1. Implementation Subprogramme
UNFCCC Workshop on the preparation of national communications from non-Annex I Parties Preparation of National Communications: An introduction April 2004 Manila, Philippines
Martha Perdomo
Manager, Non-Annex I
Implementation Subprogramme
UNFCCC secretariat

2. Table of contents
National communications: the process
Status of submissions
New guidelines
New funds
Conclusions

3. The UNFCCC – Reporting requirement under the Convention Article 12.1
In accordance with Article 4.1, each Party shall communicate to the COP, through the secretariat, the following elements of information:
A national inventory of anthropogenic emission by sources and removals by sinks of all GHGs not controlled by the Montreal Protocol;
A general description of steps taken or envisaged by the Party to implement the Convention; and
Any other information that the Party considers relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Convention, including, if feasible, material relevant for calculations of global emission trends.

4. The UNFCCC – Reporting requirement under the Convention Submission (Article 12.4)
… each non-Annex I Party shall make its initial communication within three years of the entry into force of the Convention for that Party, or of the availability of financial resources.
Parties that are least developed countries may make their initial communication at their discretion.
The frequency of subsequent communications by all Parties shall be determined by the Conference of the Parties.

5. The UNFCCC – Reporting requirement under the Convention
NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
They provide a medium where climate change issues and concerns are highlighted and disseminated;
They should include a presentation and interpretation of the major findings and conclusions that inform policies relating to environmental management and sustainable development;
It is a process that involve a continuous technical and analytical assessment of activities;
It serves as a strategic tool for dealing with climate change.

6. Relevant COP decisions National Communications
GEF
Others
11/CP.1
10/CP.2
11/CP.2
12/CP.4
2/CP.4
8/CP.5
31/CP.7
32/CP.7

7. The UNFCCC – Reporting requirement under the Convention

8. The UNFCCC – contents of initial national communications
Executive summary
National Circumstances;
GHG Inventory;
General Description of Steps;
Other Information;
Financial and Technical Needs and Constraints
Annexes

10. Compilation and synthesis reports
Compilation and synthesis (C&S)
Decision
Document symbol
Number of NCs 1
12/CP.4
FCCC/SBI/1999/11 11 2
7/CP.5
FCCC/SBI/2000/15 16 3
3/CP.6
FCCC/SBI/2001/14 and Add.1 25 4
30/CP.7
FCCC/SBI/2002/8
FCCC/SBI/2002/16 31 5
2/CP.8
FCCC/SBI/2003/13
Total number of National Communications 99

11. Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Non-Annex I Parties (CGE)
Objective: Improving the process of preparation of national communications
TOR: ( ) (2002) ( )
Mandate:
Identify and assess difficulties encountered in the use of the guidelines and methodologies, make recommendations;
Examine national communications submitted for improving data collection, use of emission factors and activity data and development of methodologies, including for V&A;
Review existing bilateral and multilateral programmes;
Give technical assistance through “hands on training” workshops

12. Conclusions of CGE and C&S
Methodological problems
Institutional
Financial
Need of new guidelines

15. Guidelines adopted at COP8 (Decision 17/CP.8)
Guidelines contained in the annex to decision 17/CP.8, together with the guidance to an operating entity of the financial mechanism provided in decision 6/CP.8, should be used for the preparation of second and, where appropriate, third and initial national communications

16. Summary of guidelines
Old guidelines (decision 10/CP.2) New guidelines (decision 17/CP.8)
• Objectives
• National circumstances • National circumstances
• Inventory of emissions/removals • National GHG inventory
• General description of steps • General description of steps
– programmes containing measures to facilitate adequate adaptation
– programmes containing measures to mitigate climate change
• Other information • Other information
– transfer of technologies (4/CP.7)
– research and systematic observation (5/CP.5)
– education, training and public awareness (Article 6)
– capacity-building (2/CP.7)
– information and networking
• Financial and technological •Constraints and gaps
needs and constraints

17. New Funds – Marrakesh Accord
Funding under the Convention (decision 7/CP.7 )
Need for ”new and additional” , predictable and adequate funding
Special Climate Change Fund (Decisions 7/CP.8, 5/CP.9)
-Adaptation (implementation, monitoring, CB and regional centres)
- Transfer of technologies (implementation of technology needs ass.)
- Energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management
- Economic diversification
LDC fund (Decisions 27/CP.7, 8/CP.8)
- Preparation of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA)
- Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG)

18. New Funds - Marrakesh Accord
Funding under the Kyoto Protocol (decision 10/CP.7)
Adaptation Fund
- Established to finance concrete projects and programmes
- Shall be financed from the share of proceeds on the CDM project activities
- Parties ratifying the Protocol are invited to provide additional funding
- Shall be operated and managed by the entity entrusted with the operation of the financial mechanism of the Convention

19. Conclusions
- The national communications will continue to be a strategic instrument of great importance
- The new guidelines, the Manual and the available funds will facilitate its preparation
- The revised and updated methodologies, the CGE and other available technical assistance will assist countries in presenting more accurate information
- Given the importance developing countries are giving to V&A, it is probable that the second national communications will form the basis of actions taken to address the effects of climate change.