MRV for Wetlands.

Outline Introduction Scope Measurement Reporting Verification Topic D2. Slide 2 of 21 Outline Introduction Scope Measurement Reporting Verification What is MRV intended for? National Communication Biennial Update Reports NAMA Planning the MRV systems for REDD+ Wetlands MRV systems Summary By way of introduction we will learn what Monitoring, Reporting and Verification or MRV is Then we will see the scope of each element of MRV Having learned that it is also important to know what monitoring, reporting and verification is intended for Since the most recent debate on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification is focused on Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation we will discuss how it is framed in national and sub national contexts Before summarizing, we will see the possible direction of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification in Wetlands

Introduction An important procedure built in a systematic way to Topic D2. Slide 3 of 21 Introduction An important procedure built in a systematic way to generate transparency built trust on their effectiveness and facilitate decision-making Can be used to estimate: emissions at national, regional, sectoral levels impacts of mitigation policies and actions financial flows/technology transfer/capacity building and their impacts Without a robust MRV projects would have difficulties in finding markets MRV is an important procedure which one can use to appear more transparent and trustable; using MRV can help one to decide what to expect from a particular action It can be used to estimate emission and emission reduction, provided that a reference level, as discussed in the previous topic, is available. Therefore, it can improve mitigation policy and measures to improve further actions; it can be used to estimate financial-related matters. In short, it is almost impossible to find markets without a robust MRV system.

Topic D2. Slide 4 of 21 Scope: Measurement Measurements can be applied at different levels (national, sub-national), as well as sectoral and facility (factory) Establish baselines as a reference point for setting future mitigation targets Involve a range of organizations in the measurement process including public and private sectors Multiply activity data (AD), e.g. energy statistics, with country-specific emission factors (EFs) to achieve an estimate of total emissions. MRV has three different elements (monitoring, reporting and verification) but they are related, and we examine the scope of each element. First, let’s look at measurement. This cuts across various levels and institutions when the expected data quality is controlled and assured. In general, measurements are expected to generate activity data (AD) involving land-use change over a period of time, and emission factors (EF) indicating change in greenhouse gas emission per unit mass of carbon per unit area concerned. By multiplying AD and EF, one can estimate emissions at the level under consideration.

Topic D2. Slide 5 of 21 Scope: Reporting Reporting, which is intended for the production of National Communications, Biennial Update Reports (BURs), and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) includes: Sectors activities and types of gas Institutional arrangements Methodologies used, data sources, underlying assumptions, QA/QC procedures Methodology used to determine the uncertainty Methodology of baseline construction The scope of reporting follows the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)‘s Conference of the Parties (COP) decisions concerning: National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, National Communication, Biennial Update Reports (BURs), and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) The activities reported follows the sectoral approach and type of gas in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) The reports strictly follow the methodologies outlined in the IPCC guidelines

Topic D2. Slide 6 of 21 Scope: Verification Verification helps implement quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures at national level, in order to improve transparency, accuracy, consistency, completeness, comparability and the overall confidence in the emission estimates. Intended for both for data providers and the national entity responsible for compiling the emissions estimates Verification is not supposed to control countries but rather to install an international learning process and to foster continuous improvement. While robust verification is implemented to control and assure data quality, the process is not intended to control countries It is expected to eventually improve the performance of the responsible national entity

MRV of National Communication Topic D2. Slide 7 of 21 MRV of National Communication Developed countries are required to submit information on their national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories annually. They also submit national communication periodically, according to dates set by the COP. The sixth national communications from these countries was due by 1 January 2014. At COP16, it was decided that developing countries would submit their national communications (which include national GHG inventories) every four years. While the guidelines for a national greenhouse gas inventory is improving, MRV for National Communication, normally based on the inventory, has also considerably improved over time. The ‘common but differentiated responsibility principle’ is demonstrated here. Developed countries report more frequently than developing countries that have more limited resources and capacity COP16 decision suggests that developing countries should submit their national communications (which include national greenhouse gas inventories) every 4 years.

MRV of Biennial Update Reports (BURs) Topic D2. Slide 8 of 21 MRV of Biennial Update Reports (BURs) At COP17, it was decided that developing countries should submit their first biennial update reports by December 2014 and the subsequent ones every two thereafter. It contains updates of national greenhouse gas inventories, including a national inventory report and information on mitigation actions, needs and support received. The least developed country Parties and small island developing States may submit biennial update reports at their discretion. Biennial Update Report is a new reporting system intended for developing countries. At COP17, it was decided that they will submit the first reports by December 2014 and subsequent ones every 2 years thereafter. It contains updates of national greenhouse gas inventories, and information on mitigation actions. The least developed country (LDC) parties and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) may submit biennial update reports at their discretion.

MRV of NAMA Concerns on the impacts of mitigation policies and actions Topic D2. Slide 9 of 21 MRV of NAMA Concerns on the impacts of mitigation policies and actions Helps identify national priorities as well as challenges and opportunities Policy planning and prioritisation and improving policy coherence – important to keep track of lessons learnt For internal national record, tracking progress e.g. emission reductions and progress to achieving objectives To demonstrate to donors the emission reduction and impacts of NAMAs Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions or NAMA was conceptually introduced in the Bali Action Plan 2007. MRV helps identify national priorities as well as challenges and opportunities, policy planning and prioritization. It is also useful for internal national record, tracking progress e.g. emission reductions and to demonstrate to donors the emission reduction and impacts of NAMAs.

Topic D2. Slide 10 of 21 What is NAMA? The concept of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions was introduced in the Bali Action Plan 2007 Implemented by developing country Parties in the context of sustainable development through Unilateral NAMA or Supported NAMA They are enabled by technology, financing and capacity building, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner The role of carbon markets in financing NAMAs is under discussion among various stakeholders and includes the concept of credited NAMAs Like Biennial Update Reports, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) are implemented by developing country Parties. There are Unilateral NAMAs and Supported NAMAs that are enabled by technology, financing and capacity building, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner. The role of carbon markets in financing NAMAs is under discussion among various stakeholders and includes the concept of credited NAMAs.

Planning the MRV system for REDD+ Topic D2. Slide 11 of 21 Planning the MRV system for REDD+ Define initial priorities for capacity development: understanding the national REDD+ implementation strategies and policies identifying high priority areas to focus MRV activities (and demonstrations) using a stratified national approach Early actions will need to deal with partial MRV but leakage need to be assessed nationally Link with evolving benefit sharing mechanisms Synergy of national and local monitoring Role of local communities and experts in REDD+ implementation For Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus, the MRV system and process is still at the capacity development stage. To speed up the process, early actions will need to deal with partial MRV but leakage need to be assessed nationally. Links with evolving benefit-sharing mechanisms is encouraged and there should be synergy of national and local monitoring.

Framework for national REDD+ monitoring Topic D2. Slide 12 of 21 Framework for national REDD+ monitoring National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon) National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG) To frame the monitoring element, we could start from the experience in national communication using IPCC guidelines, particularly in the land-use sector that can be improved in the future. Past Current Future Herold , 2012

Framework for national REDD+ monitoring Topic D2. Slide 13 of 21 Framework for national REDD+ monitoring REDD+ National strategy and implementation National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon) National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG) Based on the national REDD strategy, the land-used involved may be broadened to allow potential leakages to be taken care of. Past Current Future REDD+ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Herold , 2012

Framework for national REDD+ monitoring Topic D2. Slide 14 of 21 Framework for national REDD+ monitoring REDD+ National strategy and implementation National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon) National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG) Reference level (stepwise improvement) In the meantime, a reference level may be developed using existing and best available data. Past Current Future REDD+ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Herold , 2012

Framework for national REDD+ monitoring Topic D2. Slide 15 of 21 Framework for national REDD+ monitoring REDD+ National strategy and implementation MRV of REDD+ actions (national) Local REDD+ monitoring National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon) National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG) Reference level (stepwise improvement) Then the integration with REDD mechanisms may be performed at national and subnational or local levels Past Current Future REDD+ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Herold , 2012

Framework for national REDD+ monitoring Topic D2. Slide 16 of 21 Framework for national REDD+ monitoring REDD+ performance (national) International verification REDD+ National strategy and implementation MRV of REDD+ actions (national) Local REDD+ monitoring National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon) National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG) Reference level (stepwise improvement) Finally, performing National REDD implementation may be internationally verified. Past Current Future REDD+ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Herold , 2012

International Reporting Topic D2. Slide 17 of 21 National level MRV International Reporting Local level Monitoring National priorities and strategies for local REDD+ implementation National datasets and streams for local use Capacity development and revenue stream (for MRV) MRV guidance & standards National data infrastructure and quality control of local measurements Monitoring of leakage REDD+ participation and safeguards Local data collection as input to national monitoring (forest inventory, regular and near-real time tracking of forest change events) Performance reporting (long-term) for local implementation activities Independent data sources for validation purposes While promoting a subnational and local MRV process, countries could adopt low cost and robust participatory MRV to implement safeguards (social and environment) at the same level. Capacity building should be part of the feedback loop between national and local processes. Pratihast et al., 2013,

Wetlands MRV systems: foods for thought Topic D2. Slide 18 of 21 Wetlands MRV systems: foods for thought Use international verification to anticipate participation in results-based schemes Adopt 2013 Supplement of 2006 IPCC Guidelines Take advantage of existing national forest monitoring and inventory systems Cover emissions and removals estimates, and consistency with reference levels Interim reporting can catalyse progress on MRV and broader climate change mitigation agenda Use international verification to anticipate participation in results-based schemes. Adopt 2013 Supplement of 2006 IPCC Guidelines for greenhouse gas national inventories for wetlands. Take advantage of existing national forest monitoring and inventory systems, including FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA). Consistently cover emissions and removals estimates, with reference levels. Interim performance reporting including biennial update report (BUR) or NAMA can catalyse progress on MRV and the broader climate change mitigation agenda.

Topic D2. Slide 19 of 21 Concluding remarks Continuous MRV improvements is important to encourage broad participation and step-wise progress National forest monitoring system in place Linking data and emission estimates to financial incentives and benefit sharing Reduce uncertainties by improving institutional and individual capacities at all levels Sustained support on the national and sub national processes from the international level Developing countries, especially those with extensive wetlands have opportunities to develop their MRV systems Continuous MRV improvements is important to encourage broad participation and step-wise progress (i.e. along REDD+ phases). National forest monitoring system is already in place. Linking data and estimates to financial incentives and benefit-sharing Reduce uncertainties by improving institutional and individual capacities at all levels Sustained support on the national and subnational processes at the international level. Developing countries, especially those with extensive wetlands, have opportunities to develop their MRV systems

Topic D2. Slide 20 of 21 References Herold M, Angelsen A, Verchot LV, Wijaya A and Ainembabazi JH. 2012. A stepwise framework for developing REDD+ reference levels. In Angelsen et al, eds. Analyzing REDD+: Challenges and choices. Bogor, Indonesia: CIFOR. Pang Y, Thistlethwaite G, Watterson J, Okamura S, Harries J, Varma A, Le Cornu E. 2014. How to set up national MRV system. GIZ. Pratihast AK, Herold M, De Sy V, Murdiyarso D and Skutsch M. 2013. Linking community-based and national REDD+ monitoring: A review of options for implementation. Carbon Management 4(1):91–104. Romijn E, Herold M, Kooistra L, Murdiyarso D and Verchot L. 2012. Assessing capacities of non-Annex I countries for national forest monitoring in the context of REDD+. Environmental Science and Policy 15:33–48. Here are some key references, from which, this presentation is developed

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