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Climate Change Policy & Practice
Climate Change Policy & Practice
Coverage of Selected Side Events at the
Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2013

3-13 June 2013 | Bonn, Germany

Daily web coverage (click on the following links to see our daily web pages)
Side Events (ENBOTS) Coverage on Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Participants during the side event on NAMAs in the Transport Sector: Experiences and Perspectives.

The following side events were covered by ENBOTS on Wednesday, 5 June 2013.





Andrew McGee, Australia, said the long-term vision of MGD is use by countries and international organizations by 2015 to help guide the development of national forest MRV and monitoring systems.
Underlining the emerging role of satellite data in MRV systems, Frank Martin Seifert, ESA, sustained that coordination of satellite data acquisition and supply is fundamental to GFOI objectives and supports all countries’ participation in reporting.
Orbita Roswintiarti, Indonesia, described the progress of the Indonesian National Carbon Accounting System (INCAS) programme and stressed the importance of expert guidance in Indonesia’s approach.

The side event, moderated by Andrew McGee, Australia, presented practical examples from developing countries participating in the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI), to illustrate how Methods and Guidance Documentation (MGD) can contribute to national carbon accounting systems and achievement of forest monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) objectives.

Introducing the GFOI, Simon Eggleston, Group on Earth Observations (GEO), said it has “unique features,” including participation by: space agencies; experts in Earth observation; organizations involved in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and conservation and sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+); and developing countries.

Providing an overview of MGD, McGee stated that one of the MGD’s objectives is to provide detailed and consistent operational guidance to countries on how to develop national forest MRV systems using a combination of remote sensing and ground data to best meet national policy objectives.

Miriam Baltuck, GFOI, said the MGD development process is guided by expert stakeholders, written by internationally recognized science and policy experts, reviewed by developed and developing country GFOI participants, and independently reviewed by international scientific experts.

Jim Penman, GFOI MGD Advisory Group Chair, defined MGD as an operational interface between the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Global Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics (GOFC-GOLD). He said that the GFOI provides remote sensing data consistent with IPCC requirements, while the MGD provides operational guidance for use of remote sensing data in greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories consistent with IPCC guidance.

Presenting a practical country example, Orbita Roswintiarti, Indonesia, indicated next steps on remote sensing, including annual cloud-free mosaic and forest extent and change mapping of Indonesia for 2000-2012.

Frank Martin Seifert, ESA, stated that satellite data is a fundamental asset in setting up MRV systems at the national level. He noted that under the GFOI, the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) space agencies ensure systematic observations from space of the forests world-wide.

In the ensuing discussions, a series of questions and answers revolved around issues such as: uncertainty regarding forest carbon changes; combinations of satellite and ground data; methodological differences in satellite measurements between developing and developed countries; cost of satellite data; and outreach strategies to stakeholders involved in the process.

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Panel (L-R):  Frank Martin Seifert, ESA; Simon Eggleston, GEO; Andrew McGee, Australia; Orbita Roswintiarti, Indonesia; Miriam Baltuck, GFOI; and Jim Penman, GFOI MGD Advisory Group Chair.
More Information:

www.gfoi.org

Contacts:

Andrew McGee (Moderator)
ifm.contact@climatechange.gov.au




The Durban Platform Negotiations:
Lessons From Other International Regimes


Presented by Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)
Ashley Vortuba underlined the potential of bottom-up approaches.
Approaching fragmentation, Daniel Bodansky underlined that, notwithstanding the problems it brings forth, it may constitute part of the solution.
Drawing lesson from the CISG, Daniel Crane addressed the benefits that arise from harmonization.

This side event, moderated by Daniel Rothenberg, Arizona State University (ASU), featured speakers from ASU that, through a series of papers, drew lessons from other international regimes for the negotiations on the Durban Platform.

Elliot Diringer, C2ES, opened the session presenting the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and its links to the session.

Daniel Bodansky, ASU, presented Evan Singleton’s work on fragmentation through multiple agreements, using the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as a point of reference. He examined the complexity of patenting micro-organisms and the numerous relevant treaties, moving to WIPO’s function as an umbrella organization. Drawing from this experience, he underscored that while fragmentation can pose a problem, it can also be part of the solution.

Ashley Vortuba, ASU, focused on the bottom-up approach, trying to link climate negotiations to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). She focused on a bottom-up approach including: resources and information provision; changes in socialization; systematic monitoring; provision of a forum for communication; and increased participation. She concluded that bottom-up approaches may induce change but its extent is still to be decided.

Michael O’Boyle, ASU, discussed opt-in provisions and regional regimes in the context of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), explaining that opt-in provisions in the ECHR build trust, allow flexibility and increase participation. Regarding regional treaties, he underscored that they provide a laboratory for normative and institutional development.

Daniel Crane, ASU, discussed harmonization of carbon markets in the context of the Convention on the International Sale of Goods (CISG), providing an overview of carbon market fragmentation. He concluded that harmonization includes a variety of benefits such as reducing transaction costs, creating a common language and increasing outcome predictability.

The ensuing discussions focused, inter alia, on: the nature of the bottom-up approach and its capacity to generate change; failed bottom-up approaches; and the scope of comparing different paradigms.

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Panel (L-R):  Daniel Bodansky, ASU; Ashley Vortuba, ASU; Daniel Crane, ASU; Daniel Rothenberg, ASU; Michael O’Boyle, ASU; and Elliot Diringer, C2ES.
.
More Information:

www.c2es.org
www.asu.edu

Contacts:

Sara Moarif (Coordinator)
moarifs@c2es.org




Early Implementation of the GFCS

Presented by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Carolin Richter, Director, GCOS Secretariat, presented on ways GCOS supports user-driven climate services by providing observations for adaptation.
Introducing the GFCS, Jerry Lengoasa, WMO, said its purpose is better management of climate variability and change, and adaptation to climate change through use of climate information in policy and practice from global to national scale.
Addressing the scope of engineers practice in civil infrastructure, Darrel Danyluk, WFEO, stressed the need to account for current and future climate, and to design for extremes, not for averages.

This side event, moderated by Jerry Lengoasa, WMO, presented the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) initiative, and discussed its aim to disperse the benefits from global to national levels to facilitate efforts to adapt to climate variability and change for improved health, water management, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security from 2013.

Presenting a broader user perspective on what GFCS may provide, Klaus Radunsky, Austria, mentioned entry points, such as: the Cancun Adaptation Framework and the issue of loss and damage and national adaptation plans (NAPs); the Hyogo Framework of Action priorities, including disaster risk reduction (DRR) and enhanced early warning; and the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction’s (GFDRR) pre-2016 goals.

Darrel Danyluk, World Federation of Engineers Organization (WFEO), Canada, provided an engineer’s perspective on the use of climate services. He warned that by the end of this century, all existing infrastructure will need to be replaced or refurbished, and urged for taking advantage of this “window” to focus on adaptation and update infrastructure in accordance with new climate criteria.

Lengoasa outlined the GFCS implementation priorities, including: governance, leadership and management capacity to take the Framework forward; capacity development, including strengthening regional climate capabilities; implementation of high-profile projects to address gaps across pillars and priority areas; improvement of climate observations in data sparse areas; and promotion of partnerships among stakeholders for addressing gaps and priorities.

Presenting the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) programme, Carolin Richter, Director, GCOS Secretariat, said its scope is to provide the comprehensive observations required for: monitoring the climate system; detecting and attributing climate change; and assessing impacts of, and supporting adaptation to, climate variability and change.

During discussions, participants posed questions on different aspects of the GFCS, such as: details on its full operationalization envisaged for July 2013; ways for countries to make use of its services; the possibility of adding more pilot projects; and availability of financial capacity to support countries involved in the initiative.

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Panel (L-R):  Carolin Richter, GCOS; Klaus Radunsky, Austria; Jerry Lengoasa, WMO; and Darrel Danyluk, WEFO.
More Information:

https://www.wmo.int/pages/gfcs/index_en.php

Contacts:

Amir Delju (Coordinator)
adelju@wmo.int




NAMAs in the Transport Sector:
Experiences and Perspectives


Presented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
André Eckermann, GIZ, underlined that transport NAMAs: work in different continents and development stages; are compatible with different motivation; and involve local governments.
Benoit Lefevre, EMBARQ, World Resources, quoting Yvo de Boer, said: “If you do not tackle transport, then you cannot tackle climate change.”
Heather Allen, Bridging the Gap, proposed workshops, side events and policy papers to create a better understanding and close the gap between land transport and international climate change.

This session, moderated by Niklas Höhne, Ecofys, addressed Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in the transport sector, as the latter contributes the second highest share of energy-related CO2 emissions, which are expected to increase dramatically in the near future.

André Eckermann, GIZ, introduced the Towards climate-friendly technologies and measures - TRANSfer project, which aims to support developing countries to make use of transport NAMAs to mitigate climate change on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).

Benoit Lefevre, EMBARQ, World Resources, focused on strategies to reduce GHG emissions from transport by avoiding emissions, shifting from energy intensive transport and improving technology.

Heather Allen, Bridging the Gap, noted the need to close the gap between land transport and international climate change, so that transport can be included in the climate agenda. She focused on the sectoral distribution of NAMAs to reveal that transport-related actions are second only to energy.

In the ensuing panel discussion, moderator Höhne presented the panel and the topics for discussion, which included: sharing experiences from transport NAMAs; barriers to implementation; and perspectives for the future.

Sandra Lopez, Colombia, discussed current and future projects in Colombia, identifying the interaction between agencies and data uncertainty as the most pressing problems.

Brian Mantlana, South Africa, focused on South African experiences from transport NAMAs, underscoring that, while in embryonic stage, his country favors a bottom-up approach. He singled out capacity building as the most challenging issue, due to the complexity of the technical work involved.

Allen underlined the vast potential of transport NAMAs, calling all related agents to build on current progress and announcing the Transport Day 2013 to be held at the 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19), on November 17.

Ned Helme, Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), presented his experience in different countries, using Colombia as the best example of transport NAMAs implementation. He emphasized coordination and identifying the key agencies as important barriers. He underscored that a clear definition of NAMAs in not essential at this point in time as many countries have NAMA initiatives of high quality and the right approach would be learning by doing and following these promising initiatives.

During discussions, participants posed questions on, inter alia: defining NAMAs; linking NAMAs and adaptation; and including aviation and maritime transport.

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Panel (L-R):  Brian Mantlana, South Africa; Sandra Lopez, Colombia; Niklas Höhne, Ecofys; Heather Allen, Bridging the Gap; and Ned Helme, CCAP.
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The Earth Negotiations Bulletin on the side (ENBOTS) © <enb@iisd.org> is a special publication of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in cooperation with the European Commission (EC). This issue has been written by Anna Schulz, Mihaela Secrieru and Asterios Tsioumanis. The Digital Editor is Brad Vincelette. The Editor is Liz Willetts <liz@iisd.org>. The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI <kimo@iisd.org>. Support for the publication of ENBOTS at the Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2013 has been provided by the EC. The opinions expressed in ENBOTS are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and funders. Excerpts from ENBOTS may be used in non-commercial publications only with appropriate academic citation. For permission to use this material in commercial publications, contact the Director of IISD Reporting Services at <kimo@iisd.org>. Electronic versions of issues of ENBOTS from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2013 can be found on the Linkages website at http://enb.iisd.org/climate/sb38/enbots/. The ENBOTS Team at the Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2013 can be contacted by e-mail at <anna@iisd.org>.

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