European Union

The following events were covered by IISD Reporting Services on Wednesday, 11 July, 2018: Why Robust Multi-Stakeholder National Accountability Mechanisms are Essential for Achieving SDG 6 Blockchain for Transformation: Towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) Briefing by Independent Group of Scientists Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Why Robust Multi-Stakeholder National Accountability Mechanisms are Essential for Achieving SDG 6 Presented by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), in partnership with African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW), Coalition Eau, End Water Poverty, (EWP), Freshwater Action Network Mexico (FANMEX), Freshwater Action Network South Asia (FANSA), Government of Kenya, Government of Nigeria, Government of Sri Lanka, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Watershed Consortium. This side event convened to launch and discuss the findings of a global review on the effectiveness of national accountability mechanisms on progress towards the water and sanitation targets of SDG 6. The report is available online at: https://bit.ly/2KHTr4H Moderator Catarina de Albuquerque, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), stressed that the global review of national accountability mechanisms was conducted in 25 countries, in partnership with various CSOs worldwide. She said the study showed that accountability mechanisms are lacking in many countries and called for raising awareness among governments to ensure that multi-stakeholder mechanisms are effective and participatory in implementing the SDGs. Amrith Rohan Perera, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, noted the importance of partnerships, including with private sectors, CSOs, and youth. He outlined Sri Lanka’s efforts to realize a sustainable and resilient society, focusing on clear and safe water and sanitation. He highlighted the importance of not losing the great motivation governments have shown during the HLPF to make the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) a reality. Snehalatha Mekala, Freshwater Action Network South Asia (FANSA), noted that effective accountability mechanisms for monitoring progress on SDG6 need a legal basis and regular, transparent, and participatory processes. She highlighted findings showing that accountability mechanisms are not available, even when countries report they are, and that they often are not effective. She outlined challenges, including: lack of a legal basis for existing accountability mechanisms; limited CSO participation; lack of diversity of stakeholders represented: insufficient financing and budget allocation; and the need for improved monitoring capacity of countries. Irene Gai, Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO) shared the results of a study that examined national accountability mechanisms in Kenya. She reviewed existing mechanisms and platforms for SDG 6, including CSO participation, and described key challenges, such as the need for harmonized data collection tools with targets and indicators and resources. She outlined key recommendations for governments and CSOs, including: the need for: enhanced inclusivity; increased transparency on budgets; building a stronger voice for CSOs; and improved CSO accountability to citizens. Norma Munguia Aldaraca, Director of Global Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico, reported on her country’s experiences with the voluntary national review (VNR) process, noting that data is always a problem. She said it takes time and knowledge for society to get acquainted with the SDGs and called for more involvement of municipalities and the private sector. Ananda Jayaveera, Regional Sanitation Centre (RSC) and FANSA, Sri Lanka, emphasized mainstreaming CSO engagement and noted: his country’s efforts to establish a CSO platform and the importance of a service delivery system, especially for marginalized people. Nathalie Seguin, Freshwater Action Network Mexico (FANMEX), said that CSOs participated in the negotiations processes for the 2030 Agenda, but that once adopted, they face more difficulties participating in national implementation. She noted current challenges, including: strengthening CSOs’ capacity to advocate for and engage in developing plans and indicators at the national level; and increasing collaboration with communities that are left behind. She called for the HLPF to consider a better mechanism for CSO participation and to accept CSOs’ shadow reports. Sena Alouka, Jeunes Volontaires pour l'Environnement, speaking on behalf of the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW), spoke about the importance of CSO accountability, citing Burkina Faso as a positive example, and identifying the need for improved NGO governance. Marianne Kjellén, Water & Ocean Governance Programme (WOGP), UNDP, described the role of UNDP and other UN agencies in supporting national governments and other institutions on national accountability mechanisms. During the ensuing discussion, panelists identified promising ideas and inspirations and responded to participant questions, including on: linking the political sphere of the HLPF to the more legal sphere in Geneva; including SDGs in school curricula; the importance of partnerships to stop silo-thinking; producing and presenting shadow VNRs; and maintaining a comprehensive, not fragmented approach to the 2030 Agenda. The close of the event included the official launch of the report, Global Review of National Accountability Mechanisms for SDG 6, with a presentation of the first copy to Ambassador Amrith Rohan Perera. Amrith Rohan Perera (R), Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, following his welcome address Snehalatha Mekala, called for clarifying roles and responsibilities among CSOs to improve coordination A participant at the event Irene Gai, Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO), said, in Kenya, to make a big splash, especially about service delivery, you go to the media Nathalie Seguin, FANMEX, said the topic of accountability mechanisms is left out at the HLPF A participant takes notes during the event Saying effective mechanisms are important, Sena Alouka, speaking on behalf of the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW), said to know how deep the river is, you have to put two feet inside A participant makes a comment during the event A participant poses a question during the event Amrith Rohan Perera, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, and moderator Catarina de Albuquerque, launched the new report on Global Review of National Accountability Mechanisms for SDG6 Contact: David Trouba | David.Trouba@wsscc.org More Information: www.wsscc.org Blockchain for Transformation: Towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies Presented by UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the Republic of Slovenia, and the Dutch Blockchain Coalition This side event, moderated by Maria Rosaria Ceccarelli, UNECE, convened a roundtable to explore how blockchain technology can further the attainment of the SDGs. Moderator Ceccarelli opened the event, noting the potential role of blockchain in contributing to the SDGs. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, UNECE, said blockchain technology, often known for its use in storing and tracking cryptocurrency transactions, such as Bitcoin, also can be applied to advance implementation and monitoring of the SDGs, inter alia: reducing food waste in the supply chain (SDG 12.3); ensuring consumers have relevant information for sustainable lifestyles (SDGs 12.6 and 12.7); and providing legal identities and financial services to refugees and the very poor (SDG 2). Tadej Slapnik, State Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Slovenia, highlighted the relevance of blockchain technology in the context of shifts from centralized to decentralized to distributed economies in various sectors, including the energy market and food supply chain. He recounted that European companies have started to make use of blockchain technologies on personal data, and are exchanging experiences through public-private platforms, including the European Blockchain Hub, which promotes development of smart regulation; and capacity building. Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, UNOPS, underscored the importance of rethinking sustainable development narratives to address the disconnect between what we say about technological use for SDGs and what is available, including virtual currencies and blockchain. He stressed the importance of personal identification and financial data use to make data management more resilient and sustainable. Ad Kroft, Dutch National Blockchain Coalition, described existing and potential field applications in the Netherlands, including: energy; food security; childcare; and social security projects. He said use of blockchain technology in trade processes can help reduce transaction costs and lead to increased financial inclusion for many who cannot currently participate in the market. Ben Siegel, Consensys, outlined a range of positive social impacts from using blockchain technology, including: alternate sources of funding peer-to-peer marketplaces; economy for the unbanked; self-sovereign identity; transparent supply chains; decentralized governance; and effective philanthropy. He said one of the most impactful thing his company does is to include beneficiaries throughout the process. Gregor Novak, SunContract, described his project in Slovenia, saying it is the first in the world to connect energy producers and consumers using blockchain technology. He noted: the blockchain process removes intermediaries from the transaction so participants can set their own prices; all transactions are automatic; and the biggest obstacles faced by private businesses are legal and technical, such as access to the data. During the ensuing discussion, topics included: promoting understanding of blockchain technology among governments through co-creation processes; smart regulations on blockchain; benefits of using blockchain technologies to streamline data management and communications tools within the UN; and the impact of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), an EU-wide legal framework for personal data privacy. Olga Algayerova, UNECE, called for deepening public-private partnerships to ensure the security of blockchain use to gain the trust of regulators and traders Tadej Slapnik, State Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Slovenia, called for efforts to make blockchain technologies less energy intensive Ben Siegel, Consensys, underscored the vulnerability of identity, and said blockchain technology should not be used for data related to refugees Ad Kroft, Dutch National Blockchain Coalition, said a fundamental element of a blockchain system is to establish an “unbreakable identity” Panelists prepare for the session Participants at the venue Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, UNOPS, said it is crucial to identify problems when considering blockchain use for SDGs Gregor Novak, said people didn’t believe blockchain technology could work for energy distribution because the industry is too regulated Panelists and participants discuss after the session Contacts: Maria Rosaria Ceccarelli | maria.ceccarelli@un.org Yoshiyuki Yamamoto | yoshiyukiy@UNOPS.org More Information: www.unece.org/hlpf2018-blockchain.html Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) Briefing by Independent Group of ScientistsPresented by the GSDR Independent Group of Scientists and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). Shantanu Mukherjee, UN DESA, explained that the event was a “briefing and a chat,” allowing the scientist members of the GSDR group to report on the status of the next quadrennial report and to have a face-to-face discussion with member states and other interested stakeholders. Endah Murniningtyas, Indonesia, Co-chair, Independent Group of Scientists, opened the event, noting that the event is the third consultation opportunity for the draft GSDR report to be finalized by early 2019. Co-chair Peter Messerli, Switzerland, described the processes of developing the GSDR report, including: understanding the overall picture of opportunities and challenges for making transformation achievable; identifying how these opportunities and challenges are connected to each other; and consulting with non-scientific actors. Ernest G. Foli, Ghana, noted that more than 50 countries in Africa participated in consultations, focusing on the region’s specific challenges on implementing the SDGs. Jean-Paul Moatti, France, said that a business-as-usual approach will not help achieve the SDGs, and stressed that the report aims to provide recommendations on: how transformation can be made through technological innovation; and mobilizing all the stakeholders. Katherine Richardson, Denmark, said research focuses on activities that: address interlinkages between all the SDGs in developing and developed countries, and across sectors and levels; and on identifying synergies and trade-offs. After the initial round of statements by the scientist members in attendance, participants were invited to make comments or pose questions. The discussion centered on the following topics, including: whether the political setting compromises the work; if the group considers human psychological dimensions; the timing and process for report preparation, including opportunities for input; nature and extent of outreach efforts; potential for outputs from the report to be in the form of a toolbox or plugins to expand usability; systems to engage a broad base of stakeholders in the review process; how to promote the role of the private sector for enhancing the effectiveness of achieving the SDGs; spatial and temporal dimensions of the report, including from case studies to global analyses; relevance of climate change and that no country is on track to meet the SDG 13 targets; importance of right pricing and hidden costs; need for formal consultation, with checks and balances; and importance of highlighting the science-policy interface at each meeting. Endah Murniningtyas, Indonesia, Co-chair, Independent Group of Scientists Co-chair Peter Messerli, Switzerland, said the GSDR report intends to “truly” promote the science-policy interface Katherine Richardson, Denmark, said looking at food systems helps clarify interlinkages between SDGs Shantanu Maukherjee, UN DESA, moderating the meeting A participant poses a question Eun Mee Kim, Republic of Korea, supported the idea of making the report’s output attractive to a more diversified audience A participant engages with the group Contact: Peter Messerli | peter.messerli@cde.unibe.ch More Information: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/globalsdreport/2019 Around the Venue

Delegates to the second meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 2) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) continued their deliberations on Wednesday, considering the following agenda items: cooperation with other conventions, international organizations, and partnerships; mechanisms for review of implementation; national reporting, and assessment and review, under the Convention and its Protocols; enhancing integration under the Convention and its Protocols with respect to provisions related to access and benefit-sharing, biosafety, and Article 8(j) (traditional knowledge); review of the effectiveness of the processes under the Convention and its Protocols; and the trust fund for facilitating participation of parties in the Convention process: allocation of resources and possibilities of engaging the private sector. Delegates then addressed conference room papers (CRPs) on: progress in the implementation of the Convention and its Strategic Plan, including the Gender Plan of Action; assessment and review of the Nagoya Protocol; and biodiversity mainstreaming. A contact group on specialized international ABS instruments, and the Friends of the Chair group on the follow-up to the Strategic Plan met throughout the day and in the evening. For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis from SBSTTA 22 and SBI 2. Photos by IISD/ENB | Franz Dejon For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page SBI 2 Chair Francis Ogwal (Uganda) L-R: Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, CBD Secretariat; and SBI 2 Chair Francis Ogwal (Uganda) Manoela Pessoa de Miranda, CBD Secretariat Neil Pratt, CBD Secretariat Sónia de Pina Araújo Lopes, Cape Verde Raed Bani-Hani, Jordan Mohammed Mehdi, Morocco Atelaite Matoto, Tonga Plenary view of the SBI 2 proceedings L-R: Hesiquio Benítez Díaz and Laura Rodríguez, Mexico Meng Monyrak, Cambodia Chrissy Grant, International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) Agung Nugroho, Indonesia Carolina Caceres, Canada Hidenobu Maekawa, Japan Anna Gureva, Malta Jaime Grubb, Australia Daniel Wai-Poi, New Zealand Alissa Takesy, Federated States of Micronesia Genene Tefera Belihu, Ethiopia Christine von Weizsäcker, ECOROPA Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary, Convention on Migratory Species Jiří Hlaváček, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Nermalie Lita, the Philippines Oleg Borodin, Belarus Elzbieta Martyniuk, Poland Jerry Harrison, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre June Batang-ay, Tebtebba Foundation Tim Hirsch, Global Biodiversity Information Facility Roxana Solis, Peru Wolfram Tertschnig, Austria, for the EU Matthieu Seydoux, Switzerland Grecia Bárcena, Global Youth Biodiversity Network SBI 2 Snapshots Participants from UNEP Delegates from Indonesia L-R: Cyrie Sendashonga, IUCN; and Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, CBD Secretariat L-R: Hamdallah Zedan, Egypt, with Catalina Santamaria and Fabiana Spinelli, CBD Secretariat L-R: Mohammad Mahasneh, Palestine; Abdul-Hakim Aulaiah, Yemen; and El Khitma El Awad Mohammed Ahmed, Sudan

The fortieth meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (OEWG 40) opened Wednesday, 11 July 2018, in Vienna, Austria. In their opening remarks, Josef Plank, Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism, Austria, and Ozone Secretariat Executive Secretary Tina Birmpili cited recent findings of global emission increases of the ozone depleting substance trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11). They called on delegates to address the issue, with Executive Secretary Birmpili reminding: “We have an obligation to use the institutions of the regime that we have created - this is how the treaty works.“ Discussions during the day focused on sharing views on: the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) Report 2018 Volumes 3 (Progress Report) and 4 (Evaluation of 2018 Critical Use Nominations for Methyl Bromide and Related Matters); destruction technologies for controlled substances; linkages between hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in transitioning to low global warming potential (GWP) alternatives; and outcomes of the workshop on energy efficiency opportunities while phasing down HFCs. Highlights of the day included: Plenary added three items to the agenda to address eligibility for technical and financial assistance, global emissions of CFC-11, and organization and composition of the TEAP. Executive Secretary Birmpili said that any illegal consumption and production of CFC-11 would demand decisive action, “we must identify with accuracy the problem and rectify it.” She also reminded delegates of interlinkages to 13 of the 17 SDGs to which "the ozone treaty" contributes, drawing attention to the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) 2018 convening concurrently in New York City. Several parties expressed concern about the unexpected and persistent increase in CFC-11 emissions and welcomed that the meeting will provide early time to discuss this new agenda item. They referred to an Article published in the Journal Nature on 16 May 2018, that revealed CFC-11 emissions increased significantly despite the reported elimination of CFC-11 production under the Montreal Protocol. This suggests new unreported CFC-11 production, when the existence of any new CFC-11 production would violate the Protocol obligation to eliminate production of CFCs by 2010. An apparent inconsistency emerges because the production of CFC-11 for dispersive uses has been phased out globally under the Protocol and the production reported to the Ozone Secretariat since 2010 has been very small and for essential uses. Besides alarming concern, the Report delivered by the COP and MOP presidents to the HLPF 2018 explained that these findings also highlight the efficacy of the Montreal Protocol with science at their core stressing that “so long as scientists remain vigilant, new production or emission of ozone depleting chemicals will not go unnoticed.” Executive Secretary Birmpili reminded OEWG 40 that the Ozone Research Managers Report at COP 11/MOP 29 urged continued monitoring of ozone as well as ozone-depleting substances, and, that such activities require funding. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, has providing daily digital coverage and a summary and analysis from OEWG 40. Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Plenary Session From L-R: Ozone Secretariat Executive Secretary Tina Birmpili; Josef Plank, Secretary-General, Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism, Austria; OEWG 40 Co-Chair Yaqoub Al-Matouq, Kuwait; and Paul Krajnik, Austria Josef Plank, Secretary-General, Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism, Austria Ozone Secretariat Executive Secretary Tina Birmpili Philip Owen, EU John Thompson, US Lara Haidar, Lebanon Juliet Kabera, Rwanda Wenfu Dong, China View of the dais during the plenary session Saad Aldeen AlNumairy, UAE Minister Mohammad Mubarak Bin Daina, Chief Executive, Supreme Council for Environment, and Hassan Ali Mubarak, Bahrain Martin Sirois, Canada Hammami Youssef, Tunisia Ana Patricia Martínez Bolívar, Mexico From L-R: Ashley Woodcock, Adam Chattaway, and Helen Walter-Terrinoni, Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) Samuel Pare, Burkina Faso Charles Ikeah, Nigeria Ana Maria Kleymeyer, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Enoh Peter Ayuk, Cameroon Leslie Smith, Grenada OEWG 40 Co-Chairs Cindy Newberg, US, and Yaqoub Al-Matouq, Kuwait Patrick McInerney, Australia Obed Baloyi, South Africa Reine Marie Coly Badiane, Senegal Mark Radka, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Between Sessions Augustin Sánchez Guevara, Mexico, with Hamoud Al-Otaibi, Saudi Arabia Delegates from Saudi Arabia conferring Philip Owen, EU, and Samuel Pare, Burkina Faso From L-R: Miguel Antonio Gonzalez, Guatemala; Ozone Secretariat Executive Secretary Tina Birmpili; and Alfonso Alonzo, Minister of Environment, Guatemala Participants networking during the lunch break Jen Allan, and Beate Antonich, IISD Around the Venue

The workshop on Energy Efficiency Opportunities While Phasing-Down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) continued and concluded on Tuesday, 10 July 2018, at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria. Participants heard presentations and engaged in discussions during two sessions on: policies for improving the energy efficiency of small refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat-pump (RACHP) appliances; and policies for improving the energy efficiency of RACHP systems in commercial buildings, industry, and urban environments. In the afternoon, the workshop rapporteurs summarized key messages from their respective sessions. These include: utilizing the technical potential to improve efficiency and overcoming the lack of uptake by consumers requires financial support and consumer outreach; monitoring energy consumption is important and energy management systems can forecast future energy demand and energy efficiency opportunities; monitoring leaks as well as design and maintenance practices are critical for improving energy efficiency; and harmonizing measurement methods is required to improve the collection of data on energy efficiency. The conclusions of the workshop will be presented to the 40th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 40), which opens on Wednesday, 11 July. As Ozone Secretariat Executive Secretary Tina Birmpili explained, "energy efficiency is relatively new to the process and it is up to parties to decide on how to take this matter forward." OEWG 40 will also consider the 2018 Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) report, including a task force report specifically on issues related to energy efficiency while phasing down HFCs. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, has providing daily digital coverage and a summary and analysis from OEWG 40. Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Session V: Policies for Improving the Energy Efficiency of Small RACHP Appliances From L-R: Melanie Slade, International Energy Agency (IEA); Veerle Beelaerts, Directorate General for Energy, EU; Chris Dunstan, Institute for Sustainable Futures, Australia; Maria Vargas, Energy Star, US; Cheng Jianhong, China National Institute of Standardization; and Kofi Agyarko, Energy Commission, Ghana Maria Vargas, Energy Star, US Veerle Beelaerts, Directorate General for Energy, EU Kofi Agyarko, Energy Commission, Ghana Melanie Slade, IEA Cheng Jianhong, China National Institute of Standardization Chris Dunstan, Institute for Sustainable Futures, Australia Session VI: Policies for Improving the Energy Efficiency of RACHP Systems in Commercial Buildings, Industry and Urban Environments From L-R: Gabby Dreyfus, Kigali Cooling Efficiency Programme; Afif Harhara, Tabreed, UAE; Saurabh Kumar, Energy Efficiency Services Limited, India; Richard Lord, Carrier Corp. / United Technologies Corp., US; Howard Geller, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, US; and Toby Peters, University of Birmingham, UK Gabby Dreyfus, Kigali Cooling Efficiency Programme Howard Geller, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, US Toby Peters, University of Birmingham, UK Saurabh Kumar, Energy Efficiency Services Limited, India Richard Lord, Carrier Corp. / United Technologies Corp., US Afif Harhara, Tabreed, UAE Rapporteurs summarizing the workshop's sessions Around the Meeting Husamuddin Ahmadzai, Sweden, with Bassam Elassaad, TEAP Juliet Kabera, Rwanda, and Taha Mohammed Zatari, Saudi Arabia Around the Venue Sky-patching Goddess Nüwa, Yuan Xikun Woman Free, Edwina Sandys Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani Anti-Corruption Excellence Award The Code of Hammurabi The Scholars Pavilion