The Deputy Executive Secretary advises the Executive Secretary on a range of issues related to the development and strengthening of the organization as an institution. The office of the Deputy Executive Secretary ensures overall coherence of activities regarding secretarial support to the intergovernmental process - including preparatory work for all negotiating sessions, inter-sessional consultations and workshops - and also provides strategic and procedural support to the COP/CMP President and Bureau. Within the secretariat, it oversees the work of the Administrative Services, Information Technology Services and Conference Affairs Services programmes. 

The Sustainable Development Mechanisms programme supports the three Kyoto Protocol market-based mechanisms – the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI) and International Emissions Trading (IET) – as well as the elaboration of new mechanisms and approaches under the Convention, namely the Framework for Various Approaches (FVA), Non-Market-Based Approaches (NMA) and the New Market-Based Mechanism (NMM). Its responsibilities include supporting the work of the CDM Executive Board and Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC) on technical, policy and governance matters, and supporting Parties in their deliberations in the context of the international climate change negotiations.

Donald Cooper,
Coordinator, Mitigation, Data & Analysis

The Mitigation, Data & Analysis programme supports the intergovernmental process and negotiations on the new 2015 agreement in relation to climate change mitigation. This includes mitigation commitments and actions by developed countries; nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing countries; land use issues, such as: reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, land use, land-use change and forestry and agriculture; as well as the impact of the implementation of response measures and related methodological issues. It facilitates the measurement, reporting and verification of information and data submitted by all Parties through their national communications, biennial reports and national inventory reports, as well as the processes of international assessment and review, and international consultations and analysis.

The Finance, Technology and Capacity-building programme supports international cooperation on the mobilization of financial resources, technology development and transfer, and building of individual, institutional and systemic capacity to enable Parties to take enhanced action on climate change. In particular, it supports the work of the Standing Committee on Finance and the Technology Executive Committee and facilitates knowledge sharing on capacity-building needs and actions, including on climate change education, training and public awareness. The programme also facilitates youth engagement and coordinates the work on gender and climate change.

The Adaptation programme supports the implementation of the UNFCCC across six general components of adaptation: observation; assessment of climate impacts and vulnerability; planning; implementation; monitoring and evaluation of adaptation actions; and outreach and stakeholder engagement. Activities are carried out under the leadership of the Adaptation Committee and Least Developed Countries Expert Group, including: research and systematic observation; the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation; the national adaptation plans process; national adaptation programmes of action; and the work programme on loss and damage.

Legal Affairs provides legal advice and support on matters relating to the implementation of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol, the agreed outcomes under the Bali Road Map and the Doha Climate Gateway, as well as the further development of the Climate Change regime and the operations of the secretariat and the UNFCCC process.  Legal Affairs also provides substantive and logistical support to the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol.

Nick Nuttall,
Coordinator, Communications and Outreach

The Communications and Outreach programme focuses on key communications services that support the work of the secretariat at its headquarters and at its conferences. It has a strong strategic role, with a focus on promoting efforts to increase the impact of actions on climate change. Messages are delivered though a range of communication channels, including the UNFCCC website, speeches, news media and social media outreach, such as Facebook and Twitter.

The Conference Affairs Services programme plans and organizes UNFCCC conferences and sessions, providing services and support to Parties and accredited observer organizations. Its functions include efficient and sustainable event management; registration, accreditation and protocol support to Parties and observers; the coordination of side events and exhibits; and the timely delivery of high-quality documentation.

Salwa Dallalah,
Coordinator, Conference Affairs Services

James Grabert,
Officer-in-Charge, Information Technology Services

The Information Technology Services programme is responsible for all information technology related services within the secretariat. Its mission is to establish a fully integrated IT Organization, engaged in adding value to UNFCCC and its programmes by providing strategic, innovative and aligned IT solutions for the benefit of all UNFCCC stakeholders.

Administrative Services carries out the overall administration of the secretariat; develops policies and guidance for the management of financial and human resources; manages procurement activities and secretariat-wide operating costs funded from the core budget; and monitors transactions undertaken by administrative teams in individual programmes.

Kevin St. Louis,
Coordinator,
Administrative Services