengthening. As with other PICs, Kiribati has many plans,frameworksandstrategiesinplacebutwithnoorinsufficientfundingsupportthecountrywillnotbeabletoimplementsuchplans.

Indiscussion,participantsraisedthefollowingpoints:

• Despite the fact that adaptation was an optional component of (I)NDCs, most countries didincludeitintheir(I)NDCs.Countriesintheregionarevulnerabletonaturaldisastersandhavetoadaptandareof theview thatmitigationmeasuresareeconomicallydriven.Emissions in theregionareveryinsignificant,however,thereisnomuchdifferentiationbetweenmitigationandadaptationandit’sacknowledgedtheyhavetogohandinhand–“mitadapt”.

• Whenpreparing(I)NDCs,countriesintheregionhavebeenusingexistingplanningframeworksandpoliciesandthereforenonewinformationhasbeenincludedinthe(I)NDCs.NDCgoalsandtargetsaretoberealisticandcountriesneedtobespecificaboutconditionalandunconditionaltargets.NDCscanbeusedtomeasure,reportandverifyprogress in implementingtheclimateactions and therefore a functioning monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systembecomesverycriticalintheprocess.

• OneadvantageoftheNDCprocess intheregionisthatcountries inaresmall, focusingon1-2

sectors. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are amongst the top priorities. Energyconservation is a veryhighambitious initiativeanddependson the investments. Financingaswell as technology represent challenges for countries. Commitment from the government toinvest in the required technologies and international support alongside national efforts areneeded.

Monitoring&TransparencyofNDCProgressEffective monitoring systems will be central to tracking progress toward countries’ goals, as well asreporting on NDC progress as part of the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework.

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Countriesintendtobuildonexistingnationalmonitoringsystemswherepossibleandseekoutefficientmechanismsforlinkingtoexistingreportingefforts,suchasthosefortheNationalCommunicationsandBiennialUpdateReports.Inthissession,theUNDP/UNEPGSPprovidedperspectivesonhowtomonitorprogress towardNDCgoalsandensure transparency in thecontextofexistingefforts. Countriesalsopresented their plans for establishing/strengthening monitoring systems in the context of NDCs,opportunitiesforlinkingwithothermechanisms,andcapacitydevelopmentneeds.TheUNDP/UNEP GSP presented on the Transparency Framework for action, which provides a clearunderstandingoftheaction,tracksprogresstowardsNDCandtakesstockofglobalprogress.Theuniqueaspects about the Transparency Agreement was also presented, along with the importance ofmonitoring systems, aspects of monitoring (emissions, mitigation, adaptation, and support) and thebuildingblocksoftransparency.Two country representatives shared experiences from their countries related to monitoring andtransparency:

• TuvaluunderscoredtheimportanceofusingexistingcoordinationandmonitoringmechanismsestablishedthroughtheNationalAdaptationPlans,andNationalCommunicationprocessesthatcouldsupporttheNDCs.ChallengesfacedinTuvaluincludethelackofornon-existenceofdatafrom previous years, no proper central data storage system to store information and toefficiently access data, lack of capacity on GHG inventories and reporting on nationalcommunications,andlackofhumanresourcesduetolowstaffnumberandstaffturn-over.

• The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) highlighted that the State Government hasautonomyofthecapitalstateofPohnpeiandtheresponsibilityformonitoringandreportingtothe UNFCCC. Supporting frameworks and enabling environment for NDC implementationinclude the FSM’s Energy Policy, Climate Change Policy, Climate Change Act, and variousprojects (such as Renewable Energy, and those funded by the GCF, AF, SCCF, and bilateralfunds). NDC implementationwill be coordinated through an existing structure and under theoversightoftheClimateChangeandSustainableDevelopmentCouncil.

Indiscussion,thefollowingkeypointsemerged:

• ANationalAdvisoryBoardshouldincludedepartmentheadsaswellasrepresentativesfromtheprivatesectorandNGOs.

• Country presentations clearly identified complexities each country faces in dealing withreportingrequirements.PICshaveamuchmorerobustSecondNationalCommunicationreportscomparedtotheInitialNationalCommunicationreports,whichdemonstratethatcapacitiesandinstitutional frameworks arebuilt incrementally (learningbydoing). Lookingat the challengesfaced(suchaslackofdata,staffturn-over),thereisneedfordedicatedstafftocoordinateday-to-dayrequirements.

• PICsencouragedmoving forwardwiththeBiennialUpdateReports tosupportmonitoringandreporting.ThiscouldserveasabasistolearnontrackingprogressofNDCimplementation.

• While data unavailability is common, data on energy indicators has been collated by the

Secretariat of thePacific Community (SPC) and therefore this support couldbeused to assist

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build capacities on collecting accurate information and data, and making their databasecompatiblewiththeneedstoimplementtheParisAgreement.

• Some countries face serious capacity gaps with technical knowledge. For example, Niue’s

meteorology services requires technical assistance to be able to accurately monitormeteorologydata,storeinformationanddisseminatesuchinformationforpublicuse.AsfortheNDC reporting, further support is required to help with understanding of the reportingrequirements.

• There are some countries that have very good experience in sharing data. For example, Fiji’s

meteorologydepartmenthasawell-structureddatabase.WhiletheFijiDepartmentofEnergyisreceiving support to develop a centralized energy database, it is facing challenges in sharingdata with the power utility (the Fiji Electricity Authority, FEA) and oil companies. Fiji’sexperience in the Water Sector is slightly different – different agencies have differentparameters of data needs. The water sector has just developed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding(MOU)withkeystakeholderstoenabledatacollection,sharingandreportingonsimilarConventions.

• TheSecretariatofthePacificRegionalEnvironmentProgramme(SPREP)iscurrentlyformulating

a regional GCF project to improve data sharing between key sectors (the Agriculture andFisheriessectors).

• ForlargercountriessuchasPapuaNewGuinea(PNG),compliancewithdatasharingisachieved

throughlawenforcement.ThePNGClimateChangeManagementAct legallymandatesprivatecompaniesandbusinessownerstoprovidedatatoGovernmentministriesonfuelconsumptionandproductionaswellasemissionsfromlanduseandforestry.

• AustraliahasadedicatedOfficethatoverseesthereportingresponsibilities,whichfacilitatesthe

coordinationamongmanydifferentagencies.Australiaisalsoprovidingsupporttocountriesinrelatedareas;forexample,itisassistingThailandtooperationalizeitsnationalGreenhouseGasInventory(GHGI)systems.

BreakoutSessions

• GroupA:InstitutionalArrangements&Engagement

Keysuccessfactorsidentified:Fiji’sClimateChangeDepartmentislocatedwithintheMinistryofEconomy,whichtakes leadinbudgetaryprocesses.OtherPICshavetheirswithintheOfficeofthePrimeMinister (PM),and/or theDepartmentofEnvironment.Housing theclimatechangedepartmentswithintheministriesofinfluenceensureseffectiveinfluentialvoiceatthenational,regionalandgloballevels.

• GroupB:Translating(I)NDCGoalsintoAction

GeneraladvicetoNDCleadinstitution:Setupanadvisorycommittee,decideoncompositionofcommittee (various from technical sectors with specific and clear roles/ToRs). Key steps intranslating NDC goal into action include: collecting updated information, carrying outstakeholder consultation, developing an implementation plan, identifying potential sources of

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funding, and conducting awareness raising, etc. Conditional targets can be tied withGovernmentplansandplanningprocessestoattractinternationalsupportwhilenon-conditionalplanscanbetiedwithnationalbudgetsandexisting/futureprojects.

• GroupC:Monitoring&Transparency

The INDCpresentedasanexamplewasagoodcasestudy todiscuss.The INDCwasbasedonbusiness-as-usual methodology, which needed to be based on historical data (it wasn’treferenced in the INDC). The INDC could focus on thewaste sectorwhile policies need to beimplemented.TheexampleillustratedthatPICsmayneedtoimprovetheirGHGinventoriestobetter report on NDCs. Monitoring systems for SIDS need to be built in a way to makemonitoring and reporting easy. The preparation of a national inventorymust be comparablewithothercountriesofsimilarcontextandneedtohavealevelplayingfield.

FundingStrategies&ResourceMobilizationforNDCImplementationNDCimplementationwillrequirethedevelopmentoffundingstrategiesthatcomprehensivelyconsideropportunities formobilizing resources from: 1) national budgets and planned investments, 2) privatesector investment, and 3) international sources (as needed for conditional NDC components). ThissessionprovidedparticipantswithanopportunitytoengageinacandidconversationaboutNDCfinanceandresourcemobilization,includingstrategiesforattractingsupportfromvarioussources.The Cook Islands explained that its INDC was drawn from supportive documents and processes.Regardingthefundingstrategy,oneexamplepresentedistheUS$3mfundingfromtheAdaptationFundsecuredthroughtheMinistryofFinance&EconomicDevelopmenttoupscalestrengtheningresilienceofislandcommunityproject.TheCookIslandsisnowworkingonGCFreadinesstohelppreparefordirectaccesstoGCF(GCFfasttrackaccreditation),withgovernmentfunding.Nationalbudgetarysystemsarelinked to all key planning frameworks. Other ministries also have an important role on NDCimplementation.Creatinganenablingenvironmentforprivatesectorinvestmentiskey,sincemitigationisattheheartoftheCooksIslands’NDC.Governmenthastoprovideenablingenvironmentsandensurethatlocalprivatebusinessesalsoplaya role.Challenges facedby theCook Islands include: competingpriorities, linkingrealneedstoclimatechange,accessingfinance,andtransportation.TheCookIslandsisthefirstcountryinthePacifictobeaccreditedtotheAdaptationFund(AF).Basedonthatsuccess,theCookIslandssharedtheneedtohavefinancialsystemsthatarestreamlined,simplifiedand expeditious. Although the accreditation process took three years, the experience has helpedstrengthen Government’s financial systems and coordination mechanisms. The Cook Islands hassuccessfully established a Disaster Recovery Fund,which now has over a US$1m fromGovernment’soperatingbudget.NDCsasaDriverforSustainableDevelopmentNDCs represent an opportunity to catalyze sustainable development at the national level, as well asachievementoftheglobalSustainableDevelopmentGoals,orSDGs(includingtransitioningtoresilient,zero-carbon economies). This link with sustainable development must be front and center in NDCimplementation planning. In this session, panelists provided their perspectives on the relationship

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betweenNDCsandnational sustainabledevelopment,basedontheirnationalexperiences. TheyalsoofferedsuggestionsformakingasconcreteaspossiblethelinkbetweennationalNDCimplementationplanningandglobalprogresstowardtheSDGs.

• Solomon Islands notedevery climate event like cyclonesdrives the economy fewyears back.Climatechangeisadevelopmentissue.ImplementationoftheNDCwillnotaffectSDG7and13only, butwill have spillovereffectsonother goals aswell. Inbothmitigationandadaptation,transformativeactionsareneeded.Keepingcontinuityinactivities,engagementofstakeholdersat all levels, identification of agencies, partners and donors; and aligning long term nationalstrategieswithSDGsisvital.

• Niuementioned that theNDC implementationwill help to speed up action on national goalsincluding protection of national resources. The NSD 2016-26 is aligned with the NDC plan.Adaptation is crucial, as is mitigation. Capacity building, awareness and education needs aregrowing in communities. The National Adaptation Plan launched detailed action plans forcommunities.

• MarshallIslandshighlightedthatsustainabledevelopmentandclimatechangearecross-cutting

issues,andwill affectall SDGs.Multi stakeholder involvementandcooperationwill alwaysberequired.Rolesandresponsibilitiesmustbedefinedclearlyfromthebeginning.Knowledgeandinformationmanagementiskeytomoveforwardalongwiththeneedtobeconsistentinefforts,buildlocalcapacities,set-uprobustmonitoringmechanismandinstitutionalarrangements.

• Palau mentioned that NDC, SDGs, and implementation of climate change policies will allow

countries to achieve their national aspirations. NDCs must be translated into the relevantactions in communities and their role increased; relevant projects and agencies identified;responsiblebodiesmobilized;andbetterpolicies implemented.Countriesshouldalsoconsideradequatecapacities in lineministries,agencies,externaltechnicalsupportandtimeneededtoaccessfunding.

During the discussion, participants highlighted the importance and linkages between adaptation andmitigationintheregion,aswellashowNDCimplementationcancatalyzetheoverallSDGprogress:

• Thereisnoneedtohaveasubstantiveamountofemissionsformitigationactions.Mitigationisto be considered not for current but also for future emissions. In the context of sustainabledevelopment, mitigation is very important for SIDS as it reduces economic vulnerability andincreases economic power by creating jobs among other economic, social and environmentalreasons (health, oil spills, etc.). For example, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu have diversified intoextractingbio-fuel fromcoconutasaformofrenewableenergysource.Marshall IslandshasaGCF project on low-carbon transport. Tuvalu’s energy program is financing a project with itsNational Development Bank, motivating people to use bicycles through subsidies instead ofpetrol-basedvehicles.

• TheSolomon Islandshas revised itsnationaldevelopmentstrategy toaccommodate theSDGsbut also other government commitments. Its monitoring and evaluation framework isaccommodatingtheSDGindicators.Nationaldevelopmentstrategiesareverybroadsotheycanaccommodateanyadditionalcommitmentsorstrategies. NDCsbuiltonexistingstrategiesareeasilyaccommodatedintoanationaldevelopmentstrategy.

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• There is strong commitment anddesire to take on ambitions, efforts and actions. Thewill to

demonstrate leadership is very encouraging. At the same time, limitation and constraints arerecognizedbutit’sthecommitmentthatisimportantonthewayforward.

ConclusionsInthefinalsession,theparticipantsagreedthatthefollowingobjectiveswereaccomplished:

• The two-dayworkshopwas able to take stock of submitted INDCs and initial NDCs from thePacific sub-region. A total of 14 INDCs have been submitted so far and areworking towardsimplementingtheNDCs;

• The two-dayworkshop provided a very useful forum for exchanging country experiences andperspectives on preparing (I)NDCs and planning for implementation, including envisionedchallengesandsupportneeds;and

• Theparticipantsdiscussednextstepsandkeytechnicaland institutional issuesrelatedtoNDC

implementationat thenational level,which includes strengthening institutional arrangementsformanagingtheNDCprocess;designing implementationplanstotranslatecontributions intoconcreteactions;developingsystemstomonitorprogresstoward(I)NDCgoals;andmobilizingresources.