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 April 2004 Manila, The Philippines Graham Sem Programme Officer Non-Annex I Implementation UNFCCC secretariat

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) P aragraph 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 appropriate methodologies 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) P aragraph 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