Enhancing co-operation and promoting synergies among the Rio Conventions

1. Enhancing co-operation and promoting synergies among the Rio Conventions Montreal, 24 November 2005 Linda Siegele FIELD

2. The Rio Conventions UNFCCC (climate change) CBD (biodiversity) UNCCD (combating desertification)

3. Overview • WHY? - Rationale for co-operation • WHAT? - The nature of inter-linkages between the Conventions • WHO? - Levels at which co-operation takes place • HOW? - Managing co-operation • WHERE? - Way forward • Overarching question – WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO A CC NEGOTIATOR?

4. WHY co-operate and promote synergies among the Conventions? • The natural world covered by these Conventions is interlinked • Common objective – sustainable development of world resources • Linked approaches • Avoid duplication & conflict • Share lessons learned • Fill knowledge & research gaps

5. WHAT are the inter-linkages? • Cross-cutting themes relevant to the Conventions: • Capacity-building • Technology transfer • Research and monitoring • Information exchange and outreach • Reporting (promote complementarity) • Financial resources • GEF funds NCSAs for the 3 Conventions • GEF to fund climate change adaptation projects

6. WHAT are the inter-linkages? (2) • Impact of climate change on biodiversity: • Role of biodiversity in implementing UNFCCC and Kyoto protocol • LULUCF • CDM • Adaptation • Kyoto Protocol (art. 2.1(a)(ii)) • Annex I Parties to implement policies and measures to protect GHG sinks & reservoirs ‘taking account of their commitment under relevant IEAs’

7. WHAT are the inter-linkages? (3) • CBD technical report (October 2003): • Inter-linkages biodiversity/climate change • Advice on integrating biodiversity considerations in implementation of UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol • Observed and projected impacts • Mitigation and adaptation options • Approaches for supporting planning, decision-making and public discussions • Lessons learned from case-studies – harmonising mitigation and adaptation activities with biodiversity issues

8. WHAT are the inter-linkages? (4) • CBD AHTEG on Biodiversity & Climate Change: • SBSTTA tasks AHTEG to address adaptation to climate change – February 2005 • Assess integration of biodiversity considerations in implementation of adaptation activities • Advise on activities to address adaptation to climate change • AHTEG meets in Helsinki, September 2005 • Report of meeting and recommendations for further work to be presented at SBSTTA-11, Montreal, Nov-Dec 2005

9. WHO should co-operating? • International • Co-ordination among convention bodies • National • Collaboration among national focal points is key • Regional • Reinforce and support the national perspective

10. HOW has this been managed so far? • FCCC/SBSTA/2001/2, para. 42(d) • SBSTA endorses the creation of the Joint Liaison Group (JLG) • UNFCCC Decision 13/CP.8 (2002) • Affirms the need for enhanced co-operation • Requests the SBSTA (UNFCCC) to work with the SBSTTA (CBD), and CST (UNCCD)

11. HOW has this been managed so far? (2) • Rio Conventions ask JLG to explore options for further co-operation • January 2004 – 5th JLG meeting – secretariats agree to prepare joint paper • JLG paper (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/INF.19) presented at COP-10/SBSTA-21 • October 2005 JLG approves paper • SBSTA-23 to receive finalised paper for comment

12. WHERE does the JLG paper lead? • Options and modalities for further collaboration between the Conventions: • Collaboration among National Focal Points • Collaboration of Secretariats and Convention bodies • Co-operation on climate change impacts, adaptation, mitigation, land degradation and sustainable use of biodiversity

13. WHERE does the JLG paper lead? (2) • Tools for enhancing collaboration: • Wider use of ecosystem approach • Training and capacity-building • Case-studies on inter-linkages between mitigation/adaptation activities and biodiversity conservation and sustainable use • Pilot projects promoting synergies at nat’l level • Methodologies and tools that cut across Conventions

14. WHERE is co-operation discussed on the COP11/MOP 1/SB agendas? • SBSTA-23 Item 11(b) Co-operation with other conventions, scientific organizations and United Nations bodies • SBSTA Parties will be asked to prepare comments on JLG paper by SBSTA-24 • SBI-23 Item 10(b) Matters relating to least developed countries • Paper on Synergy among MEA’s in the context of NAPAs (FCCC/TP/2005/3)

15. WHERE do we go from here? - CHALLENGES • Co-ordination is resource intensive • Conventions have individual legal status with • Competing mandates • Priorities • Political interest • Capacity • Existing knowledge gaps require further analysis

16. WHAT RELEVANCE TO ME? • An ongoing issue for future negotiations • Co-operation at the national/local level brings tangible benefits and you have access • As national focal points or w/access to them • Promote co-operation that is needed at the COP/MOP/SB • Take the message back to your and the other Convention national focal points

17. PRACTICAL OPPORTUNITY INFORMAL JOINT MEETING & RECEPTION OF SBSTA-23 & SBSTTA-11 30 November 2005, 7:30 PM International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), 999 University (corner of St Antoine) Hosted by Environment Canada