Howard Diamond, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, provided an overview of the GCOS System Improvement Programme and commended the improved Global System Information Center website. He described the Pacific Island Global Observing System’s objective of enhancing Pacific Climate Observations.

Paul Mason, GCOS Steering Committee, described the Cooperation Mechanism and the SBSTA’s proposals for an improved funding mechanism.

Joan Fitzpatrick, Group on Earth Observations (GEO), described the GEO and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems.

Jose Kusugak, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said the book describes how the Inuit are affected by climate change, their adaptation efforts, and future adaptation needs. He underscored the importance of incorporating cultural and local knowledge components into adaptation strategies.

Mucktar Akumalik, Arctic Bay, Nunavut, highlighted that the decrease and late arrival of snow in his community had caused numerous economic hardships.

Naalak Nappaluk, Kangiqsujuak, Nunavik, highlighted a number of effects of climate change on his community such as a decease in traditional food sources and health problems.

Pauline Anderson, Northwest River, Nunatsiavut, outlined the changes taking place in his community due to climate change such as the decreased availability of plant and animal food and loss of traditional snow travel routes.

Emilio La Rovere, Centro Clima, said SSN’s approach utilizes CDM to create projects that maximize sustainable development. He described a solid waste incineration project in Brazil, saying the project is cost effective and contributes to environmental sustainability.

Steve Thorne, SouthSouthNorth, described the Kuyasa project, which upgrades low cost housing, as delivering high sustainable development benefits. He highlighted lessons learned, including that although projects with many beneficiaries may be process heavy, they provide security and ownership co-benefits. He added that the Gold Standard programme can deliver sustainable development benefits.

On capacity development for CDM in the South, Thais Corral, Human Development Network (REDEH), said they are developing institutional capacity, capacity of their partners, and southern capacity, in order to pursue structural poverty reduction; deliver projects to mitigate global GHG emissions, and assist communities in adapting to climate change.

On adaptation, Saleemul Huq, International Institute for Environment and Development, introduced the SSNs new adaptation methodology, an adaptation project protocol for community-based adaptation.

Alexandra Amerstorfer, Kommunalkredit, Austria, stressed the importance of including small-scale projects in their CDM portfolio, and encouraged the submission of eligible projects, particularly those that: fall within the priority categories; have a detailed business plan; demonstrate financial feasibility; and hold potential for regional development. She said the negotiation of a contract is based on market price, but that factors such as risk and project quality are also relevant. She added that project pre-payment of up to 30% may be possible. She indicated that 110 projects are in the pipeline, and noted the emerging importance of the Indian and Chinese markets for CDM projects.