UNFCCC holds informal talks in Thailand

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held Informal Talks at Bangkok Thailand during August 26 to September 05, 2012 to support its ongoing cooperative efforts toward climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Mr Kishan Kumarsingh (left) in his capacity as Facilitator, AWG-LCA and

Mr Aysar Tayeb, Chair of the AWG-LCA

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources representatives, Mr Kishan Kumarsingh and Ms Jewel Batchasingh attended the meeting on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago. This meeting saw the resumption of the following groups to advance decisions on climate change:

• Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA)
• Ad Hoc Working Group on the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP)

The meeting also served as the forum for the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (AWG-ADP), which is a technical group organised to develop another protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties, which will come into force in 2015.

These talks had some measure of success in all three tracks, with the next key conference being the UNFCCC pre-COP meeting in the Republic of Korea, October 2012. Many developing countries believe that work cannot progress in the AWG-ADP until they are satisfied with the conclusions of the other two AWGs. 

In this context, it is felt that Bangkok met its objectives in illuminating the linkages and trade-offs among the three AWGs. The UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) is carded for Doha in November 2012 and is anticipated to be a difficult meeting as it seeks to end the AWG-LCA, and secure a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

Building capacity on climate change mitigation

The second in its series of training workshops for National Communications, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has recently held a training workshop on mitigation assessment for developing countries, as a follow up to the first workshop on vulnerability and adaptation assessment. 

Wind, sun and biomass are renewable energy sources that can be used to switch away from fossil fuels as a means to mitigate climate change.

Trinidad and Tobago attended the UNFCCC Hands on Training for Latin America and the Caribbean Region on Mitigation Assessment, held in Antigua and Barbuda during July 16-20, 2012. The workshop was organized by the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention, and was attended by Ms Jewel Batchasingh, Climate Change/Ozone Specialist, MEAU. 

The CGE exists to provide technical assistance to Non-Annex I Parties (basically, developing countries) to undertake vulnerability and adaptation assessments with a view to improving the accuracy, consistency and transparency of information reported in their national communications (basically, national reports). The meeting sought to examine:

1.            Mitigating Climate Change

2.            Mitigation in the Context of National Communications and Biennial Update Reports

3.            Experiences in Mitigation Assessment and National Communications

4.            Mitigation Options, Issues and Barriers by Sector

5.            Screening Mitigation Options

6.            Mitigation Analysis, Methods and Tools

7.            Reporting Mitigation in National Communications

8.            Building National Arrangements for the Mitigation Assessment

Participation by Trinidad and Tobago at this particular workshop augured well with the current mitigation initiatives being pursued by the country, such as providing an overview of the various technologies and options that might be appropriate for mitigating greenhouse gases, as well as the types of policies and measures that can promote the implementation of those options, including examining energy supply, transportation, buildings, industry, agriculture, forestry, waste management, and cross-cutting mitigation options. It will also supplement our work in the preparation of National Communications to the UNFCCC.

Building capacity in climate change adaptation

Trinidad and Tobago attended the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Hands on Training for Latin America and the Caribbean Region on Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment, held in Antigua and Barbuda during the period July 09-13, 2012.  

The workshop was organized by the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention, and was attended by Ms Denise Hakim, Research Analyst, MEAU.

The CGE is mandated to provide technical assistance to Non-Annex I Parties to undertake vulnerability and adaptation assessments with a view to improving the accuracy, consistency and transparency of information reported in their national communications. 

The Hands-on Training for Latin America and the Caribbean Region on Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Workshop examined the following key matters:

1. Experiences and Challenges in conducting Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments by Sector
2. Vulnerability and Adaptation Component of a Future Comprehensive National System
3. Vulnerability and Adaptation Framework
4. Baseline Socioeconomic and Climate Change Scenarios
5. Water Resources – Methods, Tools and Data Requirements for Integrated Water Resource Management and Adaptation Planning in the Water Sector
6. Agriculture – Methods, Tools and Data Requirements for Agricultural Impact Assessment  and Adaptation  Planning in the Agriculture Sector

      
      Cross-sectoral and Multi-sectoral Integration and Communication

Participation by Trinidad and Tobago at this workshop supports the current national initiatives being pursued with regards to addressing climate change impacts including sectoral vulnerability in major sectors and aids in the achievement of the objectives of the National Climate Change Policy, including:
 

1. Conserving and building resilience of human and natural systems to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change;
2. Enhanced agricultural production and food security;
3. Educating the wider public on the potential impacts of climate change and the recommended adaptation strategies; and
4. Conserving and guaranteeing a sustainable supply of potable water.

It will also supplement the Ministry’s work in the preparation of National Communications to the UNFCCC.