national climate change awareness-raising workshop - UNDPCC.org

• In parallel, there is also a need for a leading agency at the national level that is driving technology
development that is nationally appropriate, e.g. Ministry of Trade & Industry.
What are the opportunities for exchange of experience at the regional level; what would be the role of regional centres of excellence,
as recently proposed by the G-77/China.
• There is some concern that a single centre of excellence, e.g., in South Africa, would be dominated
by the concerns of the host country.
• Many countries are too small to fund research on their own and inter-disciplinary exchange of
expertise is needed. The centres can play a key role in technology dissemination.
Finance
Presentation by Maria Netto, UNDP
Considerable amounts of additional investment and financial (I&F) flows will be needed to assist developing
countries in addressing climate change. Mitigation measures will require additional I&F flows of $200-210
billion in 2030. Adaptation measures will require additional I&F flows in 2030 of several tens of billion of US
dollars. While these amounts are amounts are large in absolute terms, they are small relative to global GDP
and investment. Both the Convention and Kyoto Protocol foresee financial assistance for developing
countries, and address the issue in many of their provisions. Current financial assistance can come through
the “Financial Mechanism” (i.e., GEF) or bilateral, regional or other multilateral channels. Parties have also
established two new GEF funds: the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund.
An Adaptation Fund has also been established under the Kyoto Protocol. Key issues currently being
discussed under the Bali Action Plan include: improved access to adequate, predictable and sustainable
financial resources; new and additional funding; positive incentives to implement mitigation and adaptation
actions; innovative funding means to meet adaptation costs; and, mobilisation of public and private sector
funding. At the most recent talks in Accra in June 2008, the G-77/China proposed a completely new fund
under the COP.
Plenary discussion on finance
Participants highlighted the difficulties in calculating the additional financial flows needed beyond “business
as usual” investments annually. Even more difficulties arise with regards to costing. As important as getting
new money is showing accountability. The criteria for expenditures and disbursements will be difficult to
agree. It was also noted that many national communications so far were not looking at long-term preparations,
so considerable work is needed to demonstrate that they need these funds. Capacity building is an important
part of this. Some participants stressed accessibility as the key issue—while more funds may be established,
this may only make the process more complex. It was noted that few countries from Africa actually benefit
from the existing windows.
Working Group Discussions on Finance
What could be the main mitigation options in Namibia What could be the main adaptation options in Namibia What
changes to the investment and financial flows would implementing these options entail
• For mitigation, the main options involve the energy sector. This includes electricity production and
transport, which hold the greatest potential for tapping into international funding. Mining will also
play a key role in mitigation, but is largely private sector and profit driven.
• For adaptation, the main options involve agriculture, land use and health.
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