Guidelines (17/CP.8) Survey Results

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Thematic Working Group 4

Possible Elements – Chapter VI: Constraints, gaps and related financial, technical and capacity needs

CGE Workshop to exchange views on possible elements to be considered in a future

revision of the UNFCCC Guidelines for the preparation of National Communications

from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention

St. Mary, Antigua and Barbuda, March 23 2011

• Guidelines (17/CP.8)

• Survey Results

• Comparison of initial and revised guidelines for the preparation of National Communications

• Background material for workshop – framing questions

Possible elements – Ch. VI

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Findings:• Over half of respondents found that it was “moderately“ to “very

difficult“ to complete this section of the national communication• The majority of respondents responded that it was “not at all“ to “slightly

difficult“ to understand or use the guidelines relating to this section

HOWEVER, some respondents stated that:

• Financing and gaps is such an overarching, extensive topic that it would be helpful if the guidelines were more specific as to how to present the information on this topic.


SURVEY

Paragraph 49: Non-Annex I Parties should, in accordance with national circumstances

and development priorities, describe any constraints and gaps, and related financial, technical and capacity needs, as well as proposed and/or implemented activities for overcoming the gaps and constraints, associated with the implementation of activities, measures and programmes envisaged under the Convention, and with the preparation and improvement of national communications on a continuous basis .


SUGGESTIONS FOR REVISING THE GUIDELINES

General Comments:• This paragraph contains too many elements and is somewhat unclear

and difficult to interpret

Possible revisions:• Split the ideas in the paragraph into two separate paragraphs• First part – constraints and gaps and related financial, technical and

capacity needs associated with the implementation of activities, measures and programmes

• Second part – constraints and gaps etc. associated with the preparation and improvement of national communications, continously


SUGGESTIONS – PARAGRAPH 49

Paragraph 50: Non-Annex I Parties should provide information on financial resources and

technical support for the preparation of their national communications provided by themselves, as well as those received from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Annex II Parties or bilateral and multilateral institutions.



General comments:• Currently, this information is reported in descriptive form and it is

difficult to extract the important financing elements• As well, there is no place for Parties to report the true costs of

preparing the national communication

Specific comments:• It could be useful to include a table or series of tables in which Parties

could indicate more precisely all financing sources and amounts• Another table outlining in-country contributions would also be useful

(e.g. Preparation costs, activity costs, data collection costs, etc.)


SUGGESTIONS FOR PARA. 50

Paragraph 51: Non-Annex I Parties should also provide information on financial resources

and technical support provided by themselves and by the GEF, Annex II Parties or bilateral or multilateral institutions, for activities relating to climate change.



General Comments:• Currently, this information is reported in descriptive form and it is

difficult to extract the important financing elements

Specific Comments:• Inclusion of a table or series of tables to better organize the information

and make it more user-friendly could be helpful• The table could provide examples of areas of activities to include


PARAGRAPH 51

Paragraph 52: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide, to the extend their

capacities permit, a list of projects proposed for financing, in accordance with Article 12, paragraph 4, of the Convention, in preparation for arranging the provision of technical and financial support.



General Comments:• To make this type of reporting more informative, added detail could be

helpful• The term “projects“ could be broadened

Specific Comments:• Provide a concise list of mitigation actions (includes, but is broader than

projects) in the main part of the communication with key information• Supplement the list with an Annex containing more detailed information,

in line with the areas provided in Article 12.4• i.e. Specific technologies, materials, equipment, techniques and

practices to implement; incremental costs; estimate of benefits


PARAGRAPH 52

General comments:• There is a noted lack of request for information on adaptation actions

proposed for financing

Specific comments:• To improve the balance of the Chapter it could be useful to add a new

paragraph for adaptation actions, similar to the request for the list of mitigation projects in paragraph 52


NEW PARAGRAPH – e.g. Para. 52bis

Paragraph 53: Non-Annex I Parties may include information on opportunities for the

implementation of adaptation measures, including pilot and/or demonstration adaptation projects, being undertaken or proposed. They may also provide information on barriers to the implementation of adaptation measures. They may include, as appropriate, information on how support programmes from Parties included in Annex II to the Convention are meeting their specific needs and concerns relating to vulnerability and adaptation to climate change.



General Comments:• This parapgraph is somewhat confusing as it mixes reporting concepts

Specific comments:• First sentence would be better placed in the adaptation section of the

national communication (because it is about measures and projects)• Clarify the meaning of “support programmes from Parties included in

Annex II“• The broader categories (bilateral, multilateral, GEF etc.) from

paragraph 50 would be helpful to improve clarity


PARAGRAPH 53

Paragraph 54: With regard to the development and transfer of technology, non-Annex I

Parties are encouraged to provide information on country-specific technology needs and assistance received from developed country Parties and the financial mechanism of the Convention and, as appropriate, on how they have utilized this assistance in support of the development and enhancement of enogenous capacities, technologies and know-how.



General Comments:• This paragraph mixes reporting concepts

Specific Comments:• Reporting on technology transfer needs would be better placed in

Chapter V – Other Information in the sub-section on technology transfer (para.42)

• Tabular format reporting for technology assistance could be helpful• Reporting elements emanating from the new Technology Mechanism

(established in 1/CP.16) will need to be considered


PARAGRAPH 54

Paragraph 55: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide information on other

relevant needs and/or areas for dcapacity-building other than those mentioned in paragraphs 45, 47, 48 and 50.



General Comments:• This reporting element is somewhat broad and unclear

Specific Comments:• This paragraph could be improved if it were focused on capacity

building needs and assistance (rather than other needs)


PARAGRAPH 55

A Restructuring of Chapter VI• Integrate – reporting on constrainst, gaps, needs and assistance for

mitigation, and adaptation sections would move to the corresponding main chapters• Mitigation – paras. 49, 52• Adaptation – paras. 49, 52bis, 53

• Create – new chapters on technology development and transfer, and capacity building and integrate reporting on constraints and gaps etc• Technology – paras. 42, 49, 54• Capacity – paras. 46, 49, 55


ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

Restructuring cont‘d• Chapter VI would now be dedicated to needs, constraints and gaps

relating to the preparation of the national communication • Would include: para.49, 50• New paragraph on institutional needs for continuous preparation of

national communications (relates to: 1/CP.16)• Inclusion of a summary Annex compiling all the information on funding

for activities (now reported in the main chapters) would be helpful


ALTERNATIVE APPROACH cont’d


CONCLUDING REMARKS

General Principles

Regardless of the approach taken there is a need to:•Consider the usefulness and purpose of the various reporting elements and tailor the guidelines accordingly•Reduce repetition•Improve clarity within the chapter and in relation to other chapters•Provide sufficient detail to guide reporting, yet keep the elements simple wherever possible•Consider the use of tables and annexes

Documents

Guidelines (17/CP.8) Survey Results