CLIMATE-L.ORG

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Reports on Technology Transfer under the Convention

25 March 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released three reports related to technology transfer under the Convention. The three notes by the Chair of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer contain advance reports on: the long-term perspective to facilitate the development, deployment, diffusion and transfer of technologies; financing options; and performance indicators.

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Australia’s and the Philippines’ Submissions on the Elements Contained in Paragraph 1 of the Bali Action Plan

 24 March 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a compilation document containing the submissions by parties on “Ideas and proposals on the elements contained in paragraph 1 of the Bali Action Plan” (FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/MISC.1/Add.2). This document is an addendum to previous submissions from parties contained in documents FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/MISC.1/ Add.1 and FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/MISC.1, and contains two further submissions from Australia on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries, and from the Philippines on Proposed Mitigation Actions.

UNECE’s 63rd Session to Address Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

March 2009: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) will hold its 63rd session from 30 March-1 April 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, and is scheduled to address economic development in the region, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

ILO Study Calls for Paving the Way to a Green Economy

March 2009: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released “The Financial and Economic Crisis: A Decent Work Response,” which examines current rescue efforts in 32 countries, including all members of the G20, and notes that demographic projections suggest that nearly 90 million net new jobs would be needed over 2009-2010 to absorb new entrants in the labor market and avoid a prolonged jobs gap. The study calls for enhanced cooperation among key international organizations and a reprioritization between these goals, to, inter alia: pave the way for a green economy; and enhance the Green Jobs agenda, considering that green technologies tend to be more job-rich than their carbon-intensive counterparts.

ASEM to Hold First Ministerial Conference on Energy Security

March 2009: The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), an informal process of dialogue and cooperation bringing together the 27 EU member States and the European Commission with 16 Asian countries and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat, is organizing the First ASEM Ministerial Conference on Energy Security, to be held from 17-18 June 2009, in Brussels, Belgium.

World Bank’s 2009 Development Marketplace Grant Competition Launched

23 March 2009: The World Bank has launched its annual Global Development Marketplace competition for seed grants. The 2009 competition focuses on three themes: climate adaptation and disaster risk management; climate risk management with multiple benefits; and resilience of indigenous peoples communities to climate risks. Proposals from civil society, governments, and the private sector are invited until 18 May 2009. An award pool of over US$5 million provided by the World Bank Group, the Global Environment Facility and other partners will support 20-25 projects. [The Development Marketplace Website] [World Bank Press Release]

Recommendations by the Commission of Experts of the UNGA President on Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System Address Nexus between Climate Change and the Economic Crisis

19 March 2009: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) President has transmitted the recommendations of the Commission of Experts of the President of the UNGA on Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System to UN member States. The recommendations will be addressed in an interactive thematic dialogue on “The World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development,” which will convene from 25-27 March 2009, at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

First GEF-5 Replenishment Meeting Convenes in Paris

18 March 2009: Thirty countries met in Paris, France, to discuss the fifth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-5), with several calling for a substantial increase in the replenishment of the GEF. The First Meeting of Contributing Participants towards GEF-5 gathered prospective donors from developed and developing countries from 17-18 March 2009, to consider, inter alia, innovative sources of funding, including the possibility of obtaining carbon credits for GEF projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

International Policy Dialogue Addresses the Development Perspective of Financing the Climate Agenda

23 March 2009: The International Policy Dialogue on “Financing the Climate Agenda: The Development Perspective” took place in Berlin, Germany, from 19-20 March 2009. The event was convened by the Development Policy Forum, InWEnt, Germany, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in cooperation with the UN Foundation and with the support of the KfW Banking Group. 

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases AWG-LCA Scenario Note

20 March 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released the scenario note (FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/2) for the upcoming fifth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA), which will be held in Bonn, Germany, from 29 March-8 April 2009. The note shares with delegations the plans and expectations of the Chair of the AWG-LCA for the session, focusing on the organization of work. [The Document]

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Stresses OPEC Members’ Role in Investing in Clean Sources of Energy

19 March 2009: Speaking at the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Counties’ (OPEC) Fourth International Seminar on Petroleum, organized around the theme “Petroleum: Future Stability and Sustainability,” which took place on 18-19 March 2009, in Vienna, Austria, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer underscored the importance of introducing climate-friendly technologies despite the fact that oil will remain a dominant source of energy in the near future.

Under-Secretary-General Highlights Water-Climate Links at World Water Forum

17 March 2009: UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang addressed several audiences at the fifth World Water Forum, which met from 16-22 March 2009, in Istanbul, Turkey. During the opening ceremony, he suggested “four strategic actions on bridging divides for water,” including engaging with other policy communities on the nexus between water challenges and climate change, accelerating progress in climate change adaptation, and improving human and institutional capacity backed by adequate financial resources.

UNEP Releases Policy Brief on Global Green New Deal in Advance of G20

19 March 2009: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released “Global Green New Deal: Policy Brief,” which aims to inform the debate at the upcoming G20 meeting to be held in London, UK, in early April 2009.

IEA Executive Director Emphasizes Investment in Low Carbon Technologies at OPEC Seminar

18 March 2009: Speaking at the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) International Seminar, which took place in Vienna, Austria, from 18-19 March 2009, under the theme “Petroleum: Future Stability and Sustainability,” Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA), outlined the IEA’s view on world energy markets, underscoring the present and future need for continuous and substantial investments with respect to both the traditional supply side and clean energy technologies.

WMO Releases Statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2008

18 March 2009: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published its annual Statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2008. The WMO Statement contains information for 2008 on global temperature, regional temperature anomalies, global precipitation, droughts, flooding and storms, La Niña, tropical cyclones, Antarctic ozone hole and Arctic sea ice extent, as well as an article on benefits for climate monitoring and assessment of data rescue activities.

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Two AWG-LCA Documents on the Fulfilment of the Bali Action Plan

17 March 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released two documents on the Fulfilment of the Bali Action Plan and components of the agreed outcome (FCCC/AWGLCA /2009/ 4 (Part I and II)) prepared by the Chair of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) in response to a request from the AWG-LCA at its fourth session. The documents are aimed at focusing the negotiating process on the fulfilment of decision 1/CP.13 (the Bali Action Plan) and on the components of the agreed outcome to be adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its 15th session, by describing areas of convergence in the ideas and proposals of parties, exploring options for dealing with areas of divergence, and identifying gaps that might need to be filled by building upon the ideas and proposals of parties.

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Note by AWG-LCA4 Chair Containing Summary of Views

17 March 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a note by the Chair of the fourth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA4), which was held in Poznan, Poland, from 1-10 December 2008. During that session, parties considered all the elements of the Bali Action Plan. The note contains a summary of the views expressed in that session, with sections on: a shared vision for long-term cooperative action; enhanced action on mitigation and its associated means of implementation; enhanced action on adaptation and its associated  means of implementation; and delivering on technology and financing, including
consideration of institutional arrangements. [The Note]

UNFCCC Executive Secretary: Copenhagen Offers “Window of Opportunity” We Cannot Afford to Miss

17 March 2009: Speaking at “Carbon Market Insights 2009,” which is taking place from 17-19 March 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Yvo de Boer, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, noted that, although carbon prices are projected to decrease in 2009 due to the financial crisis, the carbon market has not collapsed. He added that its future depends on “the level of ambition of industrialized countries.” Recognizing that the Poznan Climate Change Conference of December 2008 had not been marked by any major political outcomes, he noted that it made progress in a number of specific areas of work, including the operationalization of the Adaptation Fund, the streamlining and speeding up of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and the full endorsement of an intensified negotiating schedule for 2009.

EBRD Publishes Green Investment Scheme Manual and Model Agreement

March 2009: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with financing from the Government of the Netherlands, has published a Green Investment Scheme (GIS) Manual and Model Agreement. A GIS transaction is a sale and purchase of Assigned Amount Units (AAUs), whereby the AAUs are transferred in accordance with Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol and the proceeds from such trade are used to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or support other activities beneficial to the environment. [EBRD Climate Website] [GIS Model Agreement] [GIA Manual]

FAO Launches State of the World’s Forests 2009 Report

16 March 2009: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched the State of the World’s Forests 2009. The report was released on the first day of the 19th session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO), which is taking place from 16-20 March 2009, in Rome, Italy. The report notes that the economic crisis and climate change raise the profile of forest management on the global agenda, as demand for products and environmental services is expected to increase in the coming decades.

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Information for Participants to Bonn March/April Meetings

16 March 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released an information document for participants attending the upcoming seventh session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP7) and the fifth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA5), which will be held from 29 March-8 April 2009, in Bonn, Germany. The note contains sections on, inter alia: registration; general information; documents; meeting rooms; observer organizations; maps; information on climate change; services to participants; computers and photocopiers; banking; catering; emergencies; social events; and consulates and embassies in Bonn. [The Note]

UNESCO Meeting Formulates Recommendations on Confronting Climate Change in the Arctic

13 March 2009: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held an international experts meeting on “Climate Change and Arctic Sustainable Development: scientific, social, cultural and educational challenges,” which convened from 3-6 March 2009, in Monaco. The meeting brought together experts in the social and natural sciences, ethics, education and international affairs who sought the local expertise of indigenous peoples in drafting a set of 66 recommendations for follow-up action.

UN Secretary-General Calls on Wealthy Nations to Adopt “Green” Stimulus Packages

13 March 2009: On the occasion of the 31st annual Lions Day at the UN, celebrated in New York, US, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon explained that he will attend the G20 Summit in April in London, UK, where he would remind leaders of the developed world of the need to fulfill their promises to the most vulnerable people and for their stimulus packages to be “green” in order to help combat climate change by including investments in clean energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Calls for “Climate-Proofing” the MDGs

11 March 2009: In a speech titled “Navigating the Shifting Sands of Globalization,” delivered at a conference convened jointly by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, in Dar es Salaam, UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro underlined the need to acknowledge the gravity of the current challenges facing Africa, including climate change and the food and energy crises. She indicated that, at the G20 Summit in April in London, UK, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon would argue that the economic crisis provides an opportunity to put in place a “green new deal,” including by adopting measures to “climate-proof” the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and reaching an agreement at the climate change conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. [UN Press Release]

ECLAC Presents Climate Change Reports

10 March 2009: The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has launched a report titled “Climate Change and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Review.” The report was released during a seminar on “Climate Change: The Challenges for Growth in Chile and Latin America,” which took place on 11 March 2009, in Santiago, Chile. The report concludes that Latin America and the Caribbean may suffer more impacts of climate change than other regions because of the number of island States present in the region, low coastal areas and prevalence of hurricanes. Considering greenhouse gas emissions in the region are relatively low (11.7% of global emissions in 2000) the authors recommend authorities to focus on adaptation.

UN Secretary-General and US President Stress Need for Agreement on Climate Change

10 March 2009: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held a meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington, DC, US, during which they welcomed strong US-UN cooperation and strongly emphasized the need for an international agreement on climate change, both for environmental protection and to unlock investment for green economic recovery. They committed to pursue this objective by the end of the year at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Ban reiterated that climate change is “an issue of our era,” and called for the US’ strong commitment and leadership. [UN Press Release] [Press Conference Transcript]

Report on Arctic Ocean Observing System 2008 Released

March 2009: A report of the integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System (iAOOS) for 2008 has been prepared by the Arctic Ocean Sciences Board, one of the two supporting organizations of the system. The iAOOS is also supported by the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), which is co-sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The focus of iAOOS is on Arctic change, including the fate of perennial sea ice and the climatic and social effects of its disappearance. The system was used as a framework to achieve optimal coordination of projects during the International Polar Year 2007-2008, an initiative co-organized by the WMO and the International Council for Science. The iAOOS report provides a concise account of the activities of the flagship projects during 2008 together with a summary description of additional work planned in 2009. [The iAOOS Report]

GEF Releases Review of its Work on Sustainable Forest Management

March 2009: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has published a report titled “A New Climate for Forests: GEF Action on Sustainable Forest Management.” This report reviews: the GEF’s work on sustainable forest management (SFM); projects and programmes related to SFM in the GEF’s current portfolio; and potential roles for promotion of SMF through the GEF in the post-2012 climate regime. [The Report]

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Agendas for June Meeting

9 March 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released the provisional annotated agendas for the 30th sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) (FCCC/SBSTA/2009/1) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) (FCCC/SBI/2009/1), which will convene from 1-12 June 2009, in Bonn, Germany.

World Bank Meeting Considers Design of Forest Investment Program

6 March 2009: The second design meeting for the World Bank’s Forest Investment Program (FIP), a part of its Climate Investment Framework (CIF), took place on 5-6 March 2009, in Washington DC, US. The FIP’s main objective is to pilot and demonstrate new approaches to forest management that lead to major impacts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from forests. Among the issues discussed were the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, and the establishment of a Sub-Committee for the FIP to oversee the operations and activities of the Pilot Program. [World Bank CIF Website]

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Recaps Meetings with US Officials

6 March 2009: Speaking at the noon press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, US, Yvo de Boer reported on his recent meetings with high-level US officials in Washington, DC, US. The Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC said he had been “very encouraged” by his meetings with representatives of both Houses of Congress on the prospects for the passage of climate change legislation, as well as with senior Cabinet members. He pointed to Congress’ support to set up a US cap-and-trade scheme and to provide financial support to developing countries to make the transition to a low-carbon pathway.

IDB and Nicholas Stern Present Country Studies on Climate Impact

5 March 2009: Lord Nicholas Stern and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted a seminar on “Development in a More Hostile Climate” during which country-level studies of the economic impact of climate change in Brazil, Mexico and South East Asia were presented. The meeting included discussions on the opportunities for reducing long-term impacts through investing in clean energy, the threats to development posed by climate change, strategies for overcoming risks and the role of partnerships and multilateral institutions in responding to climate investment challenges faced by developing countries. The event was complementary to a symposium titled “US Climate Action: A Global Economic Perspective,” organized by Lord Stern and the World Resources Institute. [IDB Press Release]

World Bank Group Supports Renewable Energy Projects in Chile and Armenia

February 2009: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is financing the construction of the Totoral Wind Farm, Chile’s first-ever project-financed wind farm. In related news, the World Bank’s Vice President for Europe and Central Asia approved a grant of US$1.5 million for the Armenia Geothermal Energy Development project funded under the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Geothermal Energy Development Program (GeoFund).

UNFCCC Expert Group on Technology Transfer Finalizes Reports

March 2009: At a special meeting held in Bonn, Germany, from 24-26 February, the Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) discussed and finalized three advanced reports on: performance indicators for technology development and transfer; identification and analysis of existing and new financing resources and relevant vehicles for the development and transfer of technologies; and long-term strategy to support the development and transfer of technologies.

UNFCCC Releases March 2009 Newsletter

3 March 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released its first newsletter for 2009. The publication contains a focus section on the Poznań Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer and contains: information and upcoming activities related to each of the Bali Roadmap building blocks (mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology); summaries of key UNFCCC statements; a guest column titled “Putting Energy into a Global Agreement,” authored by Björn Stigson, WBCSD President; and other UN climate news. [The Newsletter]

EU Environment Ministers Adopt Conclusions on a Comprehensive Post-2012 Climate Agreement

3 March 2009: The first Environment Council of the EU under the Czech Presidency took place on 2 March 2009, in Brussels, Belgium. The Council adopted conclusions further developing the EU position on a comprehensive post-2012 climate change agreement, which is due to be concluded at the UN climate change conference in December in Copenhagen. 

IDB Announces Energy Innovation Contest

27 February 2009: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has announced a contest to finance proposals for promoting energy efficiency and access to renewable energy in Latin America and the Caribbean.

UNEP’s Carbon Finance Initiative Proceeds

27 February 2009: Carbon Finance for Agriculture, Silviculture, Conservation and Action against Deforestation (CASCADe), which is coordinated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP Risø Centre in partnership with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development and the French National Forestry Office, recently selected four projects to move forward, pending formal approval of their Project Idea Notes.

World Bank Co-Organizing MENA Carbon Forum

March 2009: The World Bank, in collaboration with the French Agency for Development, the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Initiative and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, is organizing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Carbon Forum, scheduled to convene from 6-7 May 2009, in Cairo, Egypt.

Adaptation Fund Board to Convene in March

March 2009: The Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) will convene for its fifth meeting from 24-27 March 2009, in Bonn, Germany.

UNECE to Organize Conference on Water and Climate Change Adaptation

March 2009: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), together with the European Water Partnership, the Dutch Ministry for Transport and Public Works, the World Water Council and the Cooperative Programme on Water and Climate, is organizing a Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Water, which will take place from 12-13 March 2009, in Brussels, Belgium.

UN-HABITAT Hosts Meeting of African Mayors on Climate

27 February 2009: UN-HABITAT hosted the Regional Conference of Mayors of Capital Cities of Africa from 26-27 February 2009, in Nairobi, Kenya. Focusing on African cities and climate change, the conference included discussions on: sea-level rise in coastal cities; flooding; regional collaboration; access to basic services; finance; and additional urban problems that can inhibit adaptation. Participants stressed that, despite their relatively small contribution to the causes of climate change, African cities are suffering severely from this phenomenon. [UNEP Press Release]

ECA Partnership Forum Stresses Importance of Forging Africa’s Common Position on Climate Change

27 February 2009: The annual Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Partnership Forum, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2009, offered the ECA and its development partners the opportunity to exchange views and provide an update on ongoing initiatives, as well as to showcase new ones. This year’s discussion was dominated by the African climate change initiative, a programme initiated in 2006 and led by the Climate Information for Development in Africa (ClimDev Africa) programme – a joint partnership between the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and the ECA.

UN Secretary-General in Tanzania: No Region Will be More Affected by Climate Change Than Africa

26 February 2009: In a lecture titled “Dealing with a Changing World - African Solutions to Africa’s Challenges,” delivered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underlined that Africa will be particularly affected by climate change. He also recalled that he had declared 2009 the year of climate change, both because of the Copenhagen Conference in December and because of the need for a global green new deal to address the economic crisis. 

UN Secretary-General Calls on South Africa to Show Leadership on Climate Change

25 February 2009: During his meeting with South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, in Pretoria, South Africa, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon indicated that his trip to Africa was aimed at reaching out to countries that have a potential leadership role in confronting global challenges, including climate change.

IEA Executive Director Calls for a “Clean Energy New Deal”

23 February 2009: In a speech delivered at the “Global Korea 2009 - Korea in a Reshaping World” conference, International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka stressed the importance of investment for energy supply and clean energy technologies, and international cooperation for energy efficiency and clean energy technology diffusion.

GEF Approves US$46 Million in Grants for Climate-Related Projects

February: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council has approved an intersessional work programme, including climate change projects amounting to US$47.46 million. Climate projects approved include several energy efficiency projects in China, India, Turkey and the Russian Federation, as well as a sustainable transport project in Pakistan. The energy efficiency projects target energy efficiency in commercial buildings, the railway system, small and medium-sized enterprises and industry. [GEF Intersessional Working Programmes]

World Bank Supports Carbon Expo 2009

February 2009: Carbon Expo 2009 will be held from 27-29 May 2009 in Barcelona, Spain, with the support of the World Bank and the International Emissions Trading Association. The Trade Fair and Congress will showcase carbon abatement solutions and new technologies, and discuss the future of carbon markets. [Carbon Expo 2009]

UNEP GC25/GMEF Takes Decisions on Climate, International Environmental Governance and Mercury

23 February 2009: Delegates to the 25th Session of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC25/GMEF), which met from 16-20 February 2009, in Nairobi, Kenya, took 17 decisions including on international environmental governance, a significantly increased UNEP budget, support to Africa on climate change, and mercury. In the decision on support to Africa, the GC requests the UNEP Executive Director to work with the UN Economic Commission for Africa to provide technical support to the African Climate Policy Centre once established, and to promote the mainstreaming of climate change into social and economic development processes. On coordination within the UN, the GC welcomes the Executive Director’s efforts as chair of the UN Environment Management Group, including in promoting the UN’s commitment in moving towards climate neutrality. In addition, the GC approved funding to support climate change activities.

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Provisional Annotated Agenda for AWG-LCA5

February 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released the provisional annotated agenda for the fifth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA5), which will take place from 29 March-8 April 2009, in Bonn, Germany (FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/1).