This event discussed the role of the Information Technology (IT) sector in delivering a clean energy economy through transformative solutions.

Gary Cook, Greenpeace International, introduced "Standards, Monitoring, Accounting, Rethinking, Tools" (SMART 2020) an initiative by the IT community in India to enable development of a low carbon economy through use of new IT solutions. He said use of IT could result in 15% reductions in global emissions by 2020 through the use of measures such as energy monitoring technology. He urged organizations like Facebook to build their technology infrastructures on clean energy. Cook said IT transformative solutions should be promoted at the policy level in order to fast track development in some countries.

Ray Pinto, Microsoft, said the ability to control energy use from household devices will enable users to reduce emissions in their homes. He explained that technology can be developed on cell phones and other electronic devices to contribute to reducing individual energy consumption. He said that by letting consumers send in their utility meter readings by text messages from smart phones, British Gas increased energy efficiency by 12%. Pinto highlighted “Eye On Earth” a global observatory by Microsoft which monitors air and water quality based on citizens’ observations. He emphasized that transformative technology can reduce energy use in developing countries, underscoring that Microsoft is working to create software and technology innovations that help people improve the environment.

Michael Terrell, Google, highlighted the importance of combining technology and data to empower individual technology users. He said climate policy challenges arise because of the disconnect between people and their energy use. He emphasized the need for energy information to be accessible and freely available and noted that being aware of energy consumption can lead to the use of energy saving measures by individuals.

Participants discussed, inter alia, the role of governments in developing energy efficient technology; and possible private sector investments to introduce IT transformative solutions in developing countries.

This event discussed the Adaptation Fund (AF) accreditation process for National Implementing Entities (NIEs). Farrukh Iqbal Khan, Adaptation Fund Board, presented on the current status and future of the Board’s work, saying the Board was in a “state of learning” but is accepting project proposals. He said the AF was the first direct access climate funding project in the world, but lamented that it is limited in nature, and expressed uncertainty about its ability to fund the 20 proposals it had received. He called for new ideas and new support, emphasizing that direct access builds capacity in developing countries.

Assize Toure, Centre du Suivi Ecologique (CSE), presented Senegal’s experience with NIE accreditation, noting it was accredited in March 2010. He said as an NIE, Senegal is empowered to switch from a “passive victim” to a dynamic actor in the fight against climate change. He described the role of CSE as working across sectors and cross-cutting environmental issues, highlighting a project on coastal erosion in vulnerable areas, which is likely to become part of Senegal’s National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA).

Hopeton Peterson, Planning Institute of Jamaica, discussed Jamaica’s accreditation experience, saying climate change is a development issue, not only an environmental issue for his country. He said Jamaica earned accreditation in September 2010 after demonstrating “competence” in: financial integrity and management; institutional capacity; transparency; self-investigative powers; and anti-corruption measures. He said currently Jamaica is in the formative stage of a climate change adaptation program.

Alejandra Mujica, Uruguay National Agency of Research and Innovation, described progress in development of science and policy in her country as an NIE. She noted the Timbó Portal, an open access science publication site, as one of the projects funded by the government, and also described a number of agency and sectoral funds used for climate change adaptation work. She said Uruguay received accreditation in September 2010.

Participants questioned, inter alia: the NIE eligibility rules; Small Island Developing States accreditation; and the ceiling of AF funding. On eligibility, Khan explained that the Board is “not afraid of making mistakes but is afraid of not knowing they are making mistakes.”

This event discussed recent research on climate finance. J. Timmons Roberts, Brown University, highlighted key issues for climate finance, including those related to mechanisms for raising, governing and delivering funds.

Benito Müller, University of Oxford, summarized the results of two recent papers on climate finance. He highlighted their recommendations for strengthening local governance of climate finance, and reported that between 7,500-12,000 new staff will be needed for the climate regime to process US$ 30 billion.

Axel Michaelowa, University of Zurich, discussed a study on reasons for “over-coding” development funding as mitigation funding. He concluded that self-reporting by donors without oversight is prone to bias, and called for a sensible baseline. Martin Stadelmann, University of Zurich, called for a realistic baseline for new and additional climate finance. He proposed various options, noting that depending on which baseline you choose, Fast Start financing can be anywhere from 0% to 100% new and additional.

David Ciplet, Brown University, discussed the extent to which countries are meeting their pledged commitments from Copenhagen. Highlighting that only 10.3 to 16.1% of pledges are specific to adaptation, he stressed that a more equitable balance between adaptation and mitigation funding is needed.

Saleemul Huq, IIED, discussed the need for recipient countries to have a say in how funds are used. He noted issues of double counting and called for a baseline for new and additional funding. Shardul Agrawala, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), discussed the information presented by the panel noting, inter alia, that “over-coding” should be measured in terms of budgets not projects since large projects tend to have tighter quality control that smaller ones.

Participants discussed, inter alia: the prospects for use of taxes; and examples of new and additional finance.

This event consisted of three panels highlighting mitigation actions in Asian and Pacific countries. Ursula Schaefer-Preuss, ADB, said Asia must reduce their emissions if the world wants to combat global warming.

The first panel discussed low carbon society (LCS) scenarios. Mikiko Kainuma, NIES, described LCS pathway models, explaining that NIES works with domestic research institutes. Priyadarshi Shukla, Indian Institute of Management, discussed India’s commitments, actions and drivers on LCS. He expressed optimism that India will offer a stronger emission reduction proposal than the current 20% reduction by 2020. Kejun Jiang, Energy Research Institute, China, highlighted that reduction in air pollutants is a significant co-benefit to LCS in China, and emphasized the importance of synergizing domestic climate and water policies.

The second panel discussed responses to climate change at the country level. Singgih Riphat, Indonesia, said his country is currently working on institution- and capacity building, and highlighted potential for geothermal development. Shafqat Kakakhel, Pakistan, discussed the impact of climate change on food and water security in Pakistan, highlighting potential for development of hydropower. Qingchen Chao, China, said her country has, among other thing, developed renewable energy, and enhanced carbon sink capabilities.

The third panel discussed carbon policy. Kazuhisa Koakutsu, IGES, presented on CDM reform saying the design of MRV systems needs to start with monitoring. Kentaro Tamura, IGES, presented results of stakeholder consultations on Asian domestic institutions’ opinions on NAMAs and MRVs. Kyoko Miwa, IGES, said the International Research Network for Low Carbon Societies (LCS-RNet), started by the G8 in 2009, integrates science into LCS policy processes and helps countries develop their own scenarios.