Transcript title header

The UNFCCC and its linkages and
opportunities for the information and
communication technology (ICT) sector
Kevin Grose, Coordinator
UNFCCC secretariat, Information Services
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
1. UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION
ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)
•
Foundation of global efforts to combat climate change
a) Opened for signature in 1992 at the “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janeiro, entered into
force on 21 March 1994
b) Currently has near universal membership with 194 Parties
•
Objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system
•
Focus of action is on mitigation:
a) Limiting or reducing anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by sources
b) Preserving or enhancing sinks and reservoirs of GHGs
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
2. PRINCIPLES
•
Common but differentiated responsibilities of governments (developed and developing
countries)
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Precautionary principle to encourage proactive response to the causes of climate change
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Full consideration for developing country needs and circumstances
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Importance of sustainable development, supported by an open international economic
system
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
3. GROUPING OF PARTIES UNDER THE CONVENTION
• “Annex I Parties” – largely the developed countries
• “Non-Annex I Parties” – largely the developing countries
a) Categorization based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated
responsibilities
b) Developed country Parties required to take the lead
c)
The specific needs and special circumstances of developing country Parties to be
given full consideration
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
4. THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
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Adopted by Parties in 1997, entered into force in 2005
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Supplements and strengthens the Convention, building upon and enhancing many of the
commitments already in place
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Groups countries in the same way as the Convention
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
5. CORE COMMITMENT
Key to the Kyoto Protocol is the commitment for developed countries:
a) ensure that their aggregate anthropogenic CO2 equivalent emissions of the
greenhouse gases do not exceed their assigned amounts as set out in the Protocol
b) objective to reduce overall emissions by at least 5 % below 1990 levels in the first
commitment period 2008 to 2012
If a Party fails to meet its emission target, it must make up the difference, plus 30 per cent, in
the second commitment period.
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
6. OTHER IMPORTANT COMMITMENTS
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Taking steps to improve the quality of emissions data
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Formulating and implementing national mitigation and adaptation programs, focused on
these sectors:
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Energy
• Agriculture
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Transport
• Forestry and land use
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Industry
• Waste management
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Promoting environmentally sound technology transfer
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Cooperating in scientific and technical research and promoting systematic climate
observation systems
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Support actions to assist developing country Parties address the adverse effects of
climate change and response measures
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
7. FLEXIBILITY MECHANISMS
Designed to boost the cost-effectiveness of climate change mitigation and assist
Annex I Parties that cannot meet their targets:
a) Joint implementation
b) Clean development mechanism
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Focus on providing support to developing countries with
private sector investment
c)
Emissions trading
The creation of the “carbon market”
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
8. UNFCCC INTERGOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE
Conference of the Parties
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Includes the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
a) Subsidiary Body on Implementation
b) Subsidiary Body on Science and Technological Advice
c)
Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto
Protocol
d) Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention
e) Other convention and protocol bodies
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
9. UNFCCC SECRETARIAT
• Supports negotiations and the work of the Parties
• Prepares documentation
• Assists in the creation of guidelines and standards for reporting,
including review
• Serves as regulatory body for the Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM)
• Liaison and support to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC and UNEP/WMO)
• Assists in coordination with the main “implementing” organizations
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Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Financial mechanism)
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UNDP
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UNEP
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UNITAR
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
10. HOW CAN THE ICT SECTOR CONTRIBUTE TO THE
UNFCCC?
The ICT sector can contribute to the global UNFCCC process in many ways,
among them:
a) Mitigation actions to reduce the carbon footprint of the ICT sector, as well as
promotion of climate-friendly ICTs in other sectors
b) Contributing to and aligning emissions “accounting” standards and practices
c)
Finding the right roles for the ICT sector to support technology transfer to further
sustainable development in the climate change context and in Millennium
Development Goal 8(f)
d) Partnering with governments, UN and NGOs to further action on adaptation
Working at national, corporate and international levels
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
11. MINIMIZE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE ICT
SECTOR
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Continue on-going work to introduce energy efficient technologies and practice across the
ICT sector, and the promotion of such “smart” technologies to other sectors.
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Seek opportunities to support the transfer of these technologies and supporting best
practice to developing countries. For example:
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Proposed ITU pilot training project for the Ghana National Environmental
Protection Agency and Vodafone Ghana to bring government and the private
sector together to introduce energy efficient technologies and to further the
implementation of national climate change adaptations actions
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
12. Contributing to and aligning emissions “accounting”
standards and practice
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Under the UNFCCC, governments have prioritized the focus of mitigation action and
“accounting” on:
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Energy, Transport, Industry, Agriculture, Forestry and land use, Waste
management
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ICT sector is cross-cutting and can contribute internationally and nationally:
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ITU and UNFCCC secretariat began in 2010 to discuss relationships between
standards and guidelines set under the Convention, and relevant standards set
under the ITU.
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ICT sector may also look nationally with UNFCCC focal points to understand
national context and standards for reporting and how they may contribute.
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Continue work to formalize standards related to energy efficiency, supply and
performance as well as environmental impacts of ICTs.
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
13. Finding the right roles for the ICT sector to support
technology transfer for sustainable development
The UNFCCC encourages a:
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Country-driven, integrated approach, at a national and sectoral level to further
technology transfer.
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Promotes contributions from the private sector, governments, the donor
community, bilateral and multilateral institutions, non-governmental organizations
and academic and research institutions.
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
Five areas of action for technology transfer may be explored:
a) Contributing to technology needs and needs assessments at national level
b) Supporting a global technology information exchange system
c)
Providing advice, sharing information and expertise
d) Contributing to capacity-building
e) Exploring participation in the proposed Technology Mechanism and its Climate
Technology Centre and Network that will be discussed at the upcoming UN Climate
Change Conference in Cancún in late November 2010
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
14. Partnering with governments, UN and NGOs to further
action on adaptation
UNFCCC “Nairobi Work Programme” seeks to:
a) Enhance capacity at international, regional, national, sectoral and local levels to
further identify adaptation responses, and implement practical and effective
adaptation actions
b) Enhance development, dissemination and use of knowledge from practical adaptation
activities
c)
Enhance cooperation among government, business, civil society
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
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ICT sector has opportunity to build on its networks to improve communication and access
to information in support of adaptation.
a) ITU has become a “Partner” in 2010 and may now make action pledges.
b) Possible examples of the types of actions are:
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Projects like “mWomen” with GMSA Foundation and Cherie Blaire Foundation to
provide women in developing countries with mobile phones to improve their lives
and further sustainable development.
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Or use such mobile technologies to provide farmers with weather information or
early warning in case of disasters.
Linkages and opportunities for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
Working at national, corporate and international levels
to support action on climate change