Biblioteca

This technical document contains a compilation of information on ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation. With a synthesis of the state of knowledge, this document provides an overview of how ecosystems can play a role in helping people adapt to climate change, through the compilation of examples and relevant knowledge products, and a discussion of issues related to the understanding and implementation of such approaches.

This activity report contains information on support provided to developing country Parties and activities undertaken to strengthen existing and, where needed, establish national and regional systematic observation and monitoring networks, based on information contained in the relevant submissions from Parties and information contained in the fifth national communications of Parties included in Annex I to the Convention.

This analytical report presents the lessons learned through the Climate Change Adaptation and Development Programme (CC DARE), which provides a variety of concrete solutions to move countries and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development. It demonstrates how integrating adaptation into national development policies can strengthen and enhance the resilience of countries and communities against the impacts of climate change, while contributing to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It introduces the experience of 11 countries including Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.

This technical document aims to assess the CDM’s overall use and effectiveness. It analyzes the claims made by project participants in the project design documents (PDDs) of 3,276 CDM projects that were registered by the CDM Executive Board on or before 31 July 2011. It focuses specifically on three issues: sustainable development benefits associated with CDM projects, technology transfer prompted by CDM projects, and investment flows generated by CDM projects. The results have been compared with other studies to identify common trends and issues.

This technical document includes the annual compilation and accounting reports after completion of the initial review under Article 8 of the Kyoto Protocol. The document, in addition to the key initial accounting parameters, has also contained annual information on: (a) total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the sources listed in Annex A to the Kyoto Protocol; (b) GHG emissions and removals from land use, land-use change and forestry activities under Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Kyoto Protocol, and elected activities under Article 3, paragraph 4, of the Kyoto Protocol; and (c) transactions and holdings of Kyoto Protocol units. Information is based on the 2011 Parties’ submission as at 24 October 2011.

This technical document discusses the identification and implementation of medium and long-term adaptation activities in the least developed countries. It builds on the experiences gained from implementing the least developed countries work programme, in particular on the preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs). It provides an account of how elements of the preparation of NAPAs can help inform medium- and long-term adaptation. It contains case studies of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Malawi as well as experiences of other developing and developed countries and multilateral programmes.

This technical document presents national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory data for the period 1990-2009. Information in this document is based on national GHG inventory submissions received as at 24 October 2011. It notices that, total aggregate GHG emissions excluding emissions/removals from land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) for all Annex I parties decreased by 11.5%, and total GHG emissions/removals including LULUCF decreased by 17.6%. For Annex I Parties with economies in transition (Annex I EIT Parties), GHG emissions excluding and including LULUCF decreased by 41.4% and 54.4%, respectively. For Annex I non-EIT parties, GHG emissions excluding LULUCF increased by 2.1% and GHG emissions including LULUCF increased by 0.6%.

This policy document contains draft recommendations of the Transitional Committee (TC) for the design of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This report of the TC was considered by the TC at its fourth and final meeting, on 16-18 October 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa, and is submitted to the COP at its seventeenth session for its consideration and approval, in accordance with the relevant provisions of decision 1/CP.16 and its appendix III.

This activity report contains a description of the proceedings of an expert meeting on forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels for implementation of activities for REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks) which was held from 14-15 November 2011, in Bonn, Germany. It summarizes the presentations that were made, and presents the main points and outcomes of the discussions.

This technical document is the summary of the report “The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture”. This publication notes that, while food production has increased dramatically across the world over the past 50 years, it has often been associated with management practices resulting in land and water degradation. Coupled with a growing world population, this degradation poses significant risks to food security. The report calls for improved efficiency of water use, better knowledge development and training, the integration of climate-smart production models, increased investment in agricultural development and harmonization of national policies and actions.

This analytical report aims to discuss how the entire food sector, from the farmer’s field to the consumer’s plate, can become more ‘energy-smart’. Becoming energy-smart will require a transformation along the food chain that involves: relying more on low-carbon energy systems and using energy more efficiently; strengthening the role of renewable energy within food systems; providing greater access to modern energy services for development, and at the same time supporting the achievement of national food security and sustainable development goals. It provides examples of energy-smart practices for both small-and large-scale enterprises and covers the entire food sector.

This policy brief explores the concepts of REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks) as a source of investment for green development. It explains that REDD+ investments maintain natural capital, keeping it from being converted to financial or physical capital. It furthers the idea that REDD+ is a natural capital-led investment strategy, and argues that it provides an opportunity for change to green development. The brief outlines recommendations for creating a roadmap for REDD+ in the context of green development.

This brief describes monitoring and assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigation potentials in agriculture. It briefly presents the FAO’s approach to developing a database of data and analysis that will facilitate financing through the Green Climate Fund via the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). It also states that the database will be linked to an online portal that will include information on life cycle analysis of agricultural production systems to allow countries to determine where they can reduce emissions most effectively.

This brief describes the goals of climate-smart agriculture to increase productivity and incomes, increase the resilience of ecosystems contribute to mitigation and enhance food, nutrition and energy security. It notes that traditional barriers remain that impinge on agricultural development, but that there is an opportunity to integrate adaptation and mitigation approaches. It also stresses the importance of functioning institutional arrangements and multi-sectoral coordination and a link to national processes.

This technical document presents initial results from a satellite-based remote sensing survey, showing new information on forest area declines between 1990 and 2005. It shows that net forest loss increased from 4.1 million hectares per year between 1990 and 2000 to 6.4 million hectares between 2000 and 2005. However, in updating forest information for Africa, the results show a much smaller rate of forest loss than previously estimated based on national reports. The highest forest loss occurred in the tropics between 1990 and 2005, with net losses particularly high in South America and Africa, while extensive planting offsets deforestation losses in Asia.

This analytical report explores policies, incentives and options for the rural poor in the Miombo woodlands of southern Africa in the context of a changing climate, growing food insecurity and increasing demand for woodfuel and charcoal. It points to four areas for reform: embracing decentralization and devolution within policies and institutions; fostering markets for local products and services to encourage good management; switching the emphasis from regulation of use to delivery of services, to empower local people to become better woodland users and managers; and keeping in mind the cost of deforestation and degradation to rural populations.

This analytical report analyses and presents how climate change affects or will likely affect wild animals and their habitats. It states that there is growing evidence that climate change significantly exacerbates other major human-induced pressures such as encroachment, deforestation, forest degradation, land-use change, pollution and overexploitation of wildlife resources. Case studies are presented that describe some of the body of evidence, in some instances, and provide projections of likely scenarios, in others.

This analytical report brings attention to the threats to mountain forests, including increasing temperatures and wildfires, population growth and food and fuel insecurity. The report notes that expansion of intensive agriculture has pushed smallholder farmers higher up slopes to marginal areas, and that climate change is likely to facilitate more rapid expansion of damaging pests. It also highlights the important role mountain forests play as sources of fresh water for cities. It calls on national policymakers to take the protection of mountain forests into account and integrate these concerns into climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.

This technical document presents the findings of a mapping process analyzing climate trends over a 24 to 36-year period in 17 countries, from the Atlantic coast to Chad. In particular, it identifies 19 “climate hotspots” where climatic changes have been the most severe. Several of the identified hotspots that have been most impacted by flooding, are located in the central part of the Sahel, in Niger, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Key recommendations presented in the document include: adopting migration and conflict-sensitive adaptation policies; promoting regional environmental cooperation in addressing climate change, migration and conflict; rooting national adaptation policies in the Green Economy and promoting the creation of green jobs; strengthening preventive action; and using conflict and/or migration risk to prioritize investments and build donor commitment to long-term engagement in the Sahel.

This analytical report states that investing in low carbon, green technologies can strengthen climate change adaptation and improve women’s livelihoods. It calls for designing adaptation programmes with a focus on gender equity, due to the key roles women play in agriculture, forest economies, biodiversity and other sectors, particularly in developing countries. It also recommends increased investments in green, labor-saving technologies, including irrigation systems or water harvesting, which can improve the quality of life and increase the productivity of female farm workers while benefiting the environment, through replacing fuel wood often collected by women with cleaner fuel alternatives.