Capacity-building Frameworks

In 2001, COP 7 launched two frameworks guiding capacity-building (2/CP.7 and 3/CP.7), one dedicated to developing counties and the other dedicated to countries with economies in transition (EITs). The frameworks aim to enable these countries to implement the provisions of the Convention and effectively participate in the Kyoto Protocol process. In 2005, Parties to the Kyoto Protocol decided that the two frameworks are also applicable to the implementation of the Protocol.

Although the frameworks are similar in structure and substance, they differ in several details. The following figure provides an overview of common elements and specific provisions.

Capacity-building frameworks
Credit: UNFCCC

Monitoring and Reviewing Capacity-building Frameworks

The Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), regularly monitors and reviews progress on the implementation of the frameworks for capacity-building in developing countries and countries with economies in transition (EITs), contained in decisions 2/CP.7 and 3/CP.7, and forwards draft decisions to the Conference of the Parties (COP) and the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP), for their consideration and adoption, as appropriate.

The reviews involve a variety of actors. Parties report on progress they have made on capacity-building activities in their national communications submitted to the UNFCCC secretariat. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations agencies also submit information to the secretariat on capacity-building. The secretariat compiles and synthesizes all this information into reports that help serve the reviews, which take place during UN climate change conferences.

Below are summaries of the reviews conducted so far:

First Review

2004

COP 10

Decision 2/CP.10

In the first review, Parties, inter alia:

  1. Identified key factors to improve the implementation of capacity-building activities, including:
    a. Prioritizing institutional capacity-building;
    b. Raising climate change awareness at various levels and increasing involvement of national governmental organizations in capacity-building activities;
    c. Strengthening institutional arrangements at the national level.
    d. Improving the coordination of donor support and harmonizing support in alignment with national priorities, plans and strategies; and
    e. Applying learning-by-doing approaches
    f. Ensuring the availability of financial and technical resources;
    g. Ensuring effectiveness of capacity-building activities;
    h. Develop and promote exchange of best practices, experiences and information;
  2. Requested the GEF, as operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the Convention,to take into account the aforementioned factors when supporting capacity activities in developing countries;
  3. Invited Annex II Parties along with bilateral, multilateral and private sector agencies continue to provide financial support for the implementation of the capacity-building framework;
  4. Invited relevant intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, particularly the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank to incorporate the scope of needs identified in the capacity building framework into their work programmes, taking into account the factors listed in article 1 above, while cooperating among each other and with the secretariat to ensure efficient and coordinated efforts.

Second Review

2011

COP 17
CMP 7

Decision 13/CP.17
Decision 15/CMP.7

In the second review, Parties, inter alia, agreed on:

  1. The need for further of improvement of the framework for capacity-building under the Convention at the systemic, institutional and individual levels, including by ensuring stakeholder consultations throughout the entire process of project planning and implementation; enhancing integration of capacity-building needs into national development strategies and plans; increasing country-driven coordination of capacity-building activities; and strengthening networking and information sharing, especially through South-South and triangular cooperation;
  2. The continued relevance of the priority areas identified in the framework for capacity building in developing countries as the basis for the implementation of capacity building activities;
  3. The importance of strengthening the provision of financial resources to support capacity-building action.

Third Review

2016 COP 22
CMP 12

Decision 16/CP.22
Decision 6/CMP.12

In the third review, Parties, inter alia:

  1. Recognized that current and emerging areas in the context of the Convention and Paris Agreement not captured in the existing frameworks for capacity-building (2/CP.7), also need to be taken into account in the further implementation of the framework;
  2. Identified the need for enhancing existing reporting on the impacts of capacity building activities;
  3. Noted the need for enhanced support from developed countries for capacity-building actions in developing countries.

In decision 16/CP.22, Parties further:

  1. Invited the PCCB, in managing the capacity-building workplan for the period 2016–2020, to also take into consideration a number of additional areas, including cross-cutting issues; linkages and synergies with other actors under and outside the Convention and the Paris Agreement; work on capacity-building indicators; and reporting on capacity-building activities;
  2. Underscored the need for SBI to facilitate the complementarity between the Durban Forum and the Paris Committee on Capacity-Building.

Furthermore, in line with decision 6/CMP.12, Parties are invited to continue implementing the framework by enhancing stakeholder consultation throughout the development of projects; enhancing capacity of stakeholders to identify, attract, apply for and manage different types of public and private financial resources; strengthening networking and information sharing; and strengthening the capacity of designated national authorities through regional collaboration centers.

Fourth Review
(under the convention)
2019 COP 25 Decision 10/CP.25

The SBI, at its 51st session, concluded its deliberations on the fourth comprehensive review of the implementation of the framework for capacity-building in developing countries under the Convention, on the basis of the terms of reference for the review adopted at SBI 50. COP 25 adopted the draft decision forwarded by SBI 51.

A key element contained in the decision include the COP’s appreciation of continued progress in implementing the framework, demonstrated by the increase in capacity-building activities undertaken by a growing range of bodies and practitioners under and outside the Convention. In addition, current and emerging areas in the context of the Convention and the Paris Agreement that should also be taken into account in the further implementation of the capacity-building framework under the Convention were recognizes. The decision further noted remaining gaps and needs in addressing priority areas identified in the framework.

The Durban Forum on capacity-building was acknowledged as a key modality that has enhanced progress in implementing the framework. In addition, the value of the capacity-building work of constituted bodies under the Convention as well as of strengthening the participation of other stakeholders, including non-State actors, in capacity-building activities, was noted. While the importance of sharing examples of best practice and lessons learned, and building long-term capacity in developing countries was highlighted, it was also noted that monitoring and reviewing the impacts of capacity-building remains challenging and needs to be conducted in specific contexts.

Parties were invited to foster networking and enhance collaboration with academic and research institutions. Furthermore, Parties were invited to cooperate in order to enhance the capacity of developing countries to implement the Convention and the Paris Agreement, and Parties, as appropriate, and other stakeholders were also invited to continue to provide support for capacity-building actions in developing countries

Fourth Review
(under the Kyoto Protocol)
2021 COP 26 Decision 5/CMP.16

CMP 16 adopted the draft decision forwarded by the SBI, which mirrors decision 10/CP.25.

 

Fifth Review

Development of terms of reference

SBI 60 (2024)

Adoption of terms of reference

COP 29 / CMP 19 (2024)

Initiation of 5th review

SBI 62 (2025)

Conclusion of 5th review

COP 30 / CMP 20 (2025)

First Review

2004

COP 10

Decision 3/CP.10

In the first review, Parties, inter alia:

  1. Recognized positive results, experiences and lessons learned from developing and implementing capacity-building, such as the national capacity self-assessments funded by the GEF.
  2. Agreed on the continued relevance of the scope of capacity-building needs as contained in the framework for capacity-building in EITs, and identified key factors that could assist in the implementation of the framework:
    a. Enhancing of training, education and public awareness as well national capacities and expertise. In addition to that, enhancing enabling environments to promote sustainability and effectiveness of capacity-building activities;
    b. Improving information sharing through databases, experiences and best practices as well as improving the abilities of EITs to effectively participate in climate change negotiation processes;
    c. Cooperation and coordination relating to capacity-building among EITs;
    d. Participation and access to capacity-building activities by all stakeholders, including governments, civil society and the private sector.
  3. Invited the relevant Party and Non-Party stakeholders to provide financial support for capacity-building in EITs.

Second  Review

2007

SBI 27

Conclusion
FCCC/SBI/2007/L.27

In the second review, the SBI, inter alia:

  1. Noted that the need for the improvement of reporting activities and methodologies for estimating the effects of policies and measures is of particular interest to EIT countries;
  2. Noted the importance of enhancing the capacity of climate change negotiators and key country-level actors (e.g. decision-makers and government officials, the scientific community, the media and educators);
  3. Encouraged the relevant Party and Non-Party stakeholders to continue to provide support for capacity-building activities in EITs and to improve the availability of information on technical and financial support.

Third Review

2012

COP 18 CMP 8

Decision 21/CP.18
and
11/CMP.8

In the third review, Parties, inter alia:

  1. Recognized that significant progress has been made in building the capacity of EITs, and some EITs have started to share their own expertise, knowledge and lessons learned on capacity-building with Non-Annex I Parties;
  2. Acknowledged that EITs that were receiving support at the time of the review were in need of further capacity;
  3. Reaffirmed the continued relevance of the scope of needs identified in the framework for capacity-building in EITs (3/CP.7) and the key factors identified during the first review (3/CP.10);
  4. Invited the relevant Party and Non-Party stakeholders to continue to provide capacity-building support related to implementing the framework in EITs that were receiving support at the time the review was conducted.

Fourth Review

2017

COP 23 CMP 13

Decision 17/CP.23
and
4/CMP.13

In the fourth review, Parties, inter alia:

  1. Recognized that significant progress has been made in building the capacity of EITs; and some EITs have started to share their own expertise, knowledge and lessons learned on capacity-building with Non-Annex I Parties;
  2. Acknowledged that EITs that were receiving support at the time of the review were in need of further capacity;
  3. Reaffirmed the continued relevance of the scope of needs identified in the framework for capacity-building in EITs (3/CP.7) and the key factors identified during the first review (3/CP.10);
  4. Invited the relevant Party and Non-Party stakeholders to continue to provide capacity-building support related to implementing the framework in EITs that were receiving support at the time the review was conducted.

Fifth review

2021

COP 26, CMP 16 Decisions 13/CP.26 and 6/CMP.16

In the fifth review, Parties, inter alia:

  1. Recognized progress in building the capacity of countries with economies in transition to mitigate climate change, as well as that some recipients of assistance have started to transfer their own expertise, knowledge and lessons learned on capacity-building to non-Annex I Parties;
  2. Also recognized is that countries with economies in transition that are currently receiving support, notwithstanding the progress made, are in need of further capacity-building, in particular for regularly updating and implementing their emission reduction targets, and for developing and implementing national long-term low-emission development strategies consistently with their national priorities;
  3. Reaffirmed the continued relevance of the scope of needs identified in the framework for capacity-building in EITs (3/CP.7) and the key factors identified during the first review (3/CP.10);
  4. Invited Parties to enhance reporting on best practices related to capacity-building in their national communications, biennial reports, submissions and other relevant documents with a view to furthering learning and broadening the impact of capacity-building activities in countries with economies in transition;
  5. Also invited Parties included in Annex II to the Convention and other Parties in a position to do so, the Global Environment Facility, multilateral and bilateral agencies, international organizations, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and the private sector or any further arrangements, as appropriate and within their mandates, to continue to provide support for capacity-building activities in countries with economies in transition.

Sixth review

 

Development of terms of reference

SBI 62 (2025)

Adoption of terms of reference

COP 30 / CMP 20 (2025)

Initiation of 5th review

SBI 64 (2026)

Conclusion of 5th review

COP 31 / CMP 21 (2026)

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