Side Event at the 30th Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Bodies (SB30)
-Mainstreaming climate change concerns into development-
On June 1, 2009, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan and the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC) jointly organized the side event “Mainstreaming climate change concerns into development” at the 30th Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Subsidiary Bodies.
The side event focused on mainstreaming climate change concerns into development. Along with introducing climate change initiatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a Japanese organization which provides development assistance, there was a presentation on the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory support activities for developing countries being implemented by Japan which are based on the effectiveness of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories in the formation and implementation of measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV) mitigation measures and actions. The importance of a co-benefit approach and the sharing of past experiences and future challenges in the formation and implementation of measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV) nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) in each developing country was recognized.
Time and Date
Venue
Speakers
[Chair]
- Taka Hiraishi, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
[Speakers]
- Tomonori Sudo, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- Yukihiro Nojiri, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES)
- Yulia Suryanti, Ministry of the Environment, Indonesia
- Kotaro Kawamata, Ministry of the Environment, Japan
- Makoto Kato, Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC)
Program
- Chair’s Guidance
(Taka Hiraishi, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)) - Assessment of Development Plan in Developing Countries in terms of GHG Emission Reduction
(Makoto Kato, OECC) - Japan’s Technical Cooperation and Financial Support –Hints for Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA)
(Tomonori Sudo, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)) - Measurable, Reportable and Verifiable (MRV) Mitigation Measures and Actions in GHG Inventory
(Yukihiro Nojiri, National Institute for Environmental Studies) - From a Developing Country’s Perspective
(Yulia Suryanti, Ministry of the Environment, Indonesia) - Conclusion
(Kotaro Kawamata, Ministry of the Environment) - Question and Answer Session
meeting photograph
Discussion Points
- Chair’s Guidance
Taka Hiraishi, Senior Consultant, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Presentation(PDF) - Assessment of Development Plan in Developing Countries in terms of GHG Emission Reduction
Makoto Kato, Chief Researcher, Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC)
Presentation(PDF)In the Long-term Cooperative Action (LCA) negotiation text, a variety of possible modalities for NAMAs such as sustainable development policies / measures, and low emission development strategies / plans are presented. Additionally “co-benefits” is being positioned as the approach for encouraging and expanding NAMAs in developing countries.
The co-benefits approach is believed to contribute greatly to the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) that development demands, and is the focal point of measures and projects for environmental improvement (pollutant control) and GHG reduction—developmental needs of developing countries—being simultaneously implemented by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan.
Concerning the co-benefits approach which promotes initiatives contributing to both climate change and environmental pollutant control measures, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan is implementing tangible support measures which include: 1) co-benefits CDM model projects (subsidized projects), 2) the development of a quantified co-benefits evaluation methods manual and 3) bilateral co-benefit cooperation and initiatives. In the area of bilateral cooperation (3), by way of a Japan – China joint project, cooperative research is being conducted on the quantitative assessment of GHG reduction results achieved through the implementation of a city-level environmental pollutant control plan.
For the realization of tangible co-benefits climate change mitigation measures and/or projects, it is recognized that along with the development and improvement of quantitative and qualitative tools for assessing co-benefits, technology research and development and the creation of a co-benefits technology map are also necessary. It is beneficial to create some kind of platform in order to effectively form and implement NAMAs in developing countries.
- Japan’s Technical Cooperation and Financial Support –Hints for Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions- (NAMA)
Tomonori Sudo, Climate Change Office, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Presentation(PDF)In October of 2008, JICA was reborn as an agency charged with the integrated operation of three mechanisms: Grant Aid, Technical Cooperation, and ODA Loans. Exemplifying climate change policy initiatives of the new JICA are the mitigation and adaptation measures being actively worked on within the framework of the “Cool Earth Partnership” finance mechanism.
In aiming for the development of a low-carbon society, the inclusion of climate change initiatives (both mitigating and adaptation) is essential when working to overcome traditional development challenges (poverty reduction, etc).
In other words, it is important to recognize climate change benefits as developmental co-benefits, and integrate climate change considerations into the development assistance activities (financial aid and technical cooperation) being implemented by aid agencies on a variety of levels.
There are a number of CDM projects exemplifying the tangible climate change initiatives being formed and undertaken by JICA such as the development of a master plan for geothermal power plants in Indonesia, and grant aid for environmental program in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.
For JICA, though “development” is the most prioritized mandate, policies and measures related to climate change are closely linked to the development measures in each country, and climate change mitigation and adaptation are also becoming major co-benefits of JICA’s development assistance activities.
- Measurable, Reportable and Verifiable (MRV) Mitigation Measures and Actions in GHG Inventory
Yukihiro Nojiri, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES)
Presentation(PDF)Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories are created based on each individual country’s policies and programs and are essential for monitoring the effects of mitigation policies and measures. Accordingly, the utilization of GHG inventories is beneficial in the implementation of measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV) nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs).
In order to formulate GHG inventories, Japan has held workshops, carried out sector specific and region specific initiatives, and provided assistance to developing countries in Asia.
For the purpose of formulating and implementing measurable, reportable and verifiable NAMAs, the need to improve the existing inventory mechanisms for developing countries is recognized, and in addition to the capacity building support that has been implemented to date for developing countries in Asia, initiatives for improving the GHG inventory mechanism are planned.
- From a Developing Country’s Perspective
Yulia Suryanti, Ministry of the Environment, Indonesia - Conclusion
Kotaro Kawamata, Office of International Strategy on Climate Change, Climate Change Policy Division, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment
Presentation(PDF)Existing plans in the development and environmental protection programs of developing countries include mitigation aspects, and it is effective to utilize these existing plans when quickly formulating country specific mitigation measures for developing countries.
From both development and mitigation perspectives, it is necessary to formulate NAMAs for realizing sustainable development in developing countries, and the benefits of both the development and the mitigation must be measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV).
Though MRV may be a new and complex concept, by utilizing existing mechanisms such as GHG inventories it is possible to secure the MRV of NAMA formation and implementation.
It is possible for Japan to provide technical and financial support for the formation and implementation of NAMAs and their MRV realization, an example of the this is capacity building related to GHG inventories.
Rapid action is sought for the formation and implementation of NAMAs. Existing plans should be utilized, and in those plans it is important that each country formulates mitigation action plans that incorporate climate change concerns.
It is feasible that MRV could improve the GHG inventory mechanism, and support should be promoted for developing countries seeking such improvement.