AWARENESS-RAISING WORKSHOP
Safari Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia
23-25 September 2008
Annotated agenda
Objectives
· Awareness raising for policy makers on climate change strategic issues and key national priorities
· Capacity development for negotiators on the building blocks of the Bali Action Plan and related policy issues
· Capacity development for technical experts on conducting assessments of investment and financial flows to address climate change.
Illustrative example of the workshop components
DAY 1Global component
Presentations & discussions on:
· Mitigation
· Adaptation
· Land use, land-use change & forestry
· Technology transfer
· Investments & financing / DAY 2
National component
· Introduction to investment & financial flow assessment
· Key sector: LULUCF
· Key sector: energy
· Training for negotiators / DAY 3
· Training for investment & financial flows team
Expected results
In addition to the broader objective of enhanced understanding, workshop organisers could identify concrete results to be obtained by the end of the workshop. These could include:
· Consensus on how to approach the investment and financial flows assessments, e.g., how ministries will collaborate and what kind of institutional arrangement would best suit the objective.
· Agreement on how to co-ordinate national ministerial views relevant to the Bali Action Plan negotiations and further develop and refine a national position;
· Agreement on the need to develop a national strategy on climate change issues and a negotiating strategy with respect to a post-2012 future climate regime.
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23 September 2008
Morning session (8:30 – 1:00)Registration
8:00 - 8:30 / Registration of participants
Opening Session
8:30 - 8:55 / Welcoming Remarks
Mr. Teofilus Nghitila (MET/DEA)
Opening Remarks
Dr. Kalumbi Shangula (MET/PS)
Presentation and review of the agenda for the day
Mr. William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu, UNFCCC/DNA Focal Point, Ghana
Outline of presentation:
· On the national level, developing countries, African countries in particular, will need to enhance their national planning efforts on all levels, between all ministries and across all economic sectors to be prepared for the impacts of climate change,
· On the international level, future cooperative action on climate change is being discussed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These new negotiations, known as the Bali Action Plan, will chart the course for future long-term cooperative action and it is vital that developing countries actively participate to ensure that any agreed outcome reflects their needs and interests, both in the short and long term.
· This workshop will seek build a bridge between these two important areas and help build a national dialogue to discuss them: both the current international climate negotiations and how the issues under discussion there relate to national policy planning.
· The workshop will focus on three key objectives:
o First, awareness raising for policy makers on strategic issues relating to climate change and how they in turn relate to key national priorities,
o Second, capacity development for negotiators on the building blocks of the Bali Action Plan, and
o Third, capacity development for technical experts to conduct assessments of investment and financial flows for climate change.
· The workshop will provide presentations and information on the four building blocks being negotiated under the Bali Action Plan—mitigation, adaptation, technology and finance. In addition, the workshop will address issues relating to land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF).
· The workshop will allow a closer look at national issues and key sectors regarding climate change, including a focused exchange on the sectors energy (mitigation) and forestry (adaptation). It will also give a concrete understanding of the investment and financial flows related to the key sectors.
· The workshop will bring together decision makers from line ministries, as well as other distinguished colleagues, to discuss the implications of climate change on national policies and key sectors and to enhance the integration of climate issues into national development and economic planning.
· The workshop will take a participatory approach, which means it will focus primarily on your views and concerns raised during discussions. In addition, it is country-driven and based on prior consultations with national representatives in order to focus on the issues of importance to Namibia.
· Concrete results that could be achieved by the end of the workshop could include reaching agreement on:
o How to approach the investment and financial flows assessments; in other words, how the different ministries would collaborate on these issues in the future and what kind of institutional arrangement would best suit the objective.
o How to co-ordinate ministerial views relevant to the Bali Action Plan negotiations and how to further develop and refine a national position.
o The need to develop a national strategy on climate change issues and a negotiating strategy with respect to a future climate regime.
8:55 - 9:00 / Organization of the workshop
Mr. William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu, UNFCCC/DNA Focal Point, Ghana
The workshop will be organized along the following general lines:
· For each of the main topics, there will be a brief presentation that highlights the key issues and questions.
· This would be followed by a general discussion session to consider the issues and questions raised by the presentations.
· Participants would then break into five smaller working groups to consider a specific question and provide their views in more detail. Each small group will have a moderator to help facilitate a discussion, assisted by rapporteur.
· Moderators from the working groups will be invited to report back to plenary.
· The facilitator will then sum up these outcomes of these discussion and bring out the main messages and conclusions for further consideration.
The concluding session on Day 2 would discuss possible recommendations and proposals for national level follow-up arising from the session, particularly in terms of the role of institutions in supporting action on climate change.
Day 3 would include one or two special training sessions on selected topics.
In addition, a survey will be distributed to participants prior to the start of the workshop to assess their key concerns and expected results for the workshop.
9:00 - 9:20 / Introduction of participants/presentation of survey result on expectations
Mr. William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu & Ms. Maria Netto (UNDP)
· Introduction of participants (tour de table): name, role and experience with the topic of climate change
· Summary of the results of the survey on expectations for the workshop.
9:20 – 9:30 / Overview of the Bali Road Map
10 minutes, 5 slides
· Overview of the Bali Road Map and the Bali Action Plan
· Key issues and update on progress to date / Ms. Maria Netto, UNDP Climate Change Policy Adviser
Mitigation
9:30 - 9:40 / Presentation
Discussion-oriented, 10 minutes, 5 slides
· Summary of findings from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report on Mitigation (WG III), then national policy options, with a focus on developing countries.
· How mitigation has been considered in UNFCCC negotiations throughout the years and the key issues under discussion within the Bali Action Plan.
· Background information and examples from Namibia.
Key messages:
· The need and potential for mitigation at the country level
· Mitigation as a path towards sustainable development
· The opportunities that climate change provides to countries through mitigation activities linked to carbon markets and financing mechanisms and institutions
· The need to develop institutional arrangements that facilitate emission reductions, as well as the possibility of monitoring, verifying and reporting those efforts. / Mr. Massamba Thioye, Senegal
9:40 - 10:00 / Plenary discussion
Facilitator should lead discussion by seeking questions of clarification from the participants and providing questions to prompt discussion. Possible questions include:
· What mitigation issues currently being discussed under the Bali Road Map are the key challenges for Namibia?
· What are, in your view, the key issues, sectors and areas of work that Namibia needs to further focus on?
· How can constraints be measured and needs quantified in order to justify funding and capacity building?
· Which policy instruments has Namibia used to achieve objectives on environment or energy policy? Have they been successful? What were the reasons for their success?
· What institutional arrangements would help improve policy design and decision making related to climate change? / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
10:00 - 10:45 / Working group discussion
Possible questions for discussion:
· What nationally appropriate mitigation actions, in the context of sustainable development, would have most support in Namibia?
· Is it realistic to expect that sufficient mitigation technologies will be developed and diffused, especially in the energy sector, even if there is no carbon cap?
· What further analysis would be needed to support Namibia in taking nationally appropriate mitigation actions? What are future actions and key considerations at the national level for mitigation (in terms of prioritising sectors/planning/policy development/opportunities)? / Working groups will have national facilitators.
Workshop resource team will act as note-takers on each table
10:450 - 11:00 / Conclusion
Groups to report their results back to the main group. The facilitator leads further discussion. / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
Coffee break (20 minutes)
Adaptation
11:30-11:40 / Presentation
Discussion-oriented, 10 minutes, 5 slides
· Introduction and definition of key concepts
· Evolution of the international negotiation on adaptation and key issues under the Bali Action Plan, including recent submissions made by the G-77/China.
· Examples of implications for national policy
· Background information and examples from Namibia.
Key messages:
· Adaptation as a national priority
· The need for a national adaptation strategy
· The convergence of adaptation and sustainable development (i.e. MDG)
· The debate on the required institutional framework to facilitate adaptation / Ms. Maria Netto, UNDP Climate Change Policy Advisor
11:40-12:00 / Plenary discussion
Facilitator will lead discussion by seeking questions of clarification from the participants and providing questions to prompt discussion. Possible questions to encourage plenary discussion:
· What adaptation issues currently being discussed under the Bali Road Map are the key challenges for Namibia?
· What are in your view the key issues, sectors, areas of work that Namibia needs to further focus on?
· What are the existing national institutional frameworks for coordinating climate change in Namibia?
· Is there a specific group for coordination action and positions on adaptation? What kind of stakeholders are involved in such institutional framework? / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
12:00-12:45 / Working groups
Possible questions for discussion:
· How much will climate change impacts affect the economic growth and social development of Namibia? For what key development priorities would adaptation be necessary? What are the first steps to integrate adaptation into such priorities?
· What mechanisms should be put in place, nationally and internationally, to provide effective means for adaptation to climate change, including financing? What policy changes should be made to cope with the current and expected impacts of climate change?
· What adaptation-related issues should be further emphasized in a future climate change regime? The African Group proposes a network of African Centres of Excellence on climate change and a regional information system on climate change risks in Africa; what opportunities would this present for exchange of experience; are there other roles?
· What further analysis would be needed to support Namibia in preparing to adapt to climate change? What are future actions and key considerations at the national level for adaptation? / Working groups will have national facilitators. Workshop resource team will act as note-takers on each table
12:45-1:00 / Conclusion
Groups to report their results back to the main group. The facilitator leads further discussion. / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
Lunch
Afternoon session (2:00 – 6:00)
Land-use, Land-use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)
2:00 – 2:10 / Presentation
Discussion-oriented (10 minutes, 5 slides)
· Overview of how LULUCF has been considered throughout the years in the UNFCCC negotiations
· Consideration of options for the future regime (post-2012)
· Background information and examples from Namibia.
Key messages:
· LULUCF as a key area to improve livelihoods and preserve the environment
· Opportunities to participate in global markets and financial instruments through LULUCF / Mr. Hernan Carlino, Argentina
2:10 – 2:40 / Plenary discussion
Facilitator should lead discussion by seeking questions of clarification from the participants and providing questions to prompt discussion. Possible questions to encourage plenary discussion:
· What LULUCF issues currently being discussed in the climate negotiations are the key challenges for Namibia?
· What are, in your view, the key issues, sectors, areas of work that Namibia would need to further focus on?
· Has Namibia participated in the LULUCF negotiations? If yes, how is the process to define positions and negotiation strategies regarding LULUCF in the UNFCCC?
· What incentives would be needed for promoting action on LULUCF in Namibia? / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
Technology Transfer
2:40 – 2:50 / Presentation
Discussion-oriented, 10 minutes, 5 slides
· Background on technology in the UNFCCC negotiations
· Key issues under the Bali Road Map on the role of technology in a long-term transformation of energy and economic systems, including recent submissions made by the G-77/China.
· Overview of trends in technology development and deployment
· Background information and examples from Namibia.
Key messages:
· Identifying sectors where new technology can make a difference
· Barriers to technology deployment
· Financing as means to “leap-frog” to climate-friendly technology
· Public vs. private investment and the role of markets / Mr. William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
2:50 – 3:00 / Plenary discussion
Facilitator should lead discussion by seeking questions of clarification from the participants and providing questions to prompt discussion. Possible questions to encourage plenary discussion:
· What technology transfer and development issues currently discussed in the climate negotiations are key for Namibia?
· What are, in your view, the key issues, sectors, areas of work that Namibia would need to further focus on? What incentives would be needed for promoting action on technology?
· Has Namibia participated in the technology negotiations? If yes, how is the national process for defining positions and negotiation strategies in the UNFCCC? / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
3:00 – 3:45 / Working groups
Possible questions for discussion:
· What roles does government play in the development, deployment and transfer of technologies?
· Are there specific roles for the private sector in the development, deployment and transfer of technologies, and would the private sector on its own be motivated to fulfil these expected roles?
· How can Parties accelerate the progress in all stages of the technology process from technology innovation to application?
· What are the opportunities for exchange of experience at the regional level; what would be the role of regional centres of excellence, as recently proposed by the G-77/China. / Working groups will have national facilitators.
Workshop resource team will act as note-takers on each table
3:45 - 4:00 / Conclusions
Groups to report their results back to the main group. The facilitator leads further discussion. / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
Coffee break (20 minutes)
Investment and Financing
4:20–4:30 / Presentation
Discussion-oriented (10 minutes, 5 slides)
· Overview of how investments and financing issues have been considered in UNFCCC negotiations and the key issues currently under discussion within the Bali Road Map, including recent submissions made by the G-77/China.
· Consideration of options for the future regime (post-2012).
· Background information and examples from Namibia.
Key messages:
· The importance of investment decisions taking into account both mitigation and adaptation issues in terms of overall sustainability and economic efficiency
· The role of public and private investment and financing and the institutional environment for decision making
· Carbon markets as an institutional leverage for investment and financial flows at the country level
· Access to climate change funding; availability of new and additional resources / Ms. Maria Netto, UNDP
4:30–5:00 / Plenary discussion
Facilitator should lead discussion by seeking questions of clarification from the participants and providing questions to prompt discussion. Possible questions to encourage plenary discussion:
· What issues relating to investment and financial flows currently being discussed in the climate negotiations are the key challenges for Namibia?
· What are in your view the key issues, sectors, areas of work that Namibia would need to further focus on?
· Has Namibia participated in the negotiations on financial issues? If yes, what is the process to define positions and negotiation strategies in the UNFCCC? / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
5:00–5:45 / Working groups
Possible questions for discussion:
· What are the main mitigation options in Namibia? What changes to the investment and financial flows would implementing those options entail?
· What are the main adaptation options in Namibia? What changes to investment and financial flows would implementing those options entail?
· What changes would be needed to improve the investment and financial flows for key sectors for Namibia, such as forestry, tourism and agriculture.
· What are the main barriers and risks associated with financing less carbon intensive conventional energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in developing countries? How are these projects different from conventional energy projects? / Working groups will have national facilitators.
Workshop resource team will act as note-takers on each table
5:45-6:00 / Conclusion
Groups to report their results back to the main group. The facilitator leads further discussion. / Facilitator: Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu
24 September 2008