Building on lessons learned for improving the NAI guidelines for National Communications Yamil Bonduki National Communications Support Programme (NCSP) Antigua & Barbuda March 21-23, 2011

A few (not so rhetoric) questions – Why are we discussing possible revisions to the Guidelines? – What are we looking for in new guidelines? – How to distinguish constraints in the use of the guidelines vs. constraints derived from the use of tools and methodologies? – Do we have a preliminary “Picture” of the (potentially) new guidelines? – Why are we discussing possible revisions to the Guidelines? – What are we looking for in new guidelines? – How to distinguish constraints in the use of the guidelines vs. constraints derived from the use of tools and methodologies? – Do we have a preliminary “Picture” of the (potentially) new guidelines?

Guidance to compile and report the different studies and sections of a NC report. Help countries: – Make the reports as comprehensive and clear as possible, based on country-driven processes and priorities – Understand key information to be reported (regardless of level of detail countries may choose to report) – Identify methodologies that countries may use for the different components – How information and analysis may be reported – Follow “logical” flow of information under different components to improve clarity of reports – Make the reports as comprehensive and clear as possible, based on country-driven processes and priorities – Understand key information to be reported (regardless of level of detail countries may choose to report) – Identify methodologies that countries may use for the different components – How information and analysis may be reported – Follow “logical” flow of information under different components to improve clarity of reports

Methodological guidance for specific areas vs guidance on how to report results – Guidance on the methodologies that may be used in different sections very much needed – But need to avoid the risk of getting into methodological description (e.g. guidance on compilation and reporting of technical issues vs. guidance on using the methodologies) – Guidance on the methodologies that may be used in different sections very much needed – But need to avoid the risk of getting into methodological description (e.g. guidance on compilation and reporting of technical issues vs. guidance on using the methodologies)

More information vs. better description of results – Handling vast data and information to avoid overwhelming the users/readers – What information/results may be highlighted vs. detailed description that tend to make the reports heavy to read…. – Strike a balance between technical results and policy relevant issues (e.g. making the NC more useful for decision making) – Handling vast data and information to avoid overwhelming the users/readers – What information/results may be highlighted vs. detailed description that tend to make the reports heavy to read…. – Strike a balance between technical results and policy relevant issues (e.g. making the NC more useful for decision making)

Linkages among different sections of the NC report – Guidance to improve flow among sections E.g. national circumstances with other sections; GHG inventory and mitigation… – Avoid repetitions / overlaps – Avoid omitting critical information needed to substantiate the findings among the different sections – Guidance to improve flow among sections E.g. national circumstances with other sections; GHG inventory and mitigation… – Avoid repetitions / overlaps – Avoid omitting critical information needed to substantiate the findings among the different sections

New areas, if any, that my be included in the report – Linkages with current areas being reported? – Expansion of scope of work? – Implications of expanding reporting (additional technical and financial resources)? – Linkages with current areas being reported? – Expansion of scope of work? – Implications of expanding reporting (additional technical and financial resources)?

A few examples of what new guidelines may address Discussions on what is needed to strengthen coordination and institutional support on CC at country level Suggestions on how description on institutional arrangements can be made more useful in terms of understanding the institutional context of CC in the country Guidance on how NC reports may better reflect “articulation” needs to make NC more relevant to policy decision and national development Guidance on how to make the “other information” sections more useful and relevant. Discussions on what is needed to strengthen coordination and institutional support on CC at country level Suggestions on how description on institutional arrangements can be made more useful in terms of understanding the institutional context of CC in the country Guidance on how NC reports may better reflect “articulation” needs to make NC more relevant to policy decision and national development Guidance on how to make the “other information” sections more useful and relevant.

And a few questions regarding the (possible) new guidelines A check list? Minimum level of information to be included by each section? Suggested outline for the main components? Rethink of usefulness of some current aspects of the NC reports? (e.g. What is the information being used for? How relevant are these sections?) Should guidance be provided on a summary for policy makers? Should guidance be provided on how NC reports may build on previous reports? A check list? Minimum level of information to be included by each section? Suggested outline for the main components? Rethink of usefulness of some current aspects of the NC reports? (e.g. What is the information being used for? How relevant are these sections?) Should guidance be provided on a summary for policy makers? Should guidance be provided on how NC reports may build on previous reports?

Any questions please direct them to the UNFCCC Secretariat! They will be happy to answer them… THANKS! Any questions please direct them to the UNFCCC Secretariat! They will be happy to answer them… THANKS!