UNFCCC Guidelines in Reporting V&A Vute Wangwacharakul CGE member

Outline Review COP decision on V&A reporting Discuss general guidance for reporting Address reporting on Methods Vulnerability Adaptation Final thoughts

Decision 17/CP.8: Programs containing measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change 28 Provide information on the general descriptions of steps taken or envisaged towards formulating, implementing, publishing and regularly updating national and, when appropriate, regional programes containing measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change, and any other information they consider to be relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Convention and suitable for inclusion in their communications 29 In doing so, non-Annex I Parties should provide information on their vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change, and on adaptation measures being taken to meet their specific needs and concerns arising from these adverse effects

Decision 17/CP.8 Reporting Guidelines 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 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.

Decision 17/CP.8 Reporting Guidelines 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. 35. Non-Annex I Parties are encouraged to provide information on and, to the extent possible, an evaluation of, strategies and measures for adapting to climate change, in key areas, including those which are of the highest priority.

Decision 17/CP.8 Reporting Guidelines 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.

Communication: What For? Sharing and Exchange Information among Parties –Inventory helps understanding and update the situations –Description of steps taken or envisaged in implementing the Convention, informing the Convention of national circumstances, efforts or measures taken, problems and constraints encountered to achieve the objectives of the Convention –Main source of references for parties in the Convention process Public Information and Awareness Sustainable Development Process

Main Components Scope of V&A (areas covered, long-term, short-term) Approaches, Methods and tools (strength and weakness, particularly on uncertainties, scenarios used or developed) Results: information on –vulnerability to the impacts of, and their adaptation to, climate change in key vulnerable areas ) –key findings, and direct and indirect effects arising from climate change –integration analysis –an evaluation of, strategies and measures for adapting to climate change, in key areas Policy framework (programs, policies or measures etc)

First Thing: Remember Purpose Who is the audience for the NC? What kind of information do they need? How can it most effectively be presented to them?

Keep in Mind The NC should clearly communicate vulnerability and adaptation findings –Fine to describe methods and results of analyses –But, needs to synthesize and integrate results The NC should also clearly indicate –Who and what is vulnerable How that may vary across time and geographic region –Who will be adapting to climate change –What is needed to be done to adapt Where and when

Reporting on Methods National communications should include a description of methods used –Remembering that the audience may be nontechnical –The description should be concise –Details can be left to appendixes or supporting documents

Example: Methodology Discussion from INCs of PNG, RP and Gambia

Relative Direction, Magnitude, and Certainty of Impacts

Reporting on Vulnerabilities Clearly presenting results Presenting who and what is most vulnerable The key is –Organization –Clarity –Simplicity

INC of Malaysia on physical and econ impacts of sea level rise

Seychelles INC

Tanzania’s INC

Reporting Adaptation Results Present identified adaptations in a clear manner Evaluate or rank adaptations –Consider possible effectiveness within your country

INC of RP

Seychelles: Adaptations

South Africa: Evaluation

From Users Manual

Conclusions A clear synthesis and reporting of results is important Analytical methods exist for analyzing and ranking adaptations National Communications should report on –Methods –Vulnerabilities –Adaptation measures Simple methods for reporting results can be most effective in clearly communicating them