Latest development in the UNFCCC process & possible synergies between UNFCCC and WHC

1. Latest development in the UNFCCC process & possible synergies between UNFCCC and WHC Rocio Lichte Programme Officer UNFCCC secretariat Working Group Meeting World Heritage and Climate Change, Paris 5-6 February 2007

2. New evidence of climate change IPCC Fourth Assessment report (WG1) SPM , Paris, February 2, 2007 • Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global mean sea level, including • mountain glaciers & snow cover declined • Losses in ice sheets of Greenland & Antartica • Global average sea level rose (faster over 1993-2003) • Permafrost top layer:increase in temperature • Drying at Sahel and Mediterranean • More intense droughts • Frequency of precipitation events increased • Increase in tropical cyclone activity ….

3. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – some key elements relevant to WHC concerns • Objective • achieve stabilization of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere ..to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system..within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change • General approach • Mitigation: Actions to control, reduce or or prevent GHG emissions, hence reduce climate change • Limiting or reducing GHG emissions by sources • Preserving and enhancing sinks and reservoirs of GHGs • Adaptation: Actions to help countries and ecosystems to cope with the conditions of a changing climate, moderate harm of climate change • Parties to cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change (integrated plans for coastal zone management, water resources & agriculture, protection and rehabilitation of areas, integrating climate change risks into development planning etc..)

4. UNFCCC key elements MITIGATION • Measures to reduce GHGs in relevant sectors: energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry, waste management • Series of workshops on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of mitigation (May 2006 – Dec 2007under SBSTA) to exchange information & experience on practical opportunities to facilitate implementation of the Convention • Kyoto Protocol (KP): • Overall emission reduction by 5 per cent (between 2008-2012 by Annex I Parties) • Legally binding reduction targets for industrialized countries that are Parties to the KP • Provides for flexible mechanisms to lower the overall costs of achieving reduction targets & contribute to sustainable development in developing countries • Stringent process of reporting and review

5. UNFCCC key elementsAdaptation – an evolving focus Increased attention and priority in recent years: 2001 (COP7) • Identification of 18 areas of assistance on adaptation (5/CP.7) • 3 new funds • Process of development of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) in LDCs • 2002 (COP 8) • Delhi Ministerial Declaration – adaptation is important for all Parties. • 2004: Buenos Aires Programme of Work on Adaptation and Response Measures (Decision 1/CP.10) : • Request to develop SBSTA 5 year programme of work • 5 Regional workshops reflecting national priorities • 2005 Montreal (COP 11) and 2006 Nairobi (COP 12): Adoption of SBSTA five-year programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change • Nairobi work programme

6. Nairobi work programme • Objectiveis to assist Parties (in particular developing countries, including LDCs and SIDS) to: • To improve their understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, • To make informed decisions on practical adaptation actions & measures • Expected outcomes • Enhanced capacity at all levels to further understand V&A and to select effective and high priority adaptation actions • Enhanced knowledge on practical adaptation activities; • Improved information and advice to the COP • Enhanced cooperation among Parties, relevant organizations, business, civil society, and decision makers • Enhanced integration of adaptation with sustainable development

7. Nairobi Work Programme Areas of work • Methods and tools • Data and observations • Climate modeling and downscaling • Climate related risks and extreme events • Socio-economic information • Adaptation planning and practices • Research & technologies for adaptation • Economic diversification

8. Nairobi Work Programme Expectations and challenges • Explicit recognition of the importance & needs for actions to enhance the technical & methodological basis for adaptation, and for fostering and cooperation and joint work; • will promote implementation of practical adaptation actions on a more sound basis, including mainstreaming of adaptation with national development plans • The NWP is planned to engage a broad range of organizations in its implementation in a structured way, including undertaking of their own activities & stimulate activities on adaptation at different levels

9. Nairobi Work ProgrammeInvolvement of relevant organizations in its implementation Participation of organizations,institutions etc is a key element in the implementation of the NWP: • Relevant organizations are invited to take part in the activities of the NWP, use the the NWP, its activities & outcomes to help incorporate adaptation into their own activities • Several organizations/entities have expressed willingness to contribute to the NWP and have provided concept papers or plans on how they intend to participate in the NWP. • The UNFCCC secretariat will also engage a wide range of organizations in the implementation of the NWP around each of its main activities (workshops, expert meetings, submissions).

10. Nairobi Work ProgrammePossible ways to participate • Use the main areas of work the NWP to help choose the most useful activities for increasing adaptation in relation to the work & priorities of your organization • make use of the outputs of the NWP, e.g. as source of information, when agreeing on the direction of future work; • Contribute to the UNFCCC secretariat’s activities by submitting relevant information under the main areas of work; • Promote / fund research that supports the objectives of the work programme.

11. Nairobi Work ProgrammePossible ways to participate (cont.) Possible first steps (examples): Climate related risks and extreme events – submit views & information on experiences, abilities, gaps, needs, constraints • by 23 February 2007 Adaptation planning and practices: Structured submissions on adaptation approaches, strategies, practices and technologies for adaptation at the regional, national and local levels in different sectors, experiences, needs and concerns. • by 15 May 2007 (UNFCCC Parties & relevant organizations; submissions to UNFCCC secretariat)

12. Other on-going processes, activities and products related to adaptation under the UNFCCC - Compendium on methods & tools to evaluate impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change • provides information about existing methodologies and toolkits for assessment and planning for adaptation and ways to obtaining them • Reporting on expected impacts of climate change and related adaptation activities in the National communications (following agreed guidelines) • Development of NAPAs in least developed countries • Regional workshops to be completed by May 2007 – next steps to be identified in May

13. Possible ways for cooperation and synergies between UNFCCC and WHC At national level • Liaison and coordination with climate change NFPs on climate change activities that are of interest to WHC • Use of reporting channels under the UNFCCC (National communications, NAPAs for LDCs) to raise awareness of the concerns of WHC vis-à-vis the impacts of climate change • Use of existing products, guidelines etc might facilitate integration of WHC concern into the broad climate change context • Make use of high attention given to adaptation in the context of the NWP to foster adaptation activities on the ground (national & local level) …

14. Possible ways for cooperation and synergies between UNFCCC and WHC At international level: • Sharing of relevant information through secretariats • Participation in UNFCCC process (e.g. side events to raise awareness & information sharing) • Active participation in & contribution to the NWP – identify objectives/main areas of work within WHC that are synergetic with those of the NWP • E.g. by a) participating in specific activities (submission, papers, workshops) b) MOST IMPORTANT – raising awareness and altering work in response to attaining the goals and outcomes of the NWP. …

15. THANK YOU United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Bonn, Germany (E-mail: rlichte@unfccc.int) All information referred to in this presentation is available at www.unfccc.int