ENB on the side – 1st Meeting of the Parties serving as the Conference of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and 11th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - Issue #10
PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) in cooperation with the UNFCCC Secretariat Written by: Asmita Bhardwaj Alice Bisiaux Robynne Boyd Twig Johnson, Ph.D. Peter Wood Editor: Lisa Schipper, Ph.D. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Director of IISD Reporting Services: Langston James "Kimo" Goree VI <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Volume 17, Issue #10 Friday, 9 December 2005 Online at http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop11/ Events convened on Thursday, 8 December 2005 Title: Central America and the Caribbean: advances in adaptation to climate change Presented by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre 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. More information: http://www.caribbeanclimate.org http://www.cathalac.org http://www.climatechange.gov.lc Contacts: Ambassador Carl Marshall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Crispin d’Auvergne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Emilio Sempris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Kenrick Leslie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Building and Strengthening Institutional Capacities in Climate Change: Brazil, South Africa, India and China Presented by the Institute of Development Studies Farhana Yamin, Institute of Development Studies, described the BASIC project which supports implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and Convention commitments and builds country capacity for engagement in future climate change negotiations in four developing countries. Shirene Rosenberg, Resource Management Environmental Planning, City of Cape Town, illustrated public sector experiences in implementing CDM in South Africa. Paul Curnow, Baker & Mackenzie, noted that a number of important decisions are expected to emerge from the current COP, regarding governance of the CDM Executive Board and bundling of CDM projects. Gylvan Meira Filho, University of São Paulo, underscored the importance of steering CDM towards a more global approach. Jacques Markovitch, University of São Paulo, highlighted a number of collaborative efforts in Brazil such as satellite monitoring of deforestation in the Amazon. Jurgen Lefevre, European Commission, emphasized the significant progress on CDM and noted the growing interest in linking CDM to company-based trading schemes. Jonathan Pershing, World Resources Institute, noted a regional initiative for emission trading in the North-Eastern US, and highlighted that adaptation activities have to accommodate both present and future climate impacts. Lu Xuedu, CDM EB, said while CDM reform is necessary it should ensure additional emission reductions. Discussion: participants discussed possibilities of certifying, mapping and getting credits for adaptation, and linking adaptation to the CDM. More information: http://www.basic.project.net http://www.ids.ac.uk http://www.capetown.gov.za http://www.wri.org Contacts: Farhana Yamin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Shirene Rosenberg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gylvan Meira Filho <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Paul Curnow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jacques Markovitch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jonathan Pershing <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Global Cooling: cities take leadership Presented by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Jim Yienger, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), highlighted ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign on cities’ actions to reduce GHG. Gregory Nickels, Mayor of Seattle, US, described the US Mayor Climate Protection Agreement and noted that cities can provide a unified voice to catalyze action at the federal level. Marcelo Vensentini, Undersecretary for Environment, Buenos Aires, Argentina, listed some GHG mitigation techniques used by his city, including expansion of the subway system. Nicky Gavron, Deputy Mayor of London, UK, urged cities to work proactively with national partnerships to address climate change and outlined London’s initiatives in moving towards decentralized energy. Raymond Mampe, Executive Mayor of Potchefstroom, South Africa, highlighted activities of the CCP programme in Potchefstroom, including promoting energy efficiency in buildings and planting of trees, stressing the importance of political will. Alan Milne, Mayor of Kapiti Coast District, New Zealand, urged participants to convey to their communities the urgency of addressing climate change in order to start building local political will. Gord Steeves, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, described North America’s car culture as an outcome of municipalities being funded through property taxes, which encourages urban sprawl, and hoped for a new development model. More information: http://www.iclei.org/us http://www.seattle.gov/mayor http://www.buenosaires.gov.ar http://www.london.gov.uk http://www.potch.co.za http://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz http://www.fcm.ca Contacts: Jim Yienger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Marcelo Vensentini <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Nicky Gavron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Raymond Mampe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Alan Milne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Michelle Wyman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gord Steeves <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Prelude to a National Program? Presented by Resources for the Future, NESCAUM, and WRI Michelle Manion, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), described stages in the development of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), including groundwork, data assembly, sector modeling, economic analysis, and stakeholder consultation. She noted that offset projects have included methane capture and afforestation, and that if the allowance price exceeds a certain threshold, the percentage of allowable offsets is increased. 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. More information: http://www.weathervane.rff.org http://climate.wri.org Contacts: Michelle Manion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dallas Burtraw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jonathan Pershing <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Climate Change-A development issue Presented by the International Institute of Environment and Development Andrew Simms, New Economics Foundation, introduced the working group on climate change and development, highlighting their “Up in Smoke” series of publications. Victor Orinidi, ACTS Kenya, emphasized that addressing poverty will go a long way in increasing the resilience of households to climate change. John Magrath, Oxfam UK, noted that while climate change hits the poor the hardest, and that climate processes pay inadequate attention to key issues such as power, exploitation and injustice. John Lanchberry, BirdLife International, highlighted the need to consider the significant damage costs in societies due to climate change. Rachel Berger, Practical Action, stressed the need to address faulty governmental policies that have a counterproductive effect on the diverse livelihood strategies and coping capabilities of poor communities. Rod Harbinson, Panos, noted Panos’ efforts on stimulating climate change debates and awareness amongst the general public. Stephanie Long, Friends of Earth Australia, noted the large increase in ecological refugees and effects of climate change on the Pacific Islands. Saleemul Huq, International Institute of Environment and Development, noted their efforts to persuade development NGOs to engage in the climate change processes. Discussion: participants discussed initiatives to form coalitions for addressing climate change impacts at the community level. More information: https://www.acts.or.ke https://www.panos.org.uk/environment https://www.foe.org/au/climate https://www.oxfam.org.uk https://www.iied.org Contacts: Andrew Simms <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Victor Orinidi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> John Magrath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> John Lanchberry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Rachel Berger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Rod Harbinson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Stephanie Long <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Saleemul Huq <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Panama, where climate leverages businesses for sustainable development Presented by Panama Ricaurte Vásquez, Minister of Economy and Finance, Panama, provided an overview of Panama’s economy and described aspects of the Canal’s expansion project. Carmen Vergara, Vice-minister of International Trade, Panama, highlighted various projects, including the modernization of public transportation. 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. More information: http://www.mef.gob.pa/inicio/default.asp http://www.micl.gob.pa http://anam.gob.pa http://EcoStructuresPanama.com http://www.caf.com http://www.climateinvestors.com/ http://pa.sgs.com Contacts: Ricaurte Vásquez <[EMAIL PROTECTED] Carmen Gisela Vergara <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Eduardo Reyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Alejandro Hanono <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Benoit Chouinard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Etienne Parisis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mark Thomas Ford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Arturo Ramírez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jorge Arrigh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Frank Joshua <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Roy Williams Goti <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ligia castro de Doens <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol in Russia: current status and outlook Presented by the National Carbon Sequestration Alexander Kosarikov, Russian State Duma, said the future climate regime should be greener and include carbon giants such as the US, China and India. 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. More information: http://www.ncsf.ru http://www.rao-ees.ru http://www.carbonfund.org Contacts: Yury Fedorov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Evgeniy Sokolov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Oleg Pertsofsky <www.rao-ees.ru> Title: The French policy on climate change: from local to international perspective Presented by France Nelly Olin, French Minister of Ecology and Sustainable Development, outlined France’s climate change initiatives, highlighting the role of local authorities and the importance of adaptation. She listed measures and incentives to promote clean and renewable energies such as tax exemptions for hybrid cars and increased support for research on green transportation technologies. 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. More information: http://www.ecologie.gouv.fr http://www.region-alsace.fr http://www.ffem.net http://www.ademe.fr http://www.edf.fr Contacts: Adrien Zeller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Marc Antoine Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Francois Moisan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Claude Nahon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- A report of the side events held on Friday, 9 December will be available online at: http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop11/enbots/ A brief analysis of the side events held during COP/MOP 1 will be available on Monday, 12 December 2005 online at: http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop11/enbots/analysis.html This publication has been made possible with the kind support of the UNFCCC Secretariat. Future coverage is contingent upon support from donors. --- The Earth Negotiations Bulletin on the side (ENBOTS) © <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> is a special publication of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. This issue has been written by Asmita Bhardwaj, Alice Bisiaux, Robynne Boyd, Twig Johnson, Ph.D., and Peter Wood. The photographer is Leila Mead. The Digital Editor is Diego Noguera. The Editor is Lisa Schipper, Ph.D. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Funding for the publication of ENBOTS at UNFCCC COP 11 & Kyoto Protocol COP/MOP 1 is provided by the UNFCCC Secretariat. 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 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Electronic versions of issues of ENBOTS from UNFCCC COP 11 & Kyoto Protocol COP/MOP 1 can be found on the Linkages website at http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop11/. 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