1. Presentation title
The UNFCCC and its linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
Kevin Grose, Coordinator
UNFCCC secretariat, Information Services

2. 1. UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
1. UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION
ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)
Foundation of global efforts to combat climate change
Opened for signature in 1992 at the “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janeiro, entered into force on 21 March 1994
Currently has near universal membership with 194 Parties
Objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system
Focus of action is on mitigation:
Limiting or reducing anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by sources
Preserving or enhancing sinks and reservoirs of GHGs

3. Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
2. PRINCIPLES
Common but differentiated responsibilities of governments (developed and developing countries)
Precautionary principle to encourage proactive response to the causes of climate change
Full consideration for developing country needs and circumstances
Importance of sustainable development, supported by an open international economic system

4. 3. GROUPING OF PARTIES UNDER THE CONVENTION
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
3. GROUPING OF PARTIES UNDER THE CONVENTION
“Annex I Parties” – largely the developed countries
“Non-Annex I Parties” – largely the developing countries
Categorization based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities
Developed country Parties required to take the lead
The specific needs and special circumstances of developing country Parties to be given full consideration

5. Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
4. THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
Adopted by Parties in 1997, entered into force in 2005
Supplements and strengthens the Convention, building upon and enhancing many of the commitments already in place
Groups countries in the same way as the Convention

6. Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
5. CORE COMMITMENT
Key to the Kyoto Protocol is the commitment for developed countries:
ensure that their aggregate anthropogenic CO2 equivalent emissions of the greenhouse gases do not exceed their assigned amounts as set out in the Protocol
objective to reduce overall emissions by at least 5 % below 1990 levels in the first commitment period 2008 to 2012
If a Party fails to meet its emission target, it must make up the difference, plus 30 per cent, in the second commitment period.

7. 6. OTHER IMPORTANT COMMITMENTS
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
6. OTHER IMPORTANT COMMITMENTS
Taking steps to improve the quality of emissions data
Formulating and implementing national mitigation and adaptation programs, focused on these sectors:
Energy
Transport
Industry
Promoting environmentally sound technology transfer
Cooperating in scientific and technical research and promoting systematic climate observation systems
Support actions to assist developing country Parties address the adverse effects of climate change and response measures
Agriculture
Forestry and land use
Waste management

8. 7. FLEXIBILITY MECHANISMS
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
7. FLEXIBILITY MECHANISMS
Designed to boost the cost-effectiveness of climate change mitigation and assist Annex I Parties that cannot meet their targets:
Joint implementation
Clean development mechanism
Focus on providing support to developing countries with private sector investment
Emissions trading
The creation of the “carbon market”

9. 8. UNFCCC INTERGOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
8. UNFCCC INTERGOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE
Conference of the Parties
Includes the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
Subsidiary Body on Implementation
Subsidiary Body on Science and Technological Advice
Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol
Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention
Other convention and protocol bodies

10. Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
9. UNFCCC SECRETARIAT
Supports negotiations and the work of the Parties
Prepares documentation
Assists in the creation of guidelines and standards for reporting, including review
Serves as regulatory body for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Liaison and support to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC and UNEP/WMO)
Assists in coordination with the main “implementing” organizations
Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Financial mechanism)
UNDP
UNEP
UNITAR

11. Working at national, corporate and international levels
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
10. HOW CAN THE ICT SECTOR CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNFCCC?
The ICT sector can contribute to the global UNFCCC process in many ways,
among them:
Mitigation actions to reduce the carbon footprint of the ICT sector, as well as promotion of climate-friendly ICTs in other sectors
Contributing to and aligning emissions “accounting” standards and practices
Finding the right roles for the ICT sector to support technology transfer to further sustainable development in the climate change context and in Millennium Development Goal 8(f)
Partnering with governments, UN and NGOs to further action on adaptation
Working at national, corporate and international levels

12. 11. MINIMIZE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE ICT SECTOR
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
11. MINIMIZE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE ICT SECTOR
Continue on-going work to introduce energy efficient technologies and practice across the ICT sector, and the promotion of such “smart” technologies to other sectors.
Seek opportunities to support the transfer of these technologies and supporting best practice to developing countries. For example:
Proposed ITU pilot training project for the Ghana National Environmental Protection Agency and Vodafone Ghana to bring government and the private sector together to introduce energy efficient technologies and to further the implementation of national climate change adaptations actions
Creation of “ICT” Knowledge Networks to build communities of practice at regional and local level using examples such as:
Africa adapt network
Knowledge management for development network

13. Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
12. Contributing to and aligning emissions “accounting” standards and practice
Under the UNFCCC, governments have prioritized the focus of mitigation action and “accounting” on:
Energy, Transport, Industry, Agriculture, Forestry and land use, Waste management
ICT sector is cross-cutting and can contribute internationally and nationally:
ITU and UNFCCC secretariat began in to discuss relationships between standards and guidelines set under the Convention, and relevant standards set under the ITU.
ICT sector may also look nationally with UNFCCC focal points to understand national context and standards for reporting and how they may contribute.
Continue work to formalize standards related to energy efficiency, supply and performance as well as environmental impacts of ICTs.
Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) may also be a possibility.

14. Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
13. Finding the right roles for the ICT sector to support technology transfer for sustainable development
The UNFCCC encourages a:
Country-driven, integrated approach, at a national and sectoral level to further technology transfer.
Promotes contributions from the private sector, governments, the donor community, bilateral and multilateral institutions, non-governmental organizations and academic and research institutions.

15. Five areas of action for technology transfer may be explored:
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
Five areas of action for technology transfer may be explored:
Contributing to technology needs and needs assessments at national level
Supporting a global technology information exchange system
Providing advice, sharing information and expertise
Contributing to capacity-building
Exploring participation in the proposed Technology Mechanism and its Climate Technology Centre and Network that will be discussed at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Cancún in late November 2010

16. Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
14. Partnering with governments, UN and NGOs to further action on adaptation
UNFCCC “Nairobi Work Programme” seeks to:
Enhance capacity at international, regional, national, sectoral and local levels to further identify adaptation responses, and implement practical and effective adaptation actions
Enhance development, dissemination and use of knowledge from practical adaptation activities
Enhance cooperation among government, business, civil society

17. ITU has become a “Partner” in 2010 and may now make action pledges.
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
ICT sector has opportunity to build on its networks to improve communication and access to information in support of adaptation.
ITU has become a “Partner” in 2010 and may now make action pledges.
Possible examples of the types of actions are:
Projects like “mWomen” with GMSA Foundation and Cherie Blaire Foundation to provide women in developing countries with mobile phones to improve their lives and further sustainable development.
Or use such mobile technologies to provide farmers with weather information or early warning in case of disasters.

18. Working at national, corporate and international levels
Presentation title
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
Working at national, corporate and international levels
to support action on climate change