Supporting the Implementation of a Copenhagen Agreement in Developing Countries: Priorities for Policy and Research

1 Scientific and/or technical quality, relevant to the topics
addressed by the call
1.1 Concept and Objectives
1.1.1 Climate Policy Background
##can only be finished after Copenhagen

The FP7 Work Programme 2010, topic 6.1.1.6.3, calls for identification of policy portfolios for effective adaptation/mitigation and prioritisation of research needs in EU and international funding programmes in support of the implementation of a post-2012 climate change agreement in developing countries and/or emerging economies. ##Issues to consider for introductory text of proposal:

• Ongoing negotiations, refer to negotiating text, but keep option open to change it depending on the outcome of COP15 and the implementation decisions to be made in 2010

• Need to show understanding of Copenhagen process and national climate policy and planning processes (NAPAs & NAPs, LEDS, NAMAs, LTMSs etc)

• Same for non-climate policy and planning processes (focus on ODA, trade and human rights)

• Refer to relevant international institutions and regimes

• Emphasis in coordination action is on gathering exisiting information and sharing it with relevant decision-makers; more than just a series of workshops – innovative comms strategy required: Project partners should bring together the relevant information in the form of reports as input for the conferences; need to think about the audience and whether not just policy makers (i.e. in government) but also policy shapers (parliamentarians, advisers, thought leasers) need to be included and how this can best happen.

• Aim: identification and integration of policy portfolios and research needs

The Convention and the Kyoto Protocol oblige the economically strongest industrialised countries (“Annex II Parties”) to provide financial resources to cover implementation of capacity-building, public awareness and outreach, development and transfer of technologies, support for adaptation, support for activities referred to in Article 4.8 of the Convention, and support for mitigation (Articles 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 11 of the Convention, Article 11 of the Protocol). The Financial Mechanism under the UNFCCC has encountered various difficulties, among others their complexity in operation and lack of sufficient resources. This has led to widespread dissatisfaction on the part of developing countries, which increasingly demand more substantial offers from industrialised countries.

In order to secure budgets for specific objectives, in addition to the above mentioned Financial Mechanism the Marrakesh Accords, adopted at the seventh Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC in 2001, established three special funds for transfers to developing countries, namely the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) under the UNFCCC, and the Adaptation Fund (AF) under the Kyoto Protocol. However, these funds as well have encountered significant difficulties in being fully operationalised and securing resources.