Guidelines on Climate Data Management

This technical document includes guidelines aimed at providing National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (NMHS) with information on best practice climate data management with some emphasis on building knowledge and capacity in: the phases and stages of managing computerized data; available database technologies and selecting an appropriate database; making the transition to a modern climate database system; and sustaining data management operations.

Download file: ENG, FRE, SPN

Organization: WMO

Topic: Science, Technology

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2007

Language: English, French, Spanish

Guidelines on Climate Watches

This technical document describes the current status of Climate Watches, the concept of Climate Watch, and guidelines for establishing, operating and evaluating Climate Watches. The main goal of a Climate Watch is to provide information about significant anomalies for the forthcoming season(s) that may have substantial impacts on a regional scale. Some examples of Climate Watches are included in this report. The guidelines are intended to provide guidance in the form of good practices that can be used by Members.

Download file: ENG

Organization: WMO

Topic: Science, Technology

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2005

Language: English

Guide to Climatological Practices

This manual is designed to provide guidance and assistance to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Members in developing national activities linked to climate information and services. This third edition of the manual describes basic principles and modern practices important in the development and implementation of all climate services, and outlines methods of best practice in climatology. It is intended to describe concepts and considerations, and provides references to other technical guidance and information sources, rather than attempting to be all-inclusive in the guidance presented.

Download file: ENG

Organization: WMO

Topic: Environment, Science, Ecosystems

Type of material: Guidance Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Technical Cooperation: Success Stories

The activity report aims to: show how relatively small interventions can make a significant difference in human lives if there is a clear objective, strong commitment and genuine partnership; inspire replication of success stories in different contexts and/or at a larger scale; and document best practices, drawing on the findings of external evaluations. All success stories follow the same structure, namely the challenge faced, the actions taken, the results achieved, and the future plans, to demonstrate the continuity of the development process and its long-term benefits. Success stories include technical cooperation concerning: technology for bringing unused forest materials into efficient economic use as biomas; energy efficiency investment projects for climate change mitigation; and biodiversity conservation in projects supporting transboundary cooperation.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNECE

Topic: Forestry, Energy, Water, Adaptation, Mitigation, Technology, Biodiversity, Ecosystems

Type of material: Activity Report

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Bhutan National Human Development Report 2011: Sustaining Progress – Rising to the Climate Challenge

This analytical report notes that climate change is threatening the economic and human development gains that contribute to Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) and that building resilience is crucial to safeguard the livelihoods of about a quarter of the Bhutanese population who depend on subsistence farming and natural resources. Bhutan has committed to environmental conservation and to remain a carbon neutral country. The report underlines that due to an export ban on unprocessed forest timber and the constitutional protection of 60% of the country’s forest cover, Bhutan has maintained its status as a net sink for greenhouse gases (GHGs). Nevertheless, it warns that melting of the country’s glaciers can lead to water shortages in the future and jeopardize the hydropower sector, which the economy is dependent on.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNDP, Gross National Happiness Commission Secretariat, Royal Government of Bhutan

Topic: Energy, Water, Adaptation, Mitigation, Human Security

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation – Transport Sector

This manual is designed to assist the development of sustainable transport services and facilities at the local level. It provides transport options that not only minimise greenhouse gas emissions, but also offer a host of other economic, social and environmental benefits. These can enable the transport systems of developing countries to play their part in the attainment of national goals: to develop economies, to create jobs, to reduce poverty and inequality, to produce more food, to improve health and education, and in general to ensure that citizens can live healthy and satisfying lives.

Download file: ENG

Organization: GEF, UNEP

Topic: Transport, Mitigation, Green Jobs/Economy, Technology, Policy Instruments

Type of material: Guidance Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Technologies for Climate Change Adaptation – The Water Sector

This manual aims to provide expert information on the technologies most relevant for climate change adaptation in the water sector in developing countries. It is meant to be a practical tool for use by a broad range of stakeholders, including those in governmental agencies, water utilities, community water boards, non-governmental organizations, and private sector companies. The guidebook first reviews the projected impacts of climate change on the water sector. It then addresses the role of adaptation in the water sector and six typologies under which available strategies are categorized. Eleven technologies and practices are given detailed treatment in this guidebook and four others are
covered briefly.

Download file: ENG

Organization: GEF, UNC Water Institute, UNEP, UNC Water Institute

Topic: Water, Adaptation, Technology

Type of material: Guidance Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Technologies for Climate Change Adaptation – Agriculture Sector

This manual provides a systematic analysis of the most relevant information available on climate change adaptation technologies in the agriculture sector. A set of 22 adaptation technologies are showcased. These are based primarily on the principles of agroecology, but also include scientific technologies of climate and biological sciences complemented by important sociological and institutional capacity building processes that are required for climate change to function. It includes recommendations for practitioners and policy makers.

Download file: ENG

Organization: GEF, Practical Action, UNEP, Practical Action

Topic: Agriculture and Food, Land Use Management, Adaptation, Technology, Governance – General, Capacity Development

Type of material: Guidance Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

CDM PDD Guidebook: Navigating the Pitfalls – Third Edition

This manual is designed to help readers navigate the pitfalls of preparing a Project Design Document (PDD) and a Monitoring Report (MR) for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. This third edition also aims at helping project developers navigate the pitfalls of preparing documentation required for CDM Programme of Activities (PoAs). The PDD is an important part of the registration of a CDM project, and the basis for its recognition as a credible CDM project. In particular, it explains how the project intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below those levels that would otherwise have been emitted.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNEP, Det Norske Veritas, European Commission

Topic: Mitigation, Public Participation, Financial Mechanisms, Carbon Financing and CDM

Type of material: Guidance Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Bridging the Divide Between Poverty Reduction and Climate Change through Sustainable and Innovative Energy Technologies: Scaling up Sustainable Energy Innovations that Can Address Climate Change Concerns and Poverty Reduction Needs

This technical document highlights the need to bridge the divide between climate change and poverty reduction through innovative energy technologies and to bring about transformational impacts to address these dual challenges. The aim is not to provide a comprehensive listing of all available/existing energy technologies and options that can address poverty reduction and climate change concerns; rather the study focuses on select examples and applications with the potential for broad applicability in varied settings. The document argues that providing financing for innovative ideas, low-cost, low-emission, and pro-poor technologies are effective measures to harness their potential.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNDP

Topic: Economic and Development Planning, Energy, Mitigation, Green Jobs/Economy, Technology

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2009

Language: English

Reforming Energy Subsidies: Opportunities to Contribute to the Climate Change Agenda

This analytical report aims to raise awareness of the various types of energy subsidies, their size and impact and the direct relationship with climate change and sustainable development. It summarises, in non-technical language, the issues and challenges in removing or modifying subsidies on energy that undermine the pursuit of sustainable development.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNEP

Topic: Economic and Development Planning, Energy, Mitigation, Economic Analysis, Policy Instruments

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2008

Language: English

Climate Change and the World Bank Group – Phase I: An Evaluation of World Bank Win-Win Energy Policy Reforms (Summary)

This technical document includes the first of a series of evaluations that seeks lessons from the World Bank Group’s experience on how to carve out a sustainable growth path. It assesses the World Bank experience with key win-win policies in the energy sector: removal of energy subsidies and promotion of end- use energy efficiency.

Download file: ENG

Organization: WB

Topic: Energy, Public Participation, Policy Instruments, Financial Mechanisms

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2008

Language: English

Analysis of Technology Transfer in CDM Projects

This technical document analyzes the claims of technology transfer made by project participants in the project design documents for 3296 registered and proposed CDM projects. Roughly 36% of the projects accounting for 59% of the annual emission reductions claim to involve technology transfer. Among other findings, the report observes that technology transfer is more common for larger projects and projects with foreign participants; technology transfer is very heterogeneous across project types and usually involves both knowledge and equipment; and the technology originates mostly from Japan, Germany, the USA, France, and Great Britain.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNFCCC

Topic: Mitigation, Technology, Carbon Financing and CDM

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2008

Language: English

Financing Energy Efficiency Investments for Climate Change Mitigation Project: Investor Interest and Capacity Building Needs

The technical document asseses the financial environment, project development and finance capacities, and investor interest of the participating countries (Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Ukraine) of the Financing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Investments for Climate Change Mitigation (FEEI) project, as well as business development course programme to provide necessary capacity-building. The FEEI project aims at developing investment projects and strengthening capacities for development of energy efficiency; providing assistance to national and municipal authorities to introduce reforms needed to support investment projects; and supporting banks and commercial companies to invest in these projects through professionally managed investment funds.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNECE

Topic: Energy, Mitigation, Green Jobs/Economy, Governance – General, Capacity Development, Financial Mechanisms

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2009

Language: English

World Development Report 2010 : Development and Climate Change

This analytical report explores how public policy can change to better help people cope with new or worsened risks, how land and water management must adapt to better protect a threatened natural environment while feeding an expanding and more prosperous population, and how energy systems will need to be transformed. It also examines how to integrate development realities into climate policy ─ in international agreements, in instruments to generate carbon finance, and in steps to promote innovation and the diffusion of new technologies.

Download file: ENG

Topic: Economic and Development Planning, Land Use Management, Energy, Water, Science, Adaptation, Mitigation, Technology, Risk Reduction/Management, International Law and Policy, Governance – General, Financial Mechanisms

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2010

Language: English

Managing Change in the Marshlands: Iraq’s Critical Challenge

This analytical report underlines that Marshlands area in Iraq is currently subject to a series of threats, including upstream water management, climate change, competition over land and resources, economic development and demographic pressure. According to the report, to address those threats a policy framework should be developed that enables the sustainable development of the Marshlands and addresses trade-offs among current and future uses of the Marshlands, such as those between agricultural production and water quality, land use and biodiversity, development of oil industry water use and aquatic biodiversity.

Download file: ENG

Organization: FAO, UNAMI, UNDP, UNAMI, UNEP, UNAMI, UNESCO, UNAMI, UNHABITAT, UNAMI, UNICEF, UNAMI, WHO, UNAMI

Topic: Land Use Management, Water, Environment, Science, Adaptation, Biodiversity, Ecosystems

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Climate Change Starter’s Guidebook: An Issues Guide for Education Planners and Practitioners

This manual is intended to serve as a starting point for mainstreaming climate change education into curricula lesson plans and programs. Aimed towards education planners and practitioners, the guidebook is designed to provide support in developing the understanding of the science of climate change, observed and anticipated impacts, and possible responses. It also covers the impacts on society, including poverty, health, migration, gender and ethics. It includes a section on responding to climate change, focusing on mitigation and adaptation, as well as international responses.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNEP, WHO, UNESCO, WHO

Topic: Economic and Development Planning, Education, Health, Adaptation, Migration and Refugees, Mitigation, Risk Reduction/Management, Science, COP22 List of UN Publications, COP23 List of UN Publications, Governance – General, Capacity Development

Type of material: Guidance Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into Development Planning: A Guide for Practitioners

This manual provides practical, step-by-step guidance on how governments and other national actors can mainstream climate change adaptation into development planning as part of broader mainstreaming efforts. The guide draws on substantial experience and lessons learned by the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative in working with governments to integrate environmental management for pro-poor economic growth and development into national development planning and decision-making.

Download file: ENG

Topic: Economic and Development Planning, Environment, Adaptation, Governance – General, Policy Instruments

Type of material: Guidance Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

At the Crossroads: Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia and the Pacific – A Review of the Region’s Institutional and Policy Landscape

This analytical report was prepared to provide a snapshot of how disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) are undertaken and integrated in the Asia Pacific region. It does so by taking stock of past and ongoing regional initiatives and by looking into the role of certain organizations in the implementation process. It also discusses key developments in three areas—political, policy and institutional—which are instrumental in facilitating the integration of DRR and CCA agendas in the region. Concluding remarks and next steps to push the integration forward are presented in the last section.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNISDR, OCHA, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCAP, ISDR Asia Partnership, UN Regional Coordination Mechanism, Adaptation Knowledge Platform

Topic: Adaptation, Risk Reduction/Management, Governance – General, Policy Instruments

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English

Sustaining Forests: Investing in Our Common Future

This analytical report outlines the different types of value that forests have, and summarizes policy and market approaches that can be used for sustainable forest management. Forests provide public good such as water and carbon regulation as well as tradeable goods such as timber, fibre, biomass and non-timber forest products that are an important part of the green economy. They also act as a source of livelihood, natural insurance, adaptation, employment and health services. Focusing on forests helps draw attention to the importance of creating a green economy at the local, regional and global levels.

Download file: ENG

Organization: UNEP

Topic: Economic and Development Planning, Forestry, Adaptation, Mitigation, Green Jobs/Economy, Ecosystems, Governance – General, Policy Instruments, Financial Mechanisms

Type of material: Analytical-Technical Document

Publication date: 2011

Language: English