Ambassador Carl Marshall, Jamaica, noted a recent partnership-based workshop on CDM developments, which involved designated national authorities (DNAs) and stakeholders from the English-speaking Caribbean. He highlighted a windfarm project being implemented by a Jamaican energy company.

Crispin d’Auvergne, Saint Lucia, described efforts to adapt to climate change in this region, noting that adaptation is equated with survival. He noted the need to convey a sense of urgency regarding preparation for climate change to help people take control of adaptation efforts, and to use “social marketing” to understand how to best motivate people.

Emilio Sempris, Water Centre for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean, drew attention to the significant advances made since initial adaptation efforts in 1996, including capacity building, familiarity with climate change vocabulary, and the achievement of a critical mass of local researchers. He described the strategy for implementing the Adaptation Project Framework, and emphasized matching adaptation to nation-specific interests. He also noted that social sciences play an increasingly important role in strengthening adaptive capacities. He indicated that water quality and availability is a great concern to many countries in the region, and has been a driver of the project.

Kenrick Leslie, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), noted future adaptation activities, and added that both climate variability and climate change impacts need consideration, including erosion and fresh water salinization.

He outlined the development of the CCCCC Special Project on Adaptation in the Caribbean, a pilot project developed in cooperation with GEF, CAPRICOM and donor countries, expected to come online in 2006. He described activities related to the Dialogue on Options for Climate and Insurance-Related Activities, including partnerships with universities in North America. He noted the potential collaboration with Japan on the development of forecasting climate models in relation to watershed management and agriculture.

Discussion: participants expressed concern about equity in CDM project distribution, presently skewed towards larger developing countries, and the ability of present capacity building efforts to address this issue.

Dallas Burtraw, Resources for the Future, noted the importance of initial distribution of emission allowances under RGGI, highlighting that these are first apportioned to states, and then allocated to emitting firms. He described difficulties associated with balancing efficiency and equity and stressed that the fundamental question remains whether firms will be able to pass on cost increases to consumers. Burtraw noted that 20% of allowances given to states must be used for public benefit programmes.

Jonathan Pershing, WRI, discussed RGGI offsets, noting that state sovereignty has been greater in the absence of federal involvement. He described predicted outcomes of five different policy scenarios, ranging from a 0 to 35% reduction. He cautioned that excessive costs could reduce political will, but that allowing a broader range of offsets may reduce costs.

Discussion: participants discussed ways in which RGGI differs from a carbon tax; the importance of the variability associated with Canada in the model; and the expected leakages which may undermine cost-effectiveness.

Eduardo Reyes, National Authority of Environment (ANAM), Panama, highlighted ANAM’s role in positioning the CDM portfolio in the international arena.

Alejandro Hanono, Istmus Hydro Power Corporation, described the Concepción Hydropower plant project.

Benoit Chouinard, Gasosyn Energies International, described a Thermocycling Plant project currently in development, highlighting its social and economic benefits.

Roy William Goti, SGS, emphasized SGS’s ability to market and deliver CDM validation and verification services in Panama.

Etienne Parisis, Panama ACOS BioEthanol Refinery, described the Indigenous Renewable Carbonaceous Energy Development process noting that it is the most efficient and economical biomass conversion hydrolysis process available.

Mark Ford, Eco Structures, noted the development of the Bilge Environmental Safety and Treatment project aimed at eliminating disposal of indiscriminate ocean discharges of toxic substances.

Arturo Ramirez, Hidroenergetica, presented a hydropower project, saying it will tackle rising energy usage and stabilize energy prices.

Jorge Arrige, Andean Development Corporation, reviewed his company’s CDM experience in Panama, noting the presence of qualified local capacity.

Frank Joshua, Carbon Centre, explained that the Centre is a marketplace for project developers looking for investment and investors searching for investment grade projects.

Noted that Russian emissions are growing faster than intensity reductions, Oleg Pluznikov, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Russia, indicated that the revised ecological legislation is being finalized.

Alexander Ishkov, Ministry of Natural Resources, Russia, noted that the development of a National Registry for carbon balance estimation under Kyoto and stated that carbon dioxide absorption by forests is a priority for the future regime.

Alexander Golub, Environmental Defense, said Russia will meet its emissions targets but uncertainty about future incentives and industry’s response make 2022 predictions uncertain.

Helmut Schreiber, World Bank, described support for developing a Green Investment Scheme, highlighting the failure of CDM and delays in JI projects. He also said the new umbrella carbon facility was designed for very large projects.

Oleg Pertsovsky, RAO UESR, said his electric power company’s inventory is successful, noted its participation in the carbon market, and called for emissions trading to finance action.

Insaf Saifullin, OAO Gazprom, indicated that his gas company the world’s largest and is collaborating with a number of European industries in the development of mitigation projects.

Adrien Zeller, Regional Council of Alsace, presented Energivie, a regional programme on energy efficiency and renewable energy. He said regional actions strengthen national efforts to mitigate climate change and engage civil society.

Marc Antoine Martin, French Global Environmental Facility (FFEM), described a French cooperation project aimed at installing new wood-fueled boilers for the network of two cities in Lithuania. He highlighted the project’s advantages, including: employment creation, air quality improvement; and better forest management.

Francois Moisan, French Environment and Energy Grid Agency (ADEME), explained that Bilan Carbone is an emission accounting tool aimed at helping companies and local authorities develop a local climate change strategy.

Claude Nahon, Eléctricité de France, presented Bilan Carbone, an industry initiative for research on renewable energies with a focus on the building sector. She said Bilan Carbone is a forum for information exchange, training and the development of synergies between industries.

Discussion: participants addressed the need to develop region-specific climate strategies; public awareness; and education on climate change.