On 27 August 2020, the Caribbean NDC (National Determined Contributions) Support Virtual Exchange Platform held its 4th Session: Accounting and Tracking Progress for NDCs. The Katowice Climate Package provides clarification and guidance to Parties in accounting and tracking of their NDCs. As countries start to implement their NDCs, they would need to establish their national accounting systems to track progress of their NDCs, hence the 4th virtual exchange was designed to enhance technical capacities of experts working in the Caribbean Region and providing perspective on domestic implications for national GHG accounting as well as reporting under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). The following were the specific objectives of the Virtual exchange:
• Familiarizing participants with guidance on accounting for NDCs;
• Familiarizing participants with provisions on tracking of progress for NDCs;
• Providing an overview of available tools, approaches and methodologies of accounting, modelling and projections and tracking progress of NDCs under the ETF and experience in designing systems in the region;
• Discussing examples on establishing national systems to account for and track progress in implementing and achieving NDCs.
The UNFCCC, UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), ACP (Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States), CA (Climate Analytics), IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), GGGI (Global Green Growth Institute), SEI (Stockholm Environment Institute), CCMRVH (Caribbean Cooperative Measurement, Reporting and Verification Hub) partnered with RCC St. George’s to host a total of 87 participants from the Caribbean Region. Prior to the exchange, the panelists offered pre-recorded presentations to registered participants to enhance their understanding on the overview of accounting and tracking provisions for NDCs, introduction of the relevant tools for modeling of projections and ACP tool for tracking NDCs and sharing information on the experience from various partners working in the Caribbean Region. The recordings of the presentations can be accessed here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zog45ftj4gm3iea/AADxuIzI3FCm8c9bHCRl9kgLa?dl=0
In the Virtual Exchange, Tugba Icmeli, from the UNFCCC Transparency Division presented an overview of key provisions on accounting and tracking progress for NDCs and elaborated some key remarks on ensuring methodological consistency, including on baselines, between the communication and implementation of NDCs as well as essential arrangements and structures for a successful implementation. Further, Luz Alcántera from Dominican Republic explained their approach to planning for establishing a system to account and track for NDCs and suggested dividing each into areas of conceptualization such as mitigation, adaptation, metrics and means of implementation. Vintura Silva from UNFCCC RCC St. George’s introduced the example shared by UNDP- Global Support Programme (GSP) on Uruguayan NDC tracker website that is publicly accessible and includes information on objectives of the NDC, mitigation measures, adaptation, capacity building, and GHG inventory.
During the panel discussion, Michael Gillenwater of CCMRVH mentioned that the MRV Hub is working to develop understanding in providing better guidance on modeling and projection tools to meet the needs of the Caribbean countries. Charlie Heaps (SEI) emphasized the importance that we have to build the capacity within countries and the technical modelling on LEAP (Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning System). Similarly, Justin Goodwin (GGGI) explained the importance of providing guidelines for collecting data exemplifying Caribbean countries cases. Robert Brecha (CA) also emphasized the need for cross checking the data with alternate sources to verify accuracy and going beyond looking at NDCs but have a more comprehensive approach. Lastly, Sonia Rueda (IRENA) mentioned the importance of having a clear methodology for data collection and quality control check for NDCs.
In the interactive discussions, panelists and participants made a strong case that methodological consistency as well as collection and management of valuable data is critical in the process of accounting and tracking progress for NDCs. In the closing remarks, participants were also invited to the 5th session of Pacific-Caribbean Virtual Exchange which be held on 24 September 2020 focusing on Experience with application of ICTU guidance. Overall the virtual exchange was fruitful.
For more information on the RCC St. George’s virtual exchange, please contact:
rccstgeorges@unfccc.int
