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This technical document performs a spatial analysis of Mozambique’s Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) policy framework to assess the impact of local government-level ICT on the poor. Given the socio-economic importance of Mozambique’s coastal cities and their susceptibility to regular climate hazards, the country’s ICT policy framework is evaluated by analyzing the efficacy of the aforementioned ICT tools along a dimension that disproportionately affects the poor more, namely vulnerability to flooding – a reality worsening each year due to the effects of climate change. The objective of conducting this case study on Mozambique is to uncover the pattern of municipal ICT impact that may exist in other low-capacity countries with analogous political economy structures in relation to leveraging ICT in public sectors. The study concludes by suggesting measures to link the continent’s ICT boom in citizen-based mobile telephony and internet usage with the rapid rise of public sector ICT phenomena as a promising means to plug service delivery gaps.

This technical document analyzes the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and argues that it is time to rethink the approach to promoting emissions reduction in developing countries with a view to bringing them in better alignment with reductions undertaken in developed countries. It stresses that while CDM promotes emissions reduction in developing countries, it does not reduce the global cost of reduction. It only shifts the burden of investment.

This technical document includes a synthesis and assessment of the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories submitted in 2012. Part I provides information to allow comparisons of GHG inventory data across Annex I Parties, as well as descriptions of common methodological issues. Part II provides a preliminary analysis of individual Annex I Party inventories. In particular, it identifies outstanding issues requiring clarification during the individual review stage of the process. The document contains GHG inventory information compiled in tabular format. The tables provide comparisons of implied emission factors and activity data as reported in the common reporting format, data from international sources, emissions, information on methods used and emission factors as reported by parties.

This analytical report provides an overview of the published scientific literature (primarily peer-reviewed, but also grey) relating to the contribution of traditional/indigenous knowledge to our understanding of global climate change: observations, impacts and opportunities for adaptation.

This booklet reflects on the outcomes of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In particular, it includes 12 questions and answers on forestry, climate change and reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation plus sustainable management of forests, conservation, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). The responses have been elaborated by twelve climate change and forestry experts gathered in Bali, Indonesia to discuss the implications on the forestry sector in the Asia-Pacific region of decisions taken at COP 15, held on 7-18 December 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

This booklet reflects on the outcomes of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In particular, it includes 13 questions and answers on forestry, climate change and reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation plus sustainable management of forests, conservation, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). The responses have been elaborated by thirteen climate change and forestry experts gathered in Quezon City, Philippines, to discuss the implications on the forestry sector in the Asia-Pacific region of decisions taken at COP 17, held in Durban, South Africa, in November and December 2011.

This analytical report argues that sustained growth is necessary to achieve the urgent development needs of the world’s poor and that there is substantial scope for growing cleaner without growing slower. It highlights that green growth is necessary, efficient, and affordable. This is seen as the only way to reconcile the rapid growth required to bring developing countries to the level of prosperity to which they aspire with the needs of the more than 1 billion people still living in poverty and the imperative of a better managed environment.

This technical document presents the results of a survey through which forest stakeholders provided their views and perceptions on factors that influence the ability of forest managers to respond to climate change. This survey was conducted to facilitate the development of guidelines to assist forest managers to effectively respond to climate change challenges and opportunities. These guidelines will include actions related to both climate change adaptation and mitigation and will be relevant to all types of forests, all management objectives and all types of managers.

This technical document argues that the 2010 Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) 6 decision to introduce the concept of standardized sectoral baselines into the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and extended at CMP 7 in 2011 (Durban, South Africa), could also have a substantial impact on the further evolution of the CDM and its regulation. It is argued that this impact could be even more meaningful if the standardization could be broadened beyond the setting of baselines and applied to the requirements of CDM procedures and project cycle. The study suggests that the current body of procedures and the project cycle of the CDM still contain some serious bottlenecks that prevent the efficient and robust assessment of the projects applying for carbon crediting. Tackling these bottlenecks through the use of standardized assessments, avoiding double-checks, and increasing the predictability of the process, can have an important positive impact on the efficiency of the CDM.

This analytical report brings together information, analyses, and conclusions on issues relevant to the design and implementation of national REDD+ strategies. It aims to promote a discussion on the role of community forest management as a strategic option to promote REDD+ goals, and, conversely, on ways REDD+ can foster community management of forests, both in theory and in practice. The results presented here are based on a fact-finding mission to Brazil by policy makers and experts from six African countries, in February 2011. Key issues related to REDD+ were addressed in seminars, field visits and workshops during a 10-day journey.

This technical document provides mayors, governors, councillors and other local government leaders with a generic framework for risk reduction and points to good practices and tools that are already being applied in different cities for that purpose. It discusses why building disaster resilience is beneficial; what kind of strategies and actions are required; and how to go about the task. It also offers practical guidance to understand and take action on the “Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient” as set out in the global campaign “Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready!”. The objectives of the campaign are to increase understanding and encourage commitment by local and national governments to make disaster risk reduction and resilience and climate change a policy priority and to bring the global Hyogo Framework closer to local needs.

This manual aims to support least developed countries (LDCs) in designing the implementation of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs), and to guide country teams in accessing existing funding from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) for implementing their NAPAs. In particular, the guide was developed to address the obstacles that LDC Parties face in accessing the LDCF. It has been developed for a very specific audience, in particular, the LDC NAPA teams, including officers in government agencies and the non-governmental community, as they plan the implementation of NAPAs, and Global Environment Facility (GEF) agency officers working on NAPA projects at the country level.

This manual assists United Nations (UN) facility managers in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings. It identifies various ways in which energy can be saved in buildings as well as contains simple tips on implementing energy efficiency measures and carbon management. It also provides further information sources on energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as best practice examples.

This manual aims to assist United Nations (UN) organization offices in becoming ‘climate friendly’, meaning that offices will generate lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during their operation than would be standard practice. With the UN currently maintaining offices in more than 530 locations worldwide, the guide is a resource for all those who are interested in energy efficient buildings. Though primarily aimed at assisting UN facility and property managers, this manual is also applicable to other building mangers who are looking to reduce office-related energy and GHG emissions.

This analytical report provides an overview of current knowledge of greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. The report states that the building sector presents the largest single opportunity for improved energy efficiency. It is estimated that at present buildings contribute as much as one third of total greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through the use of fossil fuels during their operational phase. Furthermore, evidence based recommendations are given to encourage action and commitment to energy efficient buildings, which are of interest to all parties involved in pursuing climate neutrality.

This technical document examines energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in the building sector. In particular, it assesses and compares the most important policy instruments for achieving energy efficiency improvements and GHG emission reductions in buildings according to their emission reduction effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and lessons learned. The aim is to provide governments with knowledge and inspiration to formulate effective policy tools that enable energy efficiency in the sector.

This document presents a summary of the Guide to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction in UN Organizations, published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2009. It includes action checklists to support implementation of mitigation activities.

This manual provides an overview of the various approaches to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases across different areas of work and between different United Nations (UN) organizations. Not only does this publication offer a generic model on how to approach emissions reductions, it also provides an introduction to basic concepts, reduction options (e.g. finding alternatives to air travel, as it is found that in most UN organizations air travel generates the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions) and advice on how to get started. The manual is of particular reference to UN staff and policy makers looking for an introduction to emissions reductions.

This technical document informs on management and finance options to achieve emissions reductions and enhance other vital ecosystem services from peatlands. It targets policy makers, technical audiences and others interested in peatlands. A decision support tree guides through opportunities for both cultivated and uncultivated peatlands. Methodologies and data available for quantifying GHG emissions from peatlands and organic soils are summarized and practical solutions are given concerning measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) and accounting. In addition, country-specific case studies illustrate the problems, solutions and opportunities of peatland management.

This note has been prepared to support the effectiveness of the implementation of the framework for capacity-building in countries with economies in transition established under decision 3/CP.7 (capacity-building framework) by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation. It draws on information synthesized from national communications, other national reports and submissions from Parties as received by 14 February 2012. Information is presented according to the elements of the capacity building framework.