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Asia-Pacific Seminar Archives
Appendix of 8th AP Seminar
Appendix 1 :
Proposed Initiatives to be Considered in the Asia-Pacific Region
At the Eighth Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate Change, experts in the Asia-Pacific region discussed and identified initiatives to be considered by the countries of the region to address climate change and regional cooperative actions.
The Asia-Pacific region can play an important role in addressing climate change. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the region mainly come from consumption of fossil fuels. Many countries of the region have taken actions to address climate change, such as preparation of national GHG inventories, assessment of social, economic and environmental impacts, studies on and implementation of short, medium and long-term mitigation and adaptation options, and development of national plans which integrate climate change considerations. However, developing countries of the region suffer from shortage of funding, lack of relevant data and accessible information and other scientific, technical, financial and institutional constraints.
In promoting such initiatives, the countries of the region may wish to consider the following important points, taking into account their national priorities and the principles embedded in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Developed countries and international/intergovernmental organizations may provide financial and technical assistance to assist in the implementation of the initiatives.
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I. INITIATIVES TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION
Issues for consideration and proposed actions
Policies and measures to address climate change need to be developed on the basis of adequate information on science and technology, and different national conditions. Studies on climate change should be intensively promoted, the results of which could also be used to enhance public and political awareness of the problem. Coordination and cooperation with international research and applied research institutions working in the fields relating to climate change are encouraged.
Preparation of national GHG inventories provides the fundamental basis for developing mitigation actions. The countries in the region which have not prepared their own GHG inventories are urged to do so, using various funds available to them. Funds from various sources are also available for countries willing to update their inventories.
National development plans such as five-year economic development plans should take into account climate change aspects. On the other hand, policies and measures addressing climate change should be formulated and implemented in the context of sustainable development, taking into account the national priorities.
Implementation of projects only for the purpose of addressing climate change can not easily be justified in developing countries in the region. It is important to promote projects, which have multiple benefits as immediate options. In this connection, it should be emphasized that energy conservation and energy efficiency improvement projects have a large potential in this region.
Since vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategies are particularly important in countries vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise, more studies should be undertaken to develop appropriate adaptation strategies. Some adaptation projects should be formulated and implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness of such adaptation strategies and technologies.
The potential in the region to limit GHG emissions is significant in the energy and energy related sectors. Two major technological options in the energy supply sector are energy efficiency improvement and the promotion of renewable energy. In particular, it is important to improve coal combustion efficiency and to promote other alternative energy sources. The countries of the region may wish to consider these options, particularly regarding power plant rehabilitation, combined cycle power plants and small hydropower plants as short-term options. Wind energy, solar photovoltaics and advanced biomass power generation, mainly as medium to long-term options, need to be promoted, taking into account the national priorities and local conditions.
Demand side management is also crucial to limit GHG emissions. The countries of the region, if they have not done so, may wish to consider end-use efficiency improvement for lighting, air conditioning and appliances, diffusion of efficient boilers for various purposes, introduction of energy efficient equipment, and other means for promoting energy saving in households. Some countries may also wish to consider development/improvement of commercial and residential building standards and so on.
Regarding the non-energy sectors, impacts of deforestation on climate change are important, because they include GHG release connected with deforestation and the significant loss of carbon sink capacity after deforestation. More attention should be paid to the causes and impacts of forest fires including the El-NINO phenomena. Projects to prevent forest fires, such as those dealing with early warning systems and to enhance fire fighting capacity, present important options to address climate change.
Afforestation/reforestation offers multiple benefits relating to socio-economic development apart from the benefits of carbon sequestration. The countries of the region may wish to undertake and/or strengthen sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation, for instance, through the use of short or long-rotation forestry projects, forest conservation projects to control unmanaged deforestation and land degradation, and prevention of forest fires.
The countries of the region may also wish to identify cost-effective options in various other sectors, such as industry and transport sectors. Some countries may wish to promote improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency, and other climate friendly technologies, such as those used for building construction.
Specific adaptation strategies in planning and management could include sectors such as water and health, coastal protection, agriculture and forestry, tourism, resettlement and migration, fisheries, and integrated coastal management. This could be achieved by promotion of empirical practices and development of adaptation strategies/technologies for vulnerable coastal regions.
Development and transfer of technologies
As exemplified by recent introductions of low emission technologies related to energy and non- energy sectors on the market, innovative climate friendly technologies are emerging. To enable easier availability, accessibility and adaptability for such technologies, it seems to be useful (i) to develop a regional technology information network; and (ii) to promote model projects that are replicable. It should, however, be clearly recognized that adaptation of such technologies is often needed to meet particular conditions in respective countries. Such activities should not adversely affect local industries, but strengthen the endogenous capacity in using such technologies.
The countries of the region should pay attention to institutional barriers that prevent widespread use of climate friendly technologies and take actions to deal with them.
Many climate-friendly technologies are owned by the private sector. Active involvement of the private sector in technology transfer is, therefore, essential. The countries of the region may wish to take actions to facilitate the smooth flow of resources and technologies in the private sector through, for instance, provision of incentives. Private sector involvement could be stimulated by innovative environmental legislation.
Some climate-friendly technologies, which may have significant impact on communities, should only be introduced after consultation with those communities about their needs and development priorities.
Capacity building and public awareness
Capacity building and institutional set up to address climate change are key factors for sustained efforts in developing countries. Capacity building for the identification of technology needs, the assessment of technology options, and successful adaptation of technologies to local conditions are, inter alia, important. Technical and financial assistance, particularly regarding training programs for technology transfer, also needs to be undertaken by developed countries and international/intergovernmental organizations.
More efforts should be devoted to enhance public awareness, training and education among the relevant stakeholders in both developed and developing countries, to facilitate their understanding and support for climate-friendly policies and measures, and to encourage their actions to combat climate change through environmental education, information dissemination, media campaigns, and the strengthening of legal, institutional and administrative measures etc.
Community level participation on actions to address climate change should be encouraged. In this connection, local governments could play a vital role in encouraging community level participation in actions to address climate change. Mass media can also play an important role in raising public awareness.
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II. REGIONAL COOPERATIVE ACTIONS
Strengthening of regional forum on climate change
The Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate Change, which began in 1991, has significantly facilitated the regional efforts in addressing climate change, as well as promoting awareness and exchange of experiences on the issue among the countries of the region. Considering the usefulness of such a forum, the outcome of the Asia-Pacific Seminar should be widely disseminated.
Recognizing the international nature of the Asia-Pacific Seminar and the environmental expertise of the participants, future sessions of the Seminar could provide for analytical presentations and discussions of important issues arising from the UNFCCC meetings. In this context, the Chairperson's Summary of the present and future sessions of the Seminar should be disseminated, with the assistance of the UNFCCC Secretariat, to relevant sessions of subsidiary bodies of UNFCCC and the Conference of the Parties.
Regional information networking
Based on the discussions at various fora including the previous sessions of the Asia-Pacific Seminar, it is necessary for many countries of the region to improve access to information relating to climate change, which includes administrative as well as institutional aspects, climate-friendly technologies and various potential projects.
Such requirements may be partly achieved by providing more user-friendly access to CC:INFO/Web country web sites and existing relevant Internet web sites by developing a system to create better links to those web sites. This system should be established promptly to ensure better access to various existing information without duplicating efforts and resources. Efforts to enhance existing initiatives such as the preparation of CC:INFO country web sites should also be attempted.
Establishment and strengthening of national technology information centers may be promoted through various means, for instance, by GEF projects and other multilateral and bilateral projects. Further consideration should also be given to the development of a regional technology information center.
Promotion of research and study projects through APN, IRI and other schemes
The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) has been playing an increasingly important role in facilitating research and studies on climate change in the region. Since much more research and studies are needed in various fields in this region, activities of APN should further be strengthened, in close cooperation with other scientific and technological bodies, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Cooperation with the emerging International Research Institute (IRI) for Climate Prediction is encouraged, especially through the IRI Asia/Pacific Center. The potential climate information provided by the IRI regional center could be used to tailor information to regional applications.
Preparatory consultation on new mechanisms
In the Kyoto Protocol, new mechanisms, namely Joint Implementation among Annex I Parties, Emissions Trading and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) were established. However, many issues were left for further elaboration to operationalize such mechanisms.
To effectively utilize such mechanisms, it is important for the countries in the region to actively investigate how they could participate in CDM, taking into account the progress of the international debate. The ways and means on how to reflect the results of the activities implemented jointly (AIJ) at the pilot phase may also need to be discussed. Appropriate fora should be identified to initiate such discussions at the regional level.
Appendix 2 :
Proposed Outline and Structure of the Asia-Pacific Network on Climate Change (AP NET)
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I. Outline of the AP NET
1. Objectives
The objectives of the Asia-Pacific Network on Climate Change (AP NET) should be to:
- facilitate policy dialogue and consultations;
- enhance the access to and usefulness of climate change-related information, in particular, on climate-friendly technologies
- facilitate information exchange concerning climate change-related programs and projects; and
- facilitate education and public awareness on climate change.
2. Target groups
The major target groups for the AP NET in terms of types and contents of data should be policy makers and government officials at the initial stage. Other groups such as the scientific and business communities as well as NGOs should be regarded as potential target groups, and be included within the scope of the AP NET in a closer manner in the future. The information contained in the AP NET should be accessible for all those groups.
3. Major functions
The major functions of the AP NET should be to:
- provide information that is compatible with and complementary to existing networks;
- serve as a clearinghouse to enable easier access to scientific and technological information on climate change;
- serve as web site of those countries and organizations that do not have an Internet web site on climate change provided that information on climate change be submitted by electronic media; and
- support capacity building for developing national information inventories and Internet literacy on climate change.
4. Modality
The AP NET should make available various means of information exchange and communication. Considering that use of the Internet is rapidly expanding, that updated information can be easily obtained, and that information exchange is possible on a global level, networking methods should initially be developed mainly on the Internet. In view of the fact that there are countries in the region which cannot connect the Internet now, other methods such as floppy diskette (FD), CD-ROM and newsletters may also be included to the extent possible. Taking into account that the AP NET be developed on the Internet, it should enable easier and user-friendly access to existing relevant web sites. It will consist of two major components:
- A gateway web site to enhance accessibility to existing useful information on climate change and to provide information on the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and from relevant organizations via the Internet.
- Individual web sites to promote information exchange of the countries of the region mainly through the format proposed in the CC:INFO/Web.
5. Management
The gateway web site will be developed, updated and managed by the Environment Agency of Japan (EAJ) in conjunction with the management of the ECO ASIA NET, which is also developed by EAJ. The individual web sites will be developed, updated and managed by respective countries of the region.
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II. Structure of the AP NET
The AP NET will contain two major components, the gateway web site and the individual web sites (see Attachment 1).
1. Gateway Web Site
The Top Page of the gateway web site will include initially the following items:
- Linkage and interface with CC:INFO/Web sites of individual countries of the region;
- Linkage with selected existing web sites on climate change;
- Information on climate change upon request from the countries of the region and relevant organizations to upload on the gateway web site; and
- Search engine within linked web sites and information uploaded in the gateway web site.
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1.1 Linkage and interface with CC:INFO/Web sites of individual countries of the region
A click onto this item produces two things: by Country and by Subject
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1.1.1 By Country
A click onto "by Country" produces the names of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region. When a country is clicked on, the Top Page for that country's CC:INFO/Web site appears.
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1.1.2 By Subject
A click onto "by Subject" produces the information categories described on the CC:INFO/Web site, with amendments, if necessary. The categories of the information on the CC:INFO/Web are presented in the Attachment 2.
A click onto these items produces the names of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. If one clicks onto a particular country, there will appear a page carrying relevant information about the subject of that country.
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1.1.1 By Country
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1.2 Linkage with selected existing web sites on climate change (other than CC:INFO/Web)
A click onto this item produces three things: by Country, by Organization, and by Environmentally Sound Technologies. These provide easy access to existing useful information on climate change in individual countries, and especially to information of environmentally sound technologies including climate protection.
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1.2.1 By Country
A click onto "by Country " produces the names of countries. If one clicks onto a specific country, a list of climate change-related sites provided by the main environmental entity of that country other than CC:INFO/Web sites will appear, together with some simple and user-friendly explanations for use. Those explanations will describe the site operator, the content of the information, the date of the most recent update and how to easily access desired information. A click onto a specific site taken from the list will produce the Top Page for that site.
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1.2.2 By Organization
A click onto "by Organization" produces a list of climate change-related sites provided by international organizations, with some simple and user-friendly explanations for use. Those explanations will describe the site operator, the content of the information, the date of the most recent update and how to easily access desired information. A click onto a specific site taken from the list will produce the Top Page for that site.
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1.2.3 By Environmentally Sound Technologies
A click onto this item produces a list of the sites regarding "Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs)", together with some simple and user-friendly explanations for use. Those explanations will describe the site operator, the content of the information, the date of the most recent update, as well as advice as to the method of retrieval for climate change- related technologies. A click onto a site will produce the Top Page for that site.
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1.2.1 By Country
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1.3 Information on climate change, requested to be uploaded on the gateway web site
A click onto this item produces the names of projects, countries and organizations (international organizations, etc.) . If one click onto a specific country, then the information provided by that country to the gateway web site operator for uploading is outlined by topic. The method of description in a listing will depend upon the content and volume of the information provided. A click onto a topic will produce the information to be provided.
A click onto the name of organizations or projects produces a listing of the information provided by the pertinent entity, outlined by subject. The method of description in a listing will depend upon the content and volume of the information to be provided. A click onto a subject will produce the information to be provided.
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1.4 Search engine within linked web sites and information uploaded in the gateway web site
A click onto this item produces a list giving the names of countries in the region, international organizations and sites regarding ESTs, along with space to input key words. Users can conduct searches using "free keyword" retrieval, limiting the subjects for retrieval to one country or a plural number of countries to which the site operator(s) belong(s). Likewise, one can also perform "free keyword" retrieval limiting the search to sites provided by international organizations. Sites which permit "free keyword" searches will be limited to those linked with the gateway web site. The results of a search will be provided via the Internet's URL addresses. A click onto a specific address will produce the pertinent page.
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1.1 Linkage and interface with CC:INFO/Web sites of individual countries of the region
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2. Individual Web Sites
Individual web sites are expected to provide information in the format recommended in the CC:INFO/Web (presented in the Attachment 2), and to be developed and updated by respective countries. Information other than that listed in the CC:INFO/Web category, or specific information subcategorized within the categories, will be welcomed.
Attachment 1 : Structure of the AP NET
Attachment 2 : Information Category in the CC:INFO/Web
- The Convention and other official documents
- Text of the Convention
- Official documents of the negotiations
- Calendar of negotiations
- UNEP/IUC Climate Change Fact Sheets for Policy Makers
- Other reference materials on the Convention
- National communication
- Preparations for the national communication
- National communication.
- National coordination
- Introduction to the national climate committee
- Composition & structure of the national climate committee
- Functions of the national climate committee.
- National legislation & policy
- National legislation
- National policy
- National resources
- Organizations
- Individuals
- Studies & publications
- Activities
- Enabling activities
- Response measures
- Activities implemented jointly
- Workshops, seminars & meetings
- Transfer of technology.
- Others
- Announcements
- News briefs
- National focal point
- Related sites
- Background information.
List of Participants
(Participants)
| [China] | |
|---|---|
| Mr. Chen Zhenlin Programme Coordinator Division of Coordination on Climate Convention Department of Meteorological Service and Climate China Meteorological Administration |
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| [Fiji] | |
| Mr. Leone Limalevu National Co-ordinator Department of Environment Ministry of Local Government, Housing & Environment |
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| [India] | |
| Dr. J.R. Bhatt Joint Director (s) Ministry of Environment and Forests |
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| [Indonesia] | |
| Mr. Aca Sugandhy Assistant I of the State Minister for the Environment State Ministry of Environment |
Mr. Gunardi Acting Deputy III of the Assistant I of the State Minister for the Environment State Ministry of Environment |
| [Kiribati] | |
| Mr. Tebao Awerika Assistant Secretary Ministry of Environment & Social Development |
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| [Malaysia] | |
| Mr. Yong Pok Wing Deputy Director General II Malaysian Meteorological Service |
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| [Maldives] | |
| Mr. Mahmood Riyaz Assistant Environment Analyst Ministry of Planning, Human Resources and Environment |
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| [Mongolia] | |
| Dr. Damdin Dagvadorj Scientific Secretary International Affairs Branch National Agency for Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring (NAHMEM) |
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| [Myanmar] | |
| Mr. Kyaw Tint Swe Secretary National Commission for Environmental Affairs (NCEA) Deputy Director-General ASEAN-Myanmar |
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| [Nepal] | |
| Mr. Purna Bahadur Shrestha Deputy Director General Department of Hydrology and Meteorology |
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| [New Zealand] | |
| Mr. Murray Ward Team Leader Climate Change Programme Ministry for Environment |
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| [Pakistan] | |
| Mr. Javed Iqbal Programme Manager Environmental Protection Agency NWFP |
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| Philippines | |
| Ms. Florisa C. Almodiel Attorney III Office of the Undersecretary, Legal & Legislative Affairs & Attached Agencies Department of Environment and Natural Resources |
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| [Republic of Korea] | |
| Mr. Jonghan Park Deputy Director Environment and Science Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
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| [Sri Lanka] | |
| Mr. B. Bulumulla Additional Secretary Ministry of Forestry & Environment |
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| [Thailand] | |
| Dr. Saksit Tridech Secretary General Office of Environmental Policy and Planning, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment |
Mr. Suphavit Piamphongsant Chief Inspector General Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment |
| Mrs. Orapin Wongchumpit Director International Environmental Affairs Division Office of Environmental Policy and Planning Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment |
Ms. Wanna Tanunchaiwatana Chief International Cooperation Section I Office of Environmental Policy and Planning Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment |
| [Tuvalu] | |
| Mr. Seluka Seluka PICCAP Coordinator Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment |
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| [United States of America] | |
| Mr. Joseph Huang Regional Director for Asia and Island Nations U.S. Country Studies Management Team |
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| [Uzbekistan] | |
| Dr.Tatjana Ososkova National Coordinator GEF/UNDP Project Uzbekistan Country Study on Climate Change Main Administration of Hydrometeorology |
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| [Vietnam] | |
| Prof. Dr.Nguyen Trong Hieu Director Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (IMH) Hidrometeorological Service (HMS) |
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| [ADB] | |
| Dr. Prodipto Ghosh Environment Specialist and ALGAS Project Officer Environment Division Office of Environment and Social Development Asian Development Bank |
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| [ESCAP] | |
| Dr. Rezaul Karim Chief Environment Section Environment and Natural Resources Management Division |
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| [GEF] | |
| Dr. Dilip Ahuja Environmental Specialist Global Environment Facility |
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| OECD | |
| Ms. Jan Corfee-Morlot Acting Principal Administrator Climate Change OECD Environment Directorate |
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| [SPREP] | |
| Dr. Chalapan Kaluwin Climate Change Officer SPREP |
Dr. Graham Sem Scientific-Technical Adviser-PICCAP SPREP |
| [UNDP-GEF] | |
| Dr. Nandita Mongia Regional GEF Coordinator for Climate Change Regional Bureau of Asia and the Pacific UNDP |
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| [UNDP Thailand] | |
| Mr. Erik Rasmussen Programme Officer UNDP Thailand |
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| [UNEP/ROAP] | |
| Mr. Lal Kurukulasuriya Chief Regional Environmental Law Programme UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific |
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| [UNFCCC] | |
| Mr. Andrea Pinna Programme Officer Non-Annex I Implementation Framework Convention on Climate Change - Secretariat |
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| [Japan] | |
| Mr. Hironori Hamanaka Director-General Global Environment Department Environment Agency of Japan |
Mr. Shigemoto Kajihara Director Office of International Strategy on Climate Change Global Environment Department Environment Agency of Japan |
| Mr. Satoshi Tanaka Deputy Director Control and Cooperation Division Global Environment Department Environment Agency of Japan |
Mr. Kenji Iwasa Office of International Strategy on Climate Change Global Environment Department Environment Agency of Japan |
| [Resource Persons] | |
| Mr. Kok Kee Chow Director Meteorological Office Malaysian Meteorological Service Chairman of SBSTA |
Mr. Naohiro Fukami Deputy Executive Director ICLEI Asia and Pacific Secretariat Japan Office |
| Mr. Yuji Mizuno Senior Consultant Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. |
Mr. Katsunori Suzuki Acting Director General Acid Deposition and Oxidant Research Center (ADORC) |
(Observers)
Local Governments from Japan
| [Shiga Prefectural Government] | |
|---|---|
| Mr. Yasunori Yamawaki Vice-Governor Shiga Prefectural Government |
Mr. Kenichi Mabuchi Secretary of Vice-Governor Shiga Prefectural Government |
| Mr. Toyohisa Nakamura Senior Supervisor Division of Environment |
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| [Tokyo Metropolitan Government] | |
| Mr. Hirohito Kamijo Director for Planning and Coordination Environment Management Division Bureau of Environmental Protection Tokyo Metropolitan Government |
Mr. Wakato Ono Director for Public Affairs Bureau of Environmental Protection Tokyo Metropolitan Government |
| [City of Kitakyushu] | |
| Mr. Azuma Kido Director Global Information Division KITA Environmental Cooperation Center Kitakyushu International Techno-Cooperation Association International Village Center, Kitakyushu |
Mr. Takashi Nakashima Planning Section General Affairs Department, Environment Bureau |
| [City of Sendai] | |
| Mr. Katsuharu Sugizaki Director Environment Department Environment Bureau of Sendai City |
Mr. Toshiyuki Endo Chief Administration Sub Section Environmental Planning Section Environment Department Environment Bureau of Sendai City |
Others
| Ms. Aki Maruyama Research Associate The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies |
Mr. Hironori Shinano Consultant Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. |
| Mr. Hiroyuki Nakagawa Consultant Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. |
(Staff Members)
Thai staff members
| Ms. Wantanee Petchampai Environmental Officer Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP) Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) |
Ms. Wilailak Pangtawong Environmental Officer OEPP/MOSTE |
| Ms. Bang-orn Hannarong Environmental Officer OEPP/MOSTE |
Ms. Salee Phromdoung Environmental Officer OEPP/MOSTE |
| Mr. Vinai Sukkosol Environmental Officer OEPP/MOSTE |
Ms. Kanchana Pothakul Environmental Officer OEPP/MOSTE |
Japanese staff members
| Mr. Hiroshi Hirayama Vice Secretary-General Earth, Water & Green Foundation |
Ms. Tamie Yoshizawa Creative Convention Center, Inc. |
| Ms. Taeko Yokota Creative Convention Center, Inc. |