Issue #1 ENB on the side – UNFCCC COP-8 PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) in cooperation with UNFCCC Written by: Fiona Koza Charlotte Salpin Hugh Wilkins Managing Director: Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" Issue #1 Thursday, 24 October 2002 The WWW version of ENB on the side (with photos), can be found at http://enb.iisd.org/climate/cop8/enbots/ Events convened on Wednesday, 23 October 2002 Title: New national communications from non-Annex I Parties Presented by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Martha Perdomo, UNFCCC, highlighted that initial national communications have been received from 93 countries so far and said at least ten more are expected to be submitted by the end of the year. Ermira Fida, Albania, noted that Albania submitted its initial national communication in September 2002 and highlighted relatively low per capita emissions. She stated that forests are a source of emissions as a result of poor forest management and noted that hydroelectric power accounts for 94% of the country’s electricity. Fida emphasized climate change impacts in Albania, including increased temperatures, decreased precipitation, and a reduction of surface water flow and arable land. She underlined the importance of selecting qualified national experts and the need for awareness raising among policy makers. Jeanne Acacha Akoha, Benin, noted that biomass accounts for 68% of her country’s energy consumption. She highlighted the vulnerability of Benin’s agricultural and coastal areas to climate change and described adaptation projects that were identified in the national communication, including coastal protection and improved public transportation. She explained that problems in preparing the national communication included insufficient data, low levels of national expertise, and lack of a useful model for vulnerability and adaptation studies. She recommended: helping developing countries meet their commitments under the Convention; strengthening national capacities; and creating a database on climate change in least developed countries. Javier Blanco, Colombia, noted the increasing trend in Colombia’s emissions but underscored that they represented only 0.25% of global emissions in 1990. He stated that coastal ecosystems and more than half of Colombia’s population may be affected by permanent flooding as a result of climate change, and highlighted possible drastic changes to the hydrological regime of the Amazon basin. Drawing attention to Colombia’s vulnerability to malaria and dengue fever, he stressed the need for strengthening health services. Emily Ojoo-Massawa, Kenya, emphasized that Kenya is a net sink of carbon dioxide (CO2). She underscored the vulnerability of crops, livestock, and water and marine resources in Kenya, and said the most significant climate change impacts in Kenya may be extreme events. She noted the development of national radio programmes to increase public awareness of climate change. More information: http://unfccc.int/resource/natcom/ Contact: Martha Perdomo Ermira Fida Jeanne Acacha Akoha Emily Ojoo-Massawa Title: Information in support of development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies Presented by the UNFCCC Secretariat Jukka Uosukainen, Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT), stressed the World Summit on Sustainable Development’s emphasis on technology transfer, and noted that issues still to be addressed by the EGTT include information dissemination, outreach to appropriate users, and ensuring correct and user-friendly information. Iulian Vladu, UNFCCC, introduced the UNFCCC Technology Information System (TT:CLEAR), a web-based information system aimed at enhancing access to and flow of information on environmentally sound technologies. William Agyemang-Bonsu, EGTT, noted that topics covered by the EGTT’s Asian Workshop on Climate Technology Information and Needs Assessment held at Beijing in April 2002 included improvement of access to and design of a clearinghouse network, assessment of technology needs, and implementation of technology transfer. Suk-Hoon Woo, Korea, and Pradeep Dadhich, Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), presented the main outcomes of the Asian Workshop, highlighting recommendations on capacity building, business and financing sector participation, needs assessment programmes, and technology transfer implementation programmes. Agyemang-Bonsu on behalf of Moussa Cisse, Senegal, explained the goals of the upcoming African Workshop on Technology Information and Needs Assessment to be held in December 2002, including improved access to and use of technology information resources, and evaluation of the adequacy of existing clearinghouses. Mark Radka, UNEP, presented UNEP’s activities and experience on technology transfer information, highlighting the Sustainable Alternatives Network and networking under the Montreal Protocol. Eric Martinot, GEF, noted, inter alia, that almost all GEF funded projects have technology transfer information elements. More information: http://www.ttclear.unfccc.int http://www.uneptie.org/energy http://wwww.teriin.org http://www.gefweb.org Contact: Jukka Uosukainen Iulian Vladu William Agyemang-Bonsu Mark Radka Eric Martinot Pradeep Dadhich Title: Developing energy solutions for climate change: An African perspective Presented by the Energy Development and Research Centre (EDRC) Ogunlade Davidson, EDRC, highlighted the importance of energy development, stressing that a strong energy sector is the key to developing sufficient capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Davidson emphasized that Africa holds vast opportunities for energy development and that the first step in addressing climate change in Africa is to develop these opportunities. Moussa Cisse, ENDA-TM, spoke on policies, measures and outcomes regarding the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Senegal. He noted that through incentives and subsidies encouraging the equitable distribution, local engagement, and the promotion of LPG equipment, LPG-use has proliferated and pressure on wood resources and environmental degradation have been reduced. Randall Spalding-Fecher, EDRC, explained that low per capita emissions, minimal foreign direct investment and overseas development assistance, and poor electricity infrastructures will reduce opportunities for CDM projects in Africa. He suggested that the ‘bundling’ of CDM projects may be the most viable option available and recommended the use of ‘sectoral CDM’ projects that focus on sectors within a country as opposed to specific projects, and sustainable development policies and measures that aim to achieve development goals with ancillary climate benefits. Davidson then concluded the session by focusing on activities to convert gas flaring to energy. He stated that 71% of gas produced in Africa is flared as waste and he called for regional approaches, new financial mechanisms, opportunities through the UNFCCC, and incentives to employ technology to turn this waste into energy. More information: http://www.edrc.uct.ac.za http://www.enda.sn Contact: Ogunlade Davidson Moussa Cisse Randall Spalding-Fecher The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) on the side is a special publication of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. This issue has been written by Fiona Koza , Charlotte Salpin , and Hugh Wilkins . The Digital Editors are David Fernau , Leila Mead , and Diego Noguera . Funding for publication of ENB on the side at UNFCCC COP-8 is provided by the UNFCCC Secretariat. The opinions expressed in ENB on the side are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and funders. 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