published by IISD, the International Institute for Sustainable  Development
in cooperation with UNFCCC

Jeanne Acacha Akoha, Benin, explains that Benin's agricultural sector is extremely vulnerable to climate change

New national communications from non-Annex I Parties
Presented by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Martha Perdomo, UNFCCC, highlighted that initial national communications have been received from 93 countries so far and said at least ten more are expected to be submitted by the end of the year.

Ermira Fida, Albania, noted that Albania submitted its initial national communication in September 2002 and highlighted relatively low per capita emissions. She stated that forests are a source of emissions as a result of poor forest management and noted that hydroelectric power accounts for 94% of the country's electricity. Fida emphasized climate change impacts in Albania, including increased temperatures, decreased precipitation, and a reduction of surface water flow and arable land. She underlined the importance of selecting qualified national experts and the need for awareness raising among policy makers.

Jeanne Acacha Akoha, Benin, noted that biomass accounts for 68% of her country's energy consumption. She highlighted the vulnerability of Benin's agricultural and coastal areas to climate change and described adaptation projects that were identified in the national communication, including coastal protection and improved public transportation. She explained that problems in preparing the national communication included insufficient data, low levels of national expertise, and lack of a useful model for vulnerability and adaptation studies. She recommended: helping developing countries meet their commitments under the Convention; strengthening national capacities; and creating a database on climate change in least developed countries.

Left to right: Ermira Fida, Albania; Javier Blanco, Colombia; and Emily Ojoo-Massawa, Kenya

Javier Blanco, Colombia, noted the increasing trend in Colombia's emissions but underscored that they represented only 0.25% of global emissions in 1990. He stated that coastal ecosystems and more than half of Colombia's population may be affected by permanent flooding as a result of climate change, and highlighted possible drastic changes to the hydrological regime of the Amazon basin. Drawing attention to Colombia's vulnerability to malaria and dengue, he stressed the need for strengthening health services.

Emily Ojoo-Massawa, Kenya, emphasized that Kenya is a net absorber of carbon dioxide (CO2). She underscored the vulnerability of crops, livestock, and water and marine resources in Kenya, and said the most significant climate change impact may be extreme events. She noted the development of radio programmes to increase public awareness on climate change.

More information:
http://unfccc.int/resource/natcom/

Contact:
Martha Perdomo: mperdomo@unfccc.int
Ermira Fida: mirafida@icc.al.EU.organization
Jeanne Acacha Akoha: jakoha@mehubenin.net
Emily Massawa: climate@nbnet.co.ke

Suk-Hoon Woo explains recommendations from the Asian Workshop on Climate Technology Information and Needs Assessment

Information in support of development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies
Presented by the UNFCCC

Jukka Uosukainen, Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) stressed the World Summit on Sustainable Development's emphasis on technology transfer, and noted that issues still to be addressed by the EGTT include information dissemination, outreach to appropriate users, and ensuring correct and user-friendly information.

Iulian Vladu, UNFCCC, introduced the UNFCCC Technology Information System (TT:CLEAR), a web-based information system aimed at enhancing access to and flow of updated information on environmentally sound technologies. He noted various problems related to technology transfer information and proposed possible future steps.

William Agyemang-Bonsu, EGTT, presented the objectives of and topics covered by the EGTT's Asian Workshop on Climate Technology Information and Needs Assessment held at Beijing in April 2002, including the identification of steps to improve access to and design of a clearinghouse network, assessment of technology needs, and implementation of technology transfer.

More information:
http://www.ttclear.unfccc.int
http://www.uneptie.org/energy
http://wwww.teriin.org
http://www.gefweb.org

Contacts:
Jukka Uosukainen: jukka.uosukainen@ymparisto.fi
Iulian Vladu: ivladu@unfccc.int
William Agyemang-Bonsu: wbonsu@epaghana.org
Mark Radka: mark.radka@unep.fr
Eric Martinot: emartinot@worldbank.org
Pradeep Dadhich: pdadhich@teri.res.in

Ongunlade Davidson, ERDC, highlights the importance of developing energy capacity in Africa as a primary measure for mitigating and adapting to climate change

Randall Spalding-Fecher

Developing energy solutions for climate change: An African perspective
Presented by the Energy Development and Research Centre (EDRC)

Ogunlade Davidson, EDRC, highlighted the importance of energy development, stressing that a strong energy sector is the key to developing sufficient capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Davidson emphasized that Africa holds vast opportunities for energy development and that the first step in addressing climate change in Africa is to develop these opportunities.

Moussa Cisse, ENDA-TM, spoke on policies, measures and outcomes regarding the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Senegal. He noted that through incentives and subsidies encouraging the equitable distribution, local engagement, and the promotion of LPG equipment, LPG-use has proliferated and desertification, pressure on wood resources, and environmental degradation have been reduced.

Randall Spalding-Fecher, EDRC, explained that low per capita emissions, minimal foreign direct investment and overseas development assistance, and poor electricity infrastructures would reduce opportunities for CDM projects in Africa. He suggested that the bundling of CDM projects may be the most viable option available and recommended the use of 'sectoral CDM' projects that focus on sectors within a country as opposed to specific projects, and sustainable development policies and measures that aim to achieve development goals with ancillary climate benefits.

Davidson then concluded the session by focusing on activities to convert gas flaring to energy as opportunities for reducing emissions while increasing African energy capacities. He stated that 71% of gas produced in Africa is flared as waste and called for regional approaches, new financial mechanisms, opportunities through the UNFCCC, and incentives to employ technology to turn this waste into energy.

More information:
http://www.edrc.uct.ac.za
http://www.enda.sn

Contact:
Ogunlade Davidson: ogunlade@energetic.uct.ac.za
Moussa Cisse: energy2@enda.sn
Randall Spalding-Fecher: randall@energetic.uct.ac.za

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) on the side is a special publication of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. This issue has been written by Fiona Koza fiona@iisd.org, Charlotte Salpin charlotte@iisd.org,  and Hugh Wilkins hugh@iisd.org.  The Digital Editor is David Fernau david@iisd.org the photographers are David Fernau and Leila Mead leila@iisd.org,  the online assistant is Diego Noguera diego@iisd.org.  Funding for publication of ENB on the side at UNFCCC COP-8 is provided by the UNFCCC Secretariat. The opinions expressed in ENB on the side are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and DONATE. Excerpts from ENB on the side may be used in non-commercial publications only and only with appropriate academic citation. For permission to use this material in commercial publications, contact the Managing Editor at kimo@iisd.org.  Electronic versions of issues of ENB on the side from UNFCCC COP-8 can be found on the Linkages website at http://enb.iisd.org/climate/cop8/enbots/