International Climate Change Policy Framework

International Climate Change Policy Framework TACC Training Module 3 1

Objectives of the Module • Introduce background, objectives and key provisions of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol • Highlight international policy issues of relevance for sub-national authorities • Examine the role of sub-national authorities in international climate change policy Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Overview • Section 1: Introduction to the International Climate Change Policy Framework • Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC • Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol • Section 4: Towards a Post 2012 Agreement Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

The Need for a Global Approach to Address Climate Change • Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions • GHG emission contribute to climate change irrespective of their origin • Majority of countries will be negatively affected if no action is taken • Need for a global regime to • Regulate global reduction of GHG emissions • Provide support to developing countries to adapt to climate change • Create a sustainable development path in all countries Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

What is the UNFCCC? • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change • Framework agreement governing global efforts to combat climate change • Complemented by a protocol specifying details (Kyoto Protocol) • Entered into force in 1994 • Currently has 194 Parties • 193 States • 1 regional economic integration organization • Legally binding treaty Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Important Events • 1979: First World Climate Conference (WCC) • 1988: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) • 1990: IPCC and 2nd WCC call for global treaty on climate change • 1992 : Convention adopted at the UN Headquarters, NY • 1994 : Convention enters into force • 1997: Adoption of the Kyoto Protocol • 2005: Kyoto Protocol enters into force • 2009: COP 15/ CMP 5 in Copenhagen, Denmark • 2010: COP 16/ CMP 6 in Cancun, Mexico • 2011: COP 17/ CMP 7 in Durban, South Africa • 2012: COP 18/ CMP 8 in Doha, Qatar Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Why is the UNFCCC Important from a Sub-national Perspective? • Decisions taken by Member States within UNFCCC affect all levels of governance • Engagement in UNFCCC process creates sub-national opportunities to • Participate in capacity development projects (e.g. TACC) • Access multi-lateral and bi-lateral funding • Benefit from carbon financing schemes • Opportunities exist to share sub-national perspectives via • National delegations • Observing associations (e.g. NRG4SD, ICLEI) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

The Role of Sub-national Authorities in the UNFCCC Process • UNFCCC is an international agreement with autonomous states being members/parties • Sub-national authorities do not participate directly in the negotiations • Opportunities for indirect participation of sub-national authorities include • Participation as members of national delegations • Participation through an observer association • Participation in official side events • Informal discussions/lobbying Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Observer Associations Promoting Sub-national Issues in the UNFCCC • Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (NRG4SD) • Represents regional governments at the global level • Promotes the contribution regions make to sustainable development • ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainable Development • Focal point for Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) • Coordinates local government observers during UNFCCC negotiations • World Mayors Council on Climate Change (WMCCC) • Alliance of committed local government leaders • Advocates involvement of mayors in multilateral climate and sustainable development issues Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Green Economy Report (2011) • Demonstrates that greening of economies is a new engine of growth - generator of decent jobs, a vital strategy to eliminate persistent poverty • Motivates policy makers to create enabling conditions for increased investments in green economy • Compiled by UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative in collaboration with economists and experts worldwide Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Rio+20 “The Future We Want” • Renewed political pledge to implement Sustainable Development (SD) • Ushered Green Economy into mainstream of policy discourse and Sustainable Development • Started process for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) • Reaffirmed climate change as one of the greatest challenges in the SD agenda (e.g. rising global GHG emissions, persistent drought and extreme weather events, sea level rise, coastal erosion and ocean acidification, further threatening food security) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Rio+20 on Green Economy • Confirmed green economy as one of the important tools available for achieving sustainable development • Resolved to strengthen international cooperation, provision of financial resources, capacity building and technology transfer to developing countries • Called for social inclusion as part of Green Economy Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

UCLG-ORU/FOGAR Rio+20 statement • Celebrated recognition of all the spheres of governments as key actors for the different dimensions of development • Welcomed the acknowledgement to reinvigorate the urban agenda with innovative practices and far reaching commitments • Regret that outcome document does not: i) reach greater global commitments to ensure the sustainability of the planet; ii) recognize culture as the 4th pillar of SD • Call for a multi-level governance for SD and strategies to achieve the MDGs and SDGs that should include culture, heritage, creativity and diversity in the post-2015 Agenda. Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Questions and Challenges from a Sub-national Perspective • Do sub-national authorities have sufficient information about international climate change processes and initiatives? • Are the implications of the UNFCCC for sub-national action on climate change clear? • Are sub-national perspective sufficiently considered within the international policy process? • How can sub-national authorities best contribute to international climate change processes? • Any other questions? Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Objectives of the Convention (Article 2) • “…..to achieve……..stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system…..” • “….within a time frame sufficient to: • Allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, • Ensure that food production is not threatened and • Enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.” Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Two-Prong Approach under the Convention • Mitigation • Actions taken to cut net emissions of greenhouse gases to reduce climate change • Adaptation • Actions taken to help cope with changing climate conditions and impacts Source: UNEP Source: UNITAR Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Principles Guiding the Convention (Article 3) • Common but differentiated responsibilities • Precautionary principle • Full consideration for developing country needs and circumstances • Right to sustainable development • Supportive and open economic system Source: Fotoila Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Commitments of All Parties (Article 4) • Develop national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions • Formulate mitigation and adaptation measures • Cooperate in technology transfer • Promote sustainable development • Take into account climate change considerations into development planning • Promote and cooperate in research • Cooperate in information exchange • Promote and cooperate in education, training and public awareness Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Groups of Parties with Different Responsibilities • Annex I Parties • Group of 40 industrialized countries and countries with economies in transition • Expected to reduce GHG emissions • Annex II Parties • Group of 23 developed countries (subset of Annex 1 countries) • Expected to pay for costs in developing countries • Non-Annex I Parties • Least Developed Countries (Article 4.9) • Developing countries particularly vulnerable to • Adverse effects of climate change (Article 4.8) • Response measures (Article 4.10) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Obligation of Annex 1 Parties (Industrialized and EIT Parties) • Annex 1 Parties include • Industrialized countries members of the OECD in 1992 • Countries with economies in transition (EIT Parties) • Expected to take the lead in modifying trends in GHG emissions (Article 4.2(a)) • Adopt policies and measures to return national GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2000 (Article 4.2(b)) • Submit regular national communications on policies and measures (Article 4.2(b)) • Submit an annual inventory of GHG emissions Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Obligations of Annex 2 Parties (OECD Countries Providing Financing) • Annex 2 Parties include OECD members within the Annex I group • Responsibility to provide additional financial resources to developing countries (Article 4.3) • Assist particularly vulnerable developing countries to meet costs of adaptation (Article 4.4) • Facilitate the transfer of climate-friendly technologies (Article 4.5) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Obligations of Non Annex 1 Countries (Developing Countries) • Non Annex 1 countries include mainly developing countries • Sub-groups includes: • Countries especially vulnerable to climate change • Least developed countries (LDCs) • General commitment specified in Article 4, taking into account: • Common but differentiated responsibilities • Development priorities • Non quantitative emission reduction requirements • Must report in general terms on action to: • Address climate change • Adapt to the effects of climate change Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Important Bodies under the Convention • The Conference of the Parties (COP) • Subsidiary Bodies • Subsidiary Body on Scientific and Technological Advice (SBTSA) • Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) • Expert Groups • Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on National Communication • Least Developed Country Expert Group • Expert Group on Technology Transfer • Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG LCA) established in 2007 Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Subsidiary Body on Scientific and Technological Advice (SBTSA) • Provides advice on scientific and technological matters • Comprised of government representatives competent in the relevant field of expertise • Develops guidelines for national communications and emission inventories • Meets at least twice a year with last sessions of the year held in conjunction with COP Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) • Assists in assessing and reviewing implementation of the UNCCC • Deals with financial and administrative matters • SBI sessions held at the same time as SBSTA sessions Source: UNITAR Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Partner Agencies of the UNFCCC • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) • Jointly hosted by WMO and UNEP • First IPCC report served as the basis for negotiating the Convention • Provides important scientific, technical and socio-economic analysis • Relationship considered model for interaction between science and decision makers • Global Environment Facility (GEF) • Entrusted by COP as the financial mechanism under the Convention • MOA developed between COP and GEF • COP provides regular guidance policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria for funding • GEF reports annually to the Conference of Parties Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

National Focal Points under the UNFCCC • UNFCCC National Focal Point • First point of contact within the government for communications regarding the UNFCCC • http://maindb.unfccc.int/public/nfp.pl • Focal Points for Article 6 (Education, Training, Awareness Raising) • Responsibilities include • Identification of areas for international cooperation • Strengthening synergies with other conventions • Coordinating reporting on Article 6 chapter in national communications • http://unfccc.int/cc_inet/information_pool/items/3888.php • Designated National Authorities for Clean Development Mechanism (Kyoto Protocol) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

National Communications • National communications document implementation status in individual countries • Annex 1 and Annex 2 Parties must submit regular reports to COP • Non-Annex 2 countries have reporting flexibility • Support for Non-Annex 2 countries available to prepare National Communications • National communication often coordinated by national UNFCCC Focal Point • National communications available at http://unfccc.int/national_reports/items/1408.php Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

UNFCCC Capacity Development Framework • Adopted in 2001 in Marrakech to foster a strategic approach to capacity development • Desired features of capacity building • Country-driven • Address the needs and conditions of developing countries • Reflect national sustainable development strategies, priorities and initiatives • Continuous, progressive and iterative process • Undertaken in a programmatic manner • 2nd comprehensive review initiated in 2009 distinguishes between • Enabling capacity • Organizational capacity • Individual capacity Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

What is the Kyoto Protocol? • Supplements and strengthens the Convention • Provides detailed targets and timelines for GHG emission reductions • Adopted at the COP 3 in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 • 84 countries had signed the protocol by March 1999 • Entered into force in February 2005 • Currently, 190 Parties • 189 States • 1 regional economic integration organization • First commitment period will expire in 2012 Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Relevance of the Kyoto Protocol at the Sub-national Level • Focuses on reduction of GHG emissions in developed countries • Also provides opportunities for sub-national authorities in developing countries • Clean Development Mechanism can support mitigation projects • Kyoto Adaptation Funds can support adaptation action • Emission trading may be of interest for sub-national territories with high GHG emissions Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Annex A: Regulated Greenhouse Gases • Carbon dioxide (CO2) • Methane (CH4) • Nitrous oxide (N2O) • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) • Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) Source: Flickr Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Limitation/Reduction of Emissions in Six Key Categories (Annex A +) • Energy • Industrial processes • Solvent and other product use • Agriculture • Land use change and forestry • Waste Source: UNITAR Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Annex B: Mitigation Commitments of UNFCCC Annex 1 Countries • Parties included in UNFCCC Annex I shall individually or jointly: • Reduce their emissions by at least 5 % below 1990 levels by the 2008 to 2012 period • Ensure their amount of CO2 equivalent emissions do not exceed assigned amounts (Annex B) • Each Annex B Party has Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) for the 2008-2012 commitment period Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Creating Flexibility for Implementation: The Kyoto Mechanisms • Three Kyoto Mechanisms create flexibility for emission reductions • Joint Implementation (Article 6) • Clean Development Mechanism (Article 12) • Emission Trading (Article 17) • Basic concept and rationale • Emission reduction can be more cost-effective in some countries/facilities than others • Creates potential for market exchange and win-win situations • Designed to boost the cost-effectiveness of mitigation • Facilitates compliance of Annex I Parties Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

The Kyoto Protocol Accounting System • Requirements to estimate emissions by Parties at the national level • Strict reporting requirements and review procedures • Compliance Committee determine cases of non-compliance Source: IPCC Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Institutions and Bodies under the Protocol • Conference of Parties serving as Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) • Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board • Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee • Compliance Committee • Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) established in 2005 Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Bali 2007 Road Map and Action Plan • Comprehensive process adopted by COP in 2007 to strengthen the Convention • Pillars of the Bali Action Plan • A shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including long-term global goal for emission reductions • Enhanced national/international action on mitigation of climate change • Enhanced action on adaptation • Enhanced action on technology development and transfer • Enhanced action on the provision of financial resources and investment Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Bali 2007 Road Map and Action Plan (cont.) • Establishment of two subsidiary bodies to support the process • Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA) • Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Local Government Climate Roadmap • Advocacy to enhance recognition of Local Government in advance of Copenhagen Conference • Partnership of ICLEI, UCLG, Metropolis, WMCCC and C40 Climate Leadership Group • Process started during COP 13 in December 2007 as a two-year advocacy campaign • Advocacy efforts continue in the run-up to COP 18 in Doha in November 2012 • www.iclei.org/climate-roadmap Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Key Elements of 2009 Copenhagen Accord • Global commitment to keep temperature increase below 2°C • Principle financial commitments from developed countries: • USD 30 billion for period of 2010-2012 • USD 100 billion a year by 2020 • Priority funding for adaptation in most vulnerable countries (LDC, SIDS, Africa) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Key Elements of 2010 Cancun Agreements • Mitigation: • Industrialized countries will submit detailed annual inventories of greenhouse gas emissions • Establishment of a registry where developing countries will detail their voluntary plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions and the support they need to achieve them • The Kyoto Protocol’s emissions trading and project-based mechanisms continue to be available to developed countries • Adaptation: • Establishment of Cancun Adaptation Framework to strengthen adaptation action in developing countries through international cooperation • Establishment of an Adaptation Committee providing technical support and guidance to countries, strengthening knowledge-sharing and promoting synergy between stakeholders Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Key Elements of 2010 Cancun Agreements (cont.) • Finance: • Formalization of commitment made by developed countries at COP 15 to mobilize USD 100 billion a year by 2020 • Increased transparency regarding fast-start finance for developing countries (USD 30 billion up to 2012) • Establishment of a Green Climate Fund to support projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing countries • Technology: • Establishment of a Technology Mechanism, including a Technology Executive Committee and a Climate Technology Centre and Network • Capacity Building: • Increased capacity-building support (strengthening relevant institutions, networks and climate change communication, education, training and public awareness at all levels) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Key Elements of 2011 Durban Agreements • New Durban Platform was launched to negotiate the long-term future of the regime • Kyoto Protocol was extended into the 2nd commitment period from 2013 for 5 or 8 years • Green Climate Fund launched for amount rising to USD 100 billion per year by 2020 (decided in 2012 that the fund will be based Songdo, Korea) • Process for GHG reduction targets and climate treaties to be prepared by 2015 and take effect in 2020 was agreed Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Key Elements of 2011 Durban Agreements (cont.) • Adaptation Committee was operationalized to help developing countries adapt to the impacts of climate change • Technology Mechanism was made “fully operational” with a decision covering the Technology Executive Committee, the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

Key Elements of 2012 COP18/CMP8 Road to Doha, Qatar • 4 key tasks to be completed by the December 2012 • Ambition and length of the second commitment period under the second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol • Agree on steps required to start a new treaty negotiation • Conclude negotiations under the 2007 Bali Action Plan • How to successfully conclude the review of the global 2 degrees goal (limit temperature increase to 2ºC), finance, technology and adaptation Territorial Approach to Climate Change - Phase 1

International Climate Change Policy Framework