Climate Change global phenomenon, impacts directly or indirectly on all the inhabitants of the world disadvantaged poor and marginalized populations at the grassroots (often residing in rural areas) that bear the brunt of the adverse impacts of climate change.,

Factors contributing to inability to cope Perception by governments that climate change issues are not as important and are therefore accorded low priority and not integrated in government development plans, policies and activities.

FACTORS CONT. Dwindling national resources and high levels of poverty prevalent in most rural areas is a major impediment to tackling climate change impacts effectively. In fact, poverty perpetuates climate change impacts and vice versa.

FACTORS CONT. Rural populations are more dependent on the natural ecosystems around them for their livelihoods e.g., for food, agriculture, fishing, forestry products and services, grazing ranges, etc. Consequently, any interference with their surrounding natural ecosystems due to climate change (or otherwise) directly impacts on them.

FACTORS CONT. Marginalized groups are often excluded from climate change debates because they are not major emitters.

FACTORS CONT. Inadequate capacity (i.e., technical, financial and institutional) targeting mitigation and adaptation activities on climate change impacts in rural areas has seriously eroded their capacity to respond to those impacts effectively, as well as their resilience.

FACTORS CONT. General ignorance (lack of awareness) and lack of interest by the public on climate change issues.

Adaptation Whilst mitigation is important and should be addressed, the potentially devastating impacts of climate change on livelihoods in Africa make adaptation the top priority for Africa.

Funding What are the best means of securing adequate and predictable funding for implementing practical adaptation activities?

Adaptation Fund Decision 10/CP.7 established an Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol. The fund is primarily financed through the Share of Proceeds (SOP) on the CDM and also through voluntary contributions. The objective of establishing the fund was to finance concrete adaptation projects in developing countries as well as activities under para 8 of 5/CP.7 (adverse impacts).

Clean Development Mechanism lack of CDM projects in sub-saharan Africa and the resulting imbalance in the geographical distribution of the CDM. WHY a lack of enabling CDM investment environments; inadequate access to commercial credit; low level of fossil fuel use resulting in few opportunities to reduce emissions; the rapidly closing CDM investment window for pre-2012 credits which makes projects from less risky regions than Africa more attractive to international investors.

CDM What can be done to boost the number of CDM projects in regions with relatively few registered projects, particularly in Africa? How much can be learnt from existing CDM projects in Africa? Can this knowledge be used to build the capacity of African institutions?

African Position That the issue of the inequitable geographical distribution of the CDM in Africa should be given appropriate consideration by Parties and observers at COP12/MOP2; The need to improve procedures and adoption of rules and methodologies conducive to projects in the areas of methane avoidance (e.g. composting), methane capture and flaring, non- renewable biomass, bundling of small-scale project activities, and programmes CDM;

CDM The rules of the CDM need to be reviewed, particularly those related to: The baseline for the non-renewable biomass; Flexibility in the application of rules on a project by project basis.

CDM That International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and donors to step up capacity- building efforts using learning-by-doing approaches that bring African CDM projects to market as they build necessary capacities in Designated National Authorities, and relevant public and private sectors ;

Financial Mechanism Access to funding has been a major problem for African countries. The advent of the Resource Allocation Framework (RAF) does not auger well for the region. Long standing concerns with regard to co financing also need to be sorted out during COP 12. The need to operationalise the SCCF and the adequacy of funds under the LDCF are also issues to be addressed. Position Points Difficulties in accessing GEF funds; Resource Allocation Framework Difficulties with co-financing- ratio of co-financing;

Deforestation The issue of support for forest management and associated avoided emissions is an important element for the future. African Position Recognition of past and present efforts in protecting Tropical Forests Resources for example the Congo Basin Initiatives which contribute significantly to global carbon sink; Multilateral sources Public and private partnerships Payment for environmental services Market mechanisms

Technology Transfer Technology is accepted by virtually all as a critical component of addressing climate change, for both adaptation and mitigation. Poor access to technology persists and there is little progress on technology transfer agreements. A key barrier is the intellectual property rights regime.

Sustainable Development

Capacity Building Capacity building activities were consolidated into an overall framework in Marrakesh. With the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, capacity building activities are now separated under the Convention and the Protocol.

African position: Capacity Building Capacity building is a priority for African countries; Efforts should be put towards monitoring the implementation of the capacity building framework.

Other issues The material produced during the African Negotiators workshop held in Naivasha is available, and could inform the participants further Thank you.