UNFCCC Workshop on the preparation of national communications from

non-Annex I Parties

General description of steps taken or envisaged by non-Annex I Parties to implement the Convention

26-30 April 2004

Manila, The Philippines

Graham Sem Programme Officer

Non-Annex I ImplementationUNFCCC secretariat

gsem@unfccc.int

General description of steps taken or envisaged to implement the

Convention

A. General

B. Measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change(a) Steps taken or envisaged to adapt to climate change(b) Vulnerability of and adaptation to climate change

1. Methodological approaches(a) Methodologies and guidelines(b) Evaluation of adaptation strategies and measures

2. Reporting(a) Scope of the assessment(b) Description of approaches, methods and tools(c) Key findings and integrating effects(d) Adaptation strategies and measures(e) Frameworks for adaptation

C. Reference material and sources of information

A. General

Paragraph 25: Each non-Annex I Party shall, in accordance with Article 12, paragraph 1 (b), communicate to the COP a general description of steps taken or envisaged by the Party to implement the Convention, taking into account its common but differentiated responsibilities and its specific national and regional development priorities, objectives and circumstances.

Paragraph 26: Non-Annex I Parties may provide information on programmes containing measures to mitigate climate change by addressing anthropogenic emission by sources and removals by sinks of all greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, and measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change, following the provisions in these guidelines.

Paragraph 27: Taking into account Article 4, paragraph 7, and, as appropriate, Article 4, paragraphs 3 and 5, of the Convention, the extent to which developing country Parties will effectively implement their commitment to communicate this information will depend on the effective implementation by the developed country Parties of their commitments under the Convention relating to financial resources and transfer of technology.

B. Measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change

Steps taken or envisaged by Parties (a)

Paragraph 28: Non-Annex I Parties shall, in accordance with Article 12, paragraph 1(b) and (c), of the Convention, provide to the COP information on

the general steps taken or envisaged towards formulating, implementing, publishing and regularly updating national and, where appropriate, regional

programmes containing measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change, and any other information they consider relevant to the

achievement of the objective of the Convention and suitable for inclusion in their communications.

Description of national/regional activities, measures and programmes undertaken or planned to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change

Requirements of the UNFCCC and importance vulnerability and adaptation to climate change and how Article 4.8 and 4.9 are implemented (link to national circumstances), and vulnerable human systems/sectors or areas (brief)

Use of IPCC guidelines, national adaptation programmes of action, adaptation policy framework, case studies, other approaches, etc

Key sets of baseline conditions and their linkages: climate-related disaster effects and response capabilities, population, food security, agriculture, water resources, financial services, insurance/risk, etc.

Text boxes, arrow diagrams, charts, etc to show key conditions and their linkages

Vulnerability and adaptation (b)

Paragraph 29: Non-Annex I Parties should provide information on their vulnerability to the adverse effects of

climate change, and on adaptation measures being undertaken to meet their specific needs and concerns arising from these

adverse effects.

Outline climatic, environmental and socio-economic conditions in the country including strengths and weaknesses of the baseline conditions

V&A assessment as part of a national climate change response strategy – specific needs and concerns and priorities with respect to adapting to current climate variability and future climate change

A synthesis of the current state of knowledge – V&A as an ongoing process

Information to include: vulnerability to climate variability and climate change in critical human systems, sectors, difficulties/barriers to adaptation in critical areas/sectors, and opportunities and priorities for adaptation.

A matrix of vulnerabilities, potential impacts and adaptation options

1. Methodological approaches

Methodologies and guidelines (a)

Paragraph 30: Non-annex I Parties may use appropriatemethodologies and guidelines they consider better able to

reflect their national situation for assessing their vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, provided that

these methodologies and guidelines are consistent, transparent and well documented.

IPCC technical guidelines for assessing climate change impacts and adaptations

Handbook on Methods for Climate Change Impact Assessment and Adaptation Strategies

Handbook on Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments

National/regional methodologies and guidelines

Evaluation of adaptation strategies and measures (b)

Paragraph 31: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to use, for the evaluation of adaptation strategies and measures,

appropriate methodologies they consider better able to reflect their national situation, provided that these methodologies are

consistent, transparent and well documented

Evaluation and prioritization is subject to social, economic and political feasibility and/or cultural acceptance

Qualitative, predictive and process-based models, empirical studies, expert judgment, decision support tools, etc

UNFCCC Compendium of decision tools for to evaluate strategies for adaptation to climate change

Adaptation policy frameworks, NAPAs, etc

2. Reporting

Scope of V&A assessment (a)

Paragraph 32: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide information on the scope of their vulnerability and adaptation assessment, including identification

of vulnerable areas that are most critical

Purpose and organization of assessment work

Participation of stakeholders

Sectors identified and studied

Methods/approaches used, spatial/geographical boundaries and time horizons

Description of exposure units – agriculture, forests, water, health, ecosystems, human settlements, infrastructure, industry, energy, etc

Possible follow-up of the assessment work

Description of approaches, methods and tools (b)

Paragraph 33: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to include a description of approaches, methodologies and tools used, including scenarios for the assessment of impacts of, and vulnerability and

adaptation to climate change, as well as any uncertainties inherent

in these methodologies

General approach, framework and specific methodologies for analysis- e.g. IPCC guidelines, MAGICC-SCENGEN, PRECIS, downscaling, etc.

Environmental and socio-economic scenarios – i.e., climate is not the only factor

Population characteristics and resources, food, housing, arable land and other development trajectories

Key findings and integrating effects (c)

Paragraph 34: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide information on their vulnerability to the impacts of, and their adaptation to,

climate change in key vulnerable areas. Information should include key findings, and direct and indirect effects arising from climate change,

allowing for an integrated analysis of the country’s vulnerability to climate change

Describe and quantify effects of climate change in key vulnerable areas/sectors- effects of climate variability and change, vulnerabilities and adaptation in key sectors- coping strategies and possible options for adaptation

Indirect and combined effects and socio-economic changes (integrated effects)

Broad implications for the country as a whole

Sectoral linkages and associated effects

Emphasize and qualify the effects of climate change and their interactions with non-climatic changes

Adaptation strategies and measures (d)

Paragraph 35: Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide information on and, to the extent possible, evaluation of, strategies

and measures for adapting to climate change, in key areas including those which are of the highest priority

Possibilities for responding to cc effects and their interactions- no-regret options and other policies and development priorities (planning, econ. Development, land-use, etc)

Specific adaptations to effects identified in the study

Evaluation/prioritization (costs, practicability, environmental and cultural appropriateness

General policies with implications for adaptation

Needs for capacity building and institutional strengthening, public awareness, education, and information

Frameworks for adaptation (e)

Paragraph 36: Where relevant, Parties may report on the use of policy frameworks, such as national adaptation programmes, plans and policies for developing and implementing adaptation strategies

and measures.

Frameworks such as adaptation policy framework and national adaptation programmes of action can assist in the identification of options, strategies and measures- e.g. design specific adaptation projects and mainstreaming adaptation into sustainable development

Priority adaptation needs (most urgent)

Barriers to and opportunities for adaptation (legal, institutional, financial, technological)

Specific gaps and limitations – socio-economic and baseline data, climate and sea-level change scenarios, direct and indirect effects and their interactions

Appropriate adaptive options and capacity building needs

Reference material and sources of information

Methods and tools for vulnerability and adaptation assessments

Baseline climatologies and climate change scenarios

Socio-economic scenarios

Thank you!

For your attention