Download UNFCCC Workshop on the preparation of national communications

UNFCCC Workshop on the preparation
of national communications from
non-Annex I Parties
General description of steps taken or envisaged by
non-Annex I Parties to implement the Convention
26-30 April 2004
Manila, The Philippines
Graham Sem
Programme Officer
Non-Annex I Implementation
UNFCCC secretariat
[email protected]
General description of steps taken or
envisaged to implement the
Convention
A.
General
B.
Measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate
change
(a) Steps taken or envisaged to adapt to climate change
(b) Vulnerability of and adaptation to climate change
1.
Methodological approaches
(a) Methodologies and guidelines
(b) Evaluation of adaptation strategies and measures
2.
Reporting
(a) Scope of the assessment
(b) Description of approaches, methods and tools
(c) Key findings and integrating effects
(d) Adaptation strategies and measures
(e) Frameworks for adaptation
C.
Reference material and sources of information
A. General
Paragraph 25: Each non-Annex I Party shall, in accordance with
Article 12, paragraph 1 (b), communicate to the COP a general
description of steps taken or envisaged by the Party to implement the
Convention, taking into account its common but differentiated
responsibilities and its specific national and regional development
priorities, objectives and circumstances.
Paragraph 26: Non-Annex I Parties may provide information on
programmes containing measures to mitigate climate change by
addressing anthropogenic emission by sources and removals by sinks
of all greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, and
measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change,
following the provisions in these guidelines.
Paragraph 27: Taking into account Article 4, paragraph 7, and, as
appropriate, Article 4, paragraphs 3 and 5, of the Convention, the
extent to which developing country Parties will effectively
implement their commitment to communicate this information will
depend on the effective implementation by the developed country
Parties of their commitments under the Convention relating to
financial resources and transfer of technology.
B. Measures to facilitate adequate
adaptation to climate change
Steps taken or envisaged by Parties (a)
Paragraph 28: Non-Annex I Parties shall, in accordance with Article 12,
paragraph 1(b) and (c), of the Convention, provide to the COP information on
the general steps taken or envisaged towards formulating, implementing,
publishing and regularly updating national and, where appropriate, regional
programmes containing measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate
change, and any other information they consider relevant to the achievement
of the objective of the Convention and suitable for inclusion in their
communications.
 Description of national/regional activities, measures and programmes
undertaken or planned to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change
 Requirements of the UNFCCC and importance vulnerability and adaptation
to climate change and how Article 4.8 and 4.9 are implemented (link to
national circumstances), and vulnerable human systems/sectors or areas
(brief)
 Use of IPCC guidelines, national adaptation programmes of action,
adaptation policy framework, case studies, other approaches, etc
 Key sets of baseline conditions and their linkages: climate-related disaster
effects and response capabilities, population, food security, agriculture, water
resources, financial services, insurance/risk, etc.
 Text boxes, arrow diagrams, charts, etc to show key conditions
and their linkages
Vulnerability and adaptation (b)
Paragraph 29:
Non-Annex I Parties should provide
information on their vulnerability to the adverse effects of
climate change, and on adaptation measures being undertaken
to meet their specific needs and concerns arising from these
adverse effects.

Outline climatic, environmental and socio-economic conditions in the
country including strengths and weaknesses of the baseline conditions

V&A assessment as part of a national climate change response strategy
– specific needs and concerns and priorities with respect to adapting to
current climate variability and future climate change

A synthesis of the current state of knowledge – V&A as an ongoing
process

Information to include: vulnerability to climate variability and climate
change in critical human systems, sectors, difficulties/barriers to
adaptation in critical areas/sectors, and opportunities and priorities for
adaptation.

A matrix of vulnerabilities, potential impacts and adaptation
options
1. Methodological approaches
Methodologies and guidelines (a)
Paragraph 30: Non-annex I Parties may use appropriate
methodologies and guidelines they consider better able to
reflect their national situation for assessing their
vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, provided that
these methodologies and guidelines are consistent, transparent
and well documented.

IPCC technical guidelines for assessing climate change impacts and
adaptations

Handbook on Methods for Climate Change Impact Assessment and
Adaptation Strategies


Handbook on Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments
National/regional methodologies and guidelines
Evaluation of adaptation strategies and measures (b)
Paragraph 31: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to use, for
the evaluation of adaptation strategies and measures,
appropriate methodologies they consider better able to reflect
their national situation, provided that these methodologies are
consistent, transparent and well documented

Evaluation and prioritization is subject to social, economic and political
feasibility and/or cultural acceptance

Qualitative, predictive and process-based models, empirical studies,
expert judgment, decision support tools, etc

UNFCCC Compendium of decision tools for to evaluate strategies for
adaptation to climate change

Adaptation policy frameworks, NAPAs, etc
2. Reporting
Scope of V&A assessment (a)
Paragraph 32: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide information on
the scope of their vulnerability and adaptation assessment, including identification
of vulnerable areas that are most critical

Purpose and organization of assessment work

Participation of stakeholders

Sectors identified and studied

Methods/approaches used, spatial/geographical boundaries and
time horizons

Description of exposure units – agriculture, forests, water, health,
ecosystems, human settlements, infrastructure, industry, energy,
etc

Possible follow-up of the assessment work
Description of approaches, methods and tools (b)
Paragraph 33: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to include a
description of approaches, methodologies and tools used, including
scenarios for the assessment of impacts of, and vulnerability and
adaptation to climate change, as well as any uncertainties inherent
in these methodologies

General approach, framework and specific methodologies for analysis
- e.g. IPCC guidelines, MAGICC-SCENGEN, PRECIS, downscaling, etc.

Environmental and socio-economic scenarios – i.e., climate is not the only factor

Population characteristics and resources, food, housing, arable land and other
development trajectories
Key findings and integrating effects (c)
Paragraph 34: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide
information on their vulnerability to the impacts of, and their adaptation to,
climate change in key vulnerable areas. Information should include key
findings, and direct and indirect effects arising from climate change,
allowing for an integrated analysis of the country’s vulnerability to climate
change

Describe and quantify effects of climate change in key vulnerable
areas/sectors
- effects of climate variability and change, vulnerabilities and adaptation in
key sectors
- coping strategies and possible options for adaptation

Indirect and combined effects and socio-economic changes (integrated
effects)

Broad implications for the country as a whole

Sectoral linkages and associated effects

Emphasize and qualify the effects of climate change and their
interactions with non-climatic changes
Adaptation strategies and measures (d)
Paragraph 35: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide
information on and, to the extent possible, evaluation of, strategies
and measures for adapting to climate change, in key areas
including those which are of the highest priority

Possibilities for responding to cc effects and their interactions
- no-regret options and other policies and development priorities
(planning, econ. Development, land-use, etc)

Specific adaptations to effects identified in the study

Evaluation/prioritization (costs, practicability, environmental and
cultural appropriateness

General policies with implications for adaptation

Needs for capacity building and institutional strengthening, public
awareness, education, and information
Frameworks for adaptation (e)
Paragraph 36: Where relevant, Parties may report on the use of
policy frameworks, such as national adaptation programmes, plans
and policies for developing and implementing adaptation strategies
and measures.


Frameworks such as adaptation policy framework and national adaptation
programmes of action can assist in the identification of options, strategies and
measures
- e.g. design specific adaptation projects and mainstreaming adaptation into
sustainable development
Priority adaptation needs (most urgent)

Barriers to and opportunities for adaptation (legal, institutional, financial,
technological)

Specific gaps and limitations – socio-economic and baseline data, climate and sealevel change scenarios, direct and indirect effects and their interactions

Appropriate adaptive options and capacity building needs
Reference material and sources of
information

Methods and tools for vulnerability and adaptation
assessments

Baseline climatologies and climate change scenarios

Socio-economic scenarios
Thank you!
For your attention