Issue #7 ENB on the side – UNFCCC SB-18 PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) in cooperation with UNFCCC Written by: Fiona Koza Karen Alvarenga de Oliveira Hugh Wilkins Managing Director: Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" Issue #7 Thursday, 12 June 2003 The WWW version of ENB on the side (with photos), can be found at http://enb.iisd.org/climate/sb18/enbots/ Events convened on Wednesday, 11 June 2003 Title: International climate symbol Presented by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sible Schöne, WWF Netherlands, highlighted that WWF, Greenpeace, UNEP and the Netherlands' Ministry of Environment have developed an international climate change symbol to create a mutually reinforcing common thread for communications on climate change. Noting that non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments and commercial enterprises communicate diverse aspects of climate change problems and solutions, Eva van der Weiden, WWF Netherlands, said the public is often confused by the variety of messages it receives. The result, she explained, is that climate change receives insufficient media attention and there is a lack of public awareness and emotion about the issue. She stressed that if the public does not understand the sense of urgency surrounding climate change, behavior will never change. She emphasized the need to place climate change and energy issues at the top of political agendas, increase consumer action and awareness on climate change, and instill climate change and energy issues in the "hearts" of the public. Van der Weiden explained that the supporting organizations wanted to develop a symbol that would provide a common thread to reinforce climate change communications, likening it to the well- identifiable peace and AIDS symbols. She outlined the process for developing and selecting the symbol, explaining that a branding agency helped to design a suitable symbol that would create a sense of urgency, yet still provide a message of hope. Outlining the results of a research study on the public's reaction to the symbol, she concluded that the chosen symbol is readily identifiable with climate change, is appealing, and communicates that something needs to be done. She invited all NGOs, governments and local authorities to use the symbol in their communications on climate change, provided that the principal message of the communication is "we can and should curb climate change." She underlined that the symbol may be used freely by all non- commercial organizations worldwide and is available on the Internet. Steven Guilbeault, Greenpeace Canada, emphasized the power of symbols to communicate problems and solutions, noting that "a picture is worth 1000 words." Edwin Koekkoek, Netherlands' Ministry of Environment, stressed that increasing public awareness on climate change issues will be an important component of the climate change solution. He said the international climate change symbol is a powerful tool that can be used in communications on climate change, highlighting that the viewer will immediately know, understand and feel something about the issue. More information: http://www.saveourclimate.org http://www.panda.org http://www.greenpeace.org http://www.unep.org http://www.minvrom.nl Contact: Sible Schöne Eva van der Weiden Steven Guilbeault Edwin Koekkoek Title: Special meeting with the UNFCCC national focal points on the UNFCCC rosters of experts Presented by the UNFCCC Olga Pilifosova, UNFCCC, discussed the activities of the UNFCCC rosters of experts. Outlining the nomination procedure, she said national experts from governments, NGOs and the private sector, with relevant scientific and technical expertise, should complete the roster application form and obtain endorsement from their National Climate Change Focal Points before submitting the form with their curricula vitae to the UNFCCC Secretariat. Clare Breidenich, UNFCCC, discussed the need for experts for the technical review of greenhouse gas inventories of Annex I Parties. She said the UNFCCC has tried to increase the availability of inventory experts on the roster through an Inventory Review Training Programme. Sergey Kononov, UNFCCC, described the expert selection process for the in-depth review (IDR) of Annex I national communications. He identified problems with the expert selection process, including incomplete and insufficient nominations, and urged those Parties that have not yet done so to nominate experts for the IDR of national communications. William Otieno, UNFCCC, demonstrated the process for nominating experts to the UNFCCC roster of experts. He highlighted that the nomination form is simple to use and available on the UNFCCC website. Kay Merce, UNFCCC, noted that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board has established rosters of experts for methodologies and accreditation. She explained that the Executive Board makes a "public call for experts" through the UNFCCC CDM website and via public announcements. She said anyone can apply, but there are competence criteria for each roster. Mikhail Vartanian, UNFCCC, demonstrated the Internet-based application procedure for the CDM roster of experts. More information: http://unfccc.int/program/mis/roster http://unfccc.int/cdm Contact: Olga Pilifosova Clare Breidenich Sergey Kononov William Otieno Kay Merce Mikhail Vartanian Title: Interlinkages between climate change and biological diversity Presented by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Outi Berghäl, Finland's Ministry of the Environment, presented the CBD's draft assessment report on "Interlinkages between biological diversity and climate change and advice on the integration of biodiversity considerations into the implementation of the UNFCCC objective." Manuel Guariguata, CBD Secretariat, said the aim of the report is to analyze: the impacts of climate change on biodiversity; the potential effects of mitigation and adaptation activities; and the role of biodiversity in mitigating climate change and contributing to adaptation options. He noted that the report also reviews lessons learned from country experiences. Robert Watson, World Bank, explained that the report analyzes, inter alia: linkages between climate change and biodiversity; the impacts of mitigation and adaptation options on biodiversity; approaches for supporting planning, decision making and public discussions; and lessons learned and case studies. Stressing that climate change will further exacerbate biodiversity loss, he underlined that climate change will: influence the ability of species to adapt and reproduce; and drive many species to extinction. Watson summarizing the observed and projected impacts of climate change on biodiversity. He said there are many opportunities to implement climate change projects that will enhance the conservation of biodiversity, such as: well-designed land use, land-use change and forestry projects; avoidance of deforestation; and integration of climate change and biodiversity strategies in national development policies. Discussion: Participants discussed, inter alia: the impacts of biodiversity on climate change; decision-analytic frameworks, including cultural prescriptive rules, and decision, cost-benefit, cost effectiveness and policy exercise analyses; how to meet the costs of including biodiversity considerations in climate change projects; and the need for further work on carbon sequestration impacts. More information: http://www.biodiv.org http://www.worldbank.org Contact: Manuel Guariguata Robert Watson Title: Integrating climate change and development: A proposal for a European Union (EU) strategy Presented by the European Community (EC) Maria Lamin, European Commission, presented the European Commission Communication on Climate Change in the Context of Development Co-operation, which was adopted 11 March 2003. She said the priorities of the strategy are: raising the policy profile of climate change; supporting adaptation; supporting mitigation; and developing capacity. On raising the policy profile, she noted the need for dialogue and cooperation and for in-house training and awareness raising to mainstream climate change considerations into strategy papers. Regarding support for adaptation, she stressed the need to take stock of current practices and learn from past experiences. She emphasized the value of, inter alia: ecosystem conservation and sustainable management of natural resources; wide stakeholder involvement; and research on climate change impacts and vulnerability. On support for mitigation, Lamin underlined the need to mainstream mitigation considerations into EU development activities, contribute to the identification and removal of barriers, and promote an enabling environment for the implementation of the CDM. Regarding capacity development, she underlined the need to raise public awareness in developing country partner States and support the development of human and institutional capacities. Discussion: Participants raised issues relating to the timeframe for implementing the strategy, civil society involvement, linkages with the EC communication on energy, facilitation of long-term policies, synergies among donor agencies, involvement of least developed countries in mitigation efforts, and mechanisms for assessing progress. More information: http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/index_en.cfm Contact: Maria Lamin Artur Runge-Metzger Marc Debois Title: Development and climate Presented by the Netherlands' National Institute of Public Health and Environment Bert Metz, the Netherlands' Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (RIVM), introduced the Development and Climate Change Project, an initiative of 12 institutions from developing and developed countries that aims to address how sustainable development policies can be starting points for climate change policies. He underscored that the project's objectives include: exploring national development strategies; identifying promising policy options and activities that promote sustainable development; and establishing partnerships. Metz summarized the project's outcomes, including: identifying development priorities; creating synergies between development and climate change policies; engaging stakeholders; and designing a methodological framework. Atiq Rahman, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, presented the status of the project in Bangladesh and highlighted that food and energy security are fundamental priorities for Bangladesh's sustainable development. Regarding energy generation, Rahman noted that Bangladesh's government plans to switch from imported oil to domestic natural gas and underscored that limited resource endowment and low energy efficiency are barriers. Regarding food security, he underscored that Bangladesh developed projections regarding food demand up to 2030 and analyzed climate change impacts on land use. Ogunlade Davidson, Energy and Development Research Centre, said the project in South Africa focuses on energy and freshwater as development priorities. He underlined that 80% of South African greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy sector and highlighted policies that are being developed to: meet the energy requirements of the poor; enhance energy governance and efficiency; manage energy-related environmental impacts; and secure supply. Davidson noted that climate change will reduce water resources and underlined water management strategies. André Pereira, Center for Integrated Studies on Climate Change and the Environment, said the initiative in Brazil focuses on energy and land use issues. He noted obstacles to achieving development goals due to incomplete databases and short-term planning. Pereira highlighted that the project addresses: agroforestry, agriculture and reforestation in deforestated areas of the Amazon region; reforestation in other regions of the country; and the ethanol programme. Henriëtte Bersee, RIVM, highlighted that this initiative provides concrete evidence of successful implementation of sustainable development objectives and the achievement of the priorities of reducing poverty and greenhouse gas emissions under the climate change process. David Lesolle, Botswana's Department of Meteorological Services, underscored: that developing countries focus their development goals on energy and food securities; the need to further understand the vulnerability of developing countries; and the pressures that climate change imposes on water resources and health. Marc Gillet, France's Interministerial Task-Force for Climate Change, highlighted the need to consider the impacts of the transport sector on climate and development strategies. He observed that disaster preparedness is essential for developing countries. John Drexhage, International Institute for Sustainable Development, underscored the need to look at development as a tool to re-engage countries in discussions on future commitments. More information: http://www.developmentfirst.org http://www.bcas.net Contact: Bert Metz Atiq Rahman Ogunlade Davidson André Pereira Henriëtte Bersee David Lesolle Marc Gillet John Drexhage Title: Climate change and energy: A focus on technology Presented by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Underlining IEA's work on energy security, economic growth and environmental protection issues, Jonathan Pershing, IEA, outlined projections on future energy demand and the need to change existing trends. Cédric Philibert, IEA, described key energy technologies involving end-use efficiency, fuel switching, conversion efficiency, non- carbon energy sources, and nuclear energy, noting the need to use a policy mix including each of these options. Philibert reviewed statistics, trends, and practicalities regarding nuclear and renewable energy generation, and on carbon capture and storage. He discussed policy issues regarding existing and future technologies, competitiveness and future uncertainties. He also reviewed: the drivers of technological change; policy tools, including research and development subsidies, standards and voluntary agreements; and international collaboration issues. Benoit Lebot, IEA, reviewed the practicalities of energy efficiency related policies, focusing on efforts to improve energy efficiency of household appliances. Noting growth in household energy consumption, he stressed the cost effectiveness and carbon dioxide emissions reductions that can be achieved through the use of more efficient appliances. He outlined policy mechanisms including labeling and the use of minimum energy efficiency standards and stated that by applying life-cycle cost analysis, efficiency gains can be achieved cost effectively. He said an ideal policy package would include end-use analysis; independent life-cycle cost analysis; international benchmarking; dynamic policies, including minimum energy performance standards and labeling; and constant monitoring and evaluation. Pershing outlined trends and projections relating to renewable energy sources, presented energy scenarios and their environmental and security implications, and described policy options for renewable energy. Pershing noted that the use of renewable energy will increase if policy shifts are made that promote and support renewable energy markets. He said policy makers must align policies with sustainable development, energy security and environmental goals. Discussion: Participants raised questions regarding labeling standards in Europe, quantity restrictions on the ownership of household appliances, efforts to reduce fossil fuel subsidies, benchmarking initiatives, facilitation of technology transfer initiatives under the UNFCCC, and the IEA's implementing agreements. More information: http://www.iea.org Contact: Jonathan Pershing Cédric Philibert Benoit Lebot 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 , Karen Alvarenga de Oliveira and Hugh Wilkins . The Digital Editor is David Fernau the photographers are David Fernau and Leila Mead and the online assistant is Diego Noguera . The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI . Funding for publication of ENB on the side at UNFCCC SB-18 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. Excerpts from ENB on the side may be used in non-commercial publications only and only with appropriate academic citation. For permission to use this material in commercial publications, contact the Director of IISD Reporting Services at . Electronic versions of issues of ENB on the side from SB-18 can be found on the Linkages website at http://enb.iisd.org/climate/sb18/enbots/.