2. |
The Seminar was attended by experts from eighteen countries, which included
Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati,
Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Thailand,
Tuvalu, United States of America, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The Seminar
was also attended by representatives of thirteen organizations, namely
ESCAP, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), South
Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Global
Environment Facility (GEF), UNFCCC Secretariat, World Meteorological Organization
(WMO), International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI),
Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA), National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and
IGES. A number of resource persons from research institutes, universities,
and private companies also attended the Seminar. |
4. |
The seminar commenced with opening address by Mr. Noriyasu Yamada, Councilor,
Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of the Environment, Japan. Mr. Yamada
noted that the problem of the global warming is extremely serious and
it is becoming exceedingly important to pursue efficient mechanisms to
address climate change in Asia and the Pacific. He hoped that the seminar
would be successful in sharing and disseminating various information and
developing collaborative efforts to address climate change. He further
affirmed the commitment of the Japanese government to the Bonn agreement
at COP6. |
5. |
Mr. Junichi Nagasawa, Vice-Governor, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, welcomed
the participants and emphasized the need for the collective actions that
countries should put in developing collaborative arrangements with international
and other institutions. He mentioned that the present effort of mitigation
alone is not sufficient and there is need to establish the resource recycling
society and to encourage harmony between the nature and people. He also
expressed the commitment of Fukuoka Prefecture to contribute to assist
solving the environmental problems in Asia and the Pacific. |
6. |
Mr. Kouichi Sueyoshi, Mayor, Kitakyushu City, Japan expressed his appreciation
for providing the opportunity to host the Seminar in Kitakyushu City and
introduced various efforts made by Kitakyushu to address environmental
issues. He also mentioned on the “Eco Town Project”, ESCAP Ministerial
Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific 2000
(MCED2000), and upcoming first meeting of the Kitakyushu Initiative Network
and other activities that Kitakyushu City is involved with. He mentioned
that the Kitakyushu Initiatives for a Clean Environment which had been
adopted at MCED2000, will not only lead to a cleaner environment but also
contribute to promoting measures to address global warming in cities in
the region.. |
7. |
The Seminar elected Mr. Hidefumi Imura, Professor of Nagoya University,
Japan as Chairperson, Dr. Wanee Samphantharak, Deputy Secretary General,
Office of Environmental Policy and Planning, Ministry of Science, Technology
and Environment, Thailand and Mr. Reazuddin Mohammad, Director, Department
of Environment, Bangladesh as Vice chairpersons, and Mr. Peter Michael
Brisbane, Climate Change International, Australian Greenhouse Office as
Rapporteur. Mr. Yamada, Dr. Samphantharak and Mr. Masakazu Ichimura, Expert
on Environmental Policies, Environment and Natural Resources Development
Division, ESCAP chaired some sessions who were entrusted by Professor
Imura to perform the tasks of the Chairperson during his absence. |
8. |
At the opening session, Mr. George Manful, Programme Officer, UNFCCC
Secretariat, presented the outcomes of the COP6 resumed session and outlined
issues to be resolved at COP7. Building upon the Bonn agreement, he emphasized
the necessity for further success in COP7 in Marrakech, Morocco, 2001,
and stressed that such success will promote early ratification and effective
implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. |
9. |
Mr. Masakazu Ichimura, ESCAP, outlined the regional preparatory process
towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) 2002 that is
currently under way in the Asia-Pacific region. He stressed that this
process was an opportunity to accelerate and reinforce the implementation
of the Regional Action Programme (RAP) 2001-2005, in particular, in its
programme areas of Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Development. He
also emphasized the regional preparatory process was designed to promote
a broader participation of governments and stakeholders throughout the
region, through subregional consultations and the Regional PrepCom to
be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in November 2001. |
10. |
The status of preparation of domestic systems in Japan towards implementation
of the Kyoto Protocol was introduced by Mr. Yasuo Takahashi, Director,
Office of International Strategy on Climate Change, Global Environment
Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan. He stressed that Japan had
started preparatory work towards enabling implementation of the Protocol,
including constructing of a domestic system for reduction of domestic
greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions, using Kyoto Mechanisms, and establishing
schemes for follow-up and reviewing of measures. |
11. |
Dr. Hiroki Kondo, Director, Climate Research Department, Meteorological
Research Institute, on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO), Dr. Hideo Harasawa, Section Head, Environmental Planning Section,
NIES and Dr. Tsuneyuki Morita, Director, Social & Environmental Systems
Division, NIES, presented the outlines of the results of Working Group
1 (WG1), WG2 and WG3 of IPCC TAR, respectively. These results were accepted
by IPCC Plenary in April, 2001. |
12. |
Dr. Kondo presented historical trend of temperatures, carbon dioxide
(CO2) and other GHGs concentrations in global atmosphere based
on the WG1 report. He also presented observed changes in various climate
parameters, results of simulation experiments of 21st century
climate and projected results of climate changes in the future. He also
informed the Seminar that the WMO was considering to establish Regional
Climate Centres. |
13. |
Dr. Harasawa discussed the impacts on natural resources, adaptation
capacity to climate change, and vulnerability in the Asia-Pacific region
based on WG2 report. He stressed the importance to expand research on
the impacts of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region. |
14. |
Dr. Morita illustrated the main messages of WG3, that included the need
of a strong linkage between sustainable development and climate change
mitigation, high technological potential with low cost for mitigation,
and necessity to overcome barriers to implement technologies. |
15. |
In response to the presentations on the IPCC report, some participants
queried how to estimate the costs of the climate change adaptation and
mitigation that appeared in the report. In addition, the participants
emphasized that it is important to popularize the results of the IPCC
to both government and private sectors. |
16. |
Some of the participants reaffirmed that the issues of the mitigation
of climate change in developing countries depend very much on political,
economical and social factors, and stressed the importance of international
cooperative efforts including those by GEF, UNEP, UNDP and UNFCCC Secretariat.
The importance of the involvement of experts of developing countries
was also emphasized in preparing for IPCC Special Report on Sustainable
Development and Climate Change.
|
17. |
Dr. Naoki Matsuo, Senior Research Fellow, Climate Policy Project, IGES
outlined the potential role of the CDM and discussed its rules and modalities.
He emphasized that the CDM has already entered into implementation phase
and relevant institutions which help maximize co-benefits are needed.
|
18. |
Possible methodologies for setting baselines for CDM projects were presented
by Ms. Jane Ellis, Administrator, Climate Change, OECD. She highlighted
the issue of standardizing baselines for CDM projects in the energy, industry
and transport sectors, and indicated that baseline standardization could
help facilitate a prompt start of the CDM. |
19. |
Mr. Kazuhito Yamada, Leader of Global Environment Research Group, Pacific
Consultants Co. Ltd., demonstrated the technical procedures for setting
up CDM/Joint Implementation (JI) projects based on the preliminary results
of the working group established by the Ministry of the Environment of
Japan. He emphasized the importance of studying the standardization of
procedures for CDM projects and its contribution to future technical work
needed to establish baselines. |
20. |
Some participants pointed out that understanding of the CDM and its
potential to help achieve sustainable development have not been fully
recognized by host countries and, therefore, GEF, UNEP and UNDP should
support the implementation of CDM capacity building activities in developing
countries. |
21. |
The results of two feasibility studies on CDM projects, which were commissioned
by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, were presented. Mr. Bunichi
Matsuda, General Manager of Overseas Projects Department, Japan Energy
Research Centre Co. Ltd., reported on the results of the pilot study on
Gasohol production using biomass ethanol from sugarcane in Vietnam. He
also reported on the sustainable development benefits for this project
as well as the potential CO2 emission reduction. |
22. |
Mr. Taigo Suzuki, General Manager, Environmental Business Division,
Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd., reported on the key feature of the reforestation
project underway in Indonesia. He emphasized that the project is characterized
by considerably long time-horizon and stressed difficulties encountered
in feasibility assessment. He also stressed the importance of gaining
the understanding of local people for the success of the project. |
23. |
Some participants pointed out that formulation of legal and institutional
arrangements for CDM in a host country is necessary in order to carry
out CDM projects successfully on a commercial basis. It was also stressed
by some participants that cooperation with local people would be vital
for CDM projects and careful consideration of its implication for the
local community would be important element. |
24. |
Ms. Ulka Kelkar, Area Convener, Centre for Global Environment Research,
Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) described the use of renewable energy
for CDM projects. She outlined the potential future of the CDM with renewable
energy meeting sustainable development criteria and indicated abatement
costs for different technology types. She also stressed that CDM projects
should be operated by a host country as a key player. |
25. |
Dr. Arun Kashyap, Climate Change & CDM Adviser, Environmentally
Sustainable Development Group, UNDP, presented the various activities
and role of UNDP to promote climate change activities in developing countries
in the framework of poverty eradication and sustainable development. He
pointed out that it is particularly important for implementation of a
CDM project to support on the ground capacity building and technology
transfer efforts for activities reflecting national priorities for sustainable
development. |
26. |
Mr. Matthew Mendis, International Resources Group, introduced the case
study from Kazakhstan which focused on criteria and procedures for screening,
evaluating and approving CDM projects. In order to promote CDM projects,
he suggested establishing an inter-ministerial body, identifying a focal
point, and making rules and guidelines for operationalzing CDM in each
host country. The representative of Kazakhstan added that the guideline
presented in the case study was in fact being operationalized in Kazakhstan |
27.
|
Responding to questions, Mr. Mendis replied that the rules of the CDM
projects should be clear, transparent and minimize the risks in the host
country in order to encourage potential investors. He further added that
the rules in the buyer and host country on ownership of certified emission
reductions (CERs) prior to their verification are also important and they
need to be clarified. Participants also raised questions on the ownership
of the CERs from CDM projects and noted that the baseline setting and
validation are key factors in many CDM activities. |
28. |
Dr. Shuzo Nishioka, member of Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel
(STAP) of the GEF, and Executive Director, NIES, noted the renewed interest
in adaptation related activities, especially, after the publication of
IPCC TAR and resumed session of COP6. He presented the activities of various
international organizations, and existing and planned funding mechanisms.
He emphasized that the establishment of the adaptation strategies is urgently
required since some level of global warming is becoming inevitable. |
29. |
Mr. Ravi Sharma,UNEP emphasized the potential impacts of climate change
in Asia and the Pacific and introduced the activities of UNEP in relation
to adaptation and vulnerability assessments. He described a new project-
Assessment of Impacts and Adaptation to Climate Change in Multiple Regions
and Sectors (AIACC) being jointly implemented by GEF/UNEP/IPCC. He further
encouraged the participants of developing countries to disseminate this
information and to submit pre-proposals. In response to the question,
he clarified many details on the funding mechanisms such as under GEF-
and AIACC- related procedures and deadlines for proposals |
30. |
Prof. Nobuo Mimura, Professor, Ibaraki University presented an overview
of the adaptation assessments in the South Pacific that were supported
by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. He identified the needs for
and problems in the vulnerability assessments, identification and implementation
of the adaptation options, and the technology transfer. He stressed that
capacity building, vulnerability assessment and formulating realistic
adaptation plans are vital for the future. |
31. |
Mr. Poni Faavae, Assistant Climate Change Coordinator, Ministry of Natural
Resources, Environment & Energy, Tuvalu, described adaptation experiences
in Tuvalu, and indicated that it is one of the extremely vulnerable countries
to climate change in the South Pacific. He called upon all the developed
countries to take a more constructive role in the climate change negotiations
in the adaptation related issues. |
32. |
Mr. Andrea Olav Bing Volentras, Legal Officer, SPREP, discussed the
outcomes of the Pacific Islands Regional Meeting on Climate Change organized
by SPREP in June, 2001. |
33. |
Discussion included the role of mangroves in coastal areas, lack of
research and the need for practical guidelines/resource books on adaptation
to the climate change. The importance of measures to address the impacts
of extreme events was also raised. |
34. |
Mr. George Manful, , UNFCCC Secretariat, outlined the current status
of preparation of national communications from Non-Annex I countries.
He further provided information on support given for their preparation.
He mentioned that 55 out of 146 Non-Annex I countries have submitted their
initial national communications, and that one country has already submitted
its second national communication. He highlighted some of the difficulties
encountered by countries in preparing their national communications, in
particular, their need for activity data and emission factors in the land
use change and forestry (LUCF) sector. |
35. |
Mr. Kiyoto Tanabe, Research Fellow, IGES, and Programme Officer, Technical
Support Unit for the IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme,
described the support activities for the preparation of national GHG inventory
in the Asia-Pacific region, in particular through the Network for Asia
Pacific to Improve GHG Inventories Database (NAPIID). He called for the
active participation of experts in the region to the NAPIID. He also introduced
the on-going IPCC project to establish a database on GHG emission factors
which would assist Non-Annex I countries in preparing reliable GHG inventories.
|
36. |
Dr. Nandita Mongia, Regional Manager for Climate Change, UNDP/GEF explained
the linkage between UNDP’s sustainable development activities to climate
change mitigation and CDI initiatives taken through the GEF window. She
shared the experience of UNDP/GEF’s climate change activities in Asia
and the Pacific to date, indicating 25 countries in Asia and the Pacific
have submitted their first national communication and 16 countries have
continued further with top up activities. She explained how experiences
with ongoing CO2 mitigation projects will facilitate future
effective implementation of CDM in host countries. |
37. |
Mr. Agus Hidayat, Assistant Manager of Climate Change Unit, State Ministry
for Environment, Indonesia, presented experiences in making a national
communication in Indonesia. Due to lack of experts and insufficient data
basis, he suggested the establishment of national and international clearinghouses
on data and information related to climate change issues. |
38. |
Dr. Wanee Samphantharak, Thailand, presented Thailand's experiences
in preparing its initial national communication. She pointed out that
the Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines could not be effectively applied to some
sectors in tropical countries like Thailand, and suggested modifying the
Guidelines corresponding to conditions and circumstances in specific areas. |
39. |
Many participants shared the view that more financial and technical
support would be needed to help Non Annex I countries to prepare their
national communications. It was also considered essential to expand the
communication networks and cooperative works through the Internet to facilitate
the completion of national communications. |
40. |
Mr. Yasushi Hibi, Consultant, Land and Environment System Consulting
Department, Nomura Research Institute (NRI), Ltd., presented the APNET
related activities. The APNET is the information network using the Internet,
established and managed by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, based
on the agreement reached at the Eighth Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate
Change. NRI plays the role of the secretariat of the APNET. In his presentation,
he described current use of the APNET by countries in the Asia-Pacific
region, outcome of capacity building programmes on information technology
(IT) conducted in 2001, and proposed new activities to utilize and enhance
the APNET. He stressed that APNET should shift more towards providing
its own contents, such as the information that may contribute to capacity
building for CDM. |
41. |
The Seminar expressed appreciation to the Ministry of the Environment
of Japan for managing the APNET and for contributing to capacity building
for IT skills in the Asia Pacific region. The participants noted the importance
of networking climate change experts in the region for exchanging their
knowledge, and realizing “south-south co-operation.” The participants
expressed the hope that the APNET would provide information on various
projects, initiatives and important web sites related to climate change
in the region, including that compiled by TERI. It was hoped that the
APNET would become a virtual CDM clearinghouse in the region without duplicating
work of other initiatives. |
42. |
Mr. Masaharu Inoue, Director, Environmental Conservation Department,
Kitakyushu City, Japan, explained how Kitakyushu City has managed to achieve
economic development, control environmental pollution and simultaneously
improve energy efficiency over the past decades through various measures
including the cleaner production (CP) projects. It was also described
that Kitakyushu City has been collaborating with a number of cities in
other Asian countries. |
43. |
Participants pointed out that initial investment required for the CP
measures was an important barrier for developing countries. However it
was noted that there area number of activities that could be implemented
by a lower level of investment including good maintenance programs. |
44. |
Mr. Akira Watanabe, Vice Director, Fukuoka Research Centre for Recycling
Systems, outlined the functions of the center, which was established by
Fukuoka Prefecture, to promote research and development of recycling technologies
and information exchange. The center is expected to facilitate the establishment
of further recycling systems in the Asia-Pacific region. |
45. |
Dr. Shinji Kaneko, Research Associate, IGES, made a presentation on
current research activities on policy integration of energy related environmental
issues in selected Asian Mega-cities. The research aims to develop policy
oriented analytical tools to address local air pollution and GHG emissions. |
46. |
Mr. Wayne Wescott, Executive Director, ICLEI Australia- New Zealand,
presented the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) program implemented
by councils in Australia. He informed the Seminar that CCP supports cities
by organizing workshops, providing training, media assistance, and facilitating
information exchange. The program requires the cities to adopt a resolution
to commit to targets within the framework of CCP milestones. These milestones
include preparing an emissions inventory, setting a reduction goal, planning
and implementing a local GHG mitigation strategy, and monitoring and reviewing
results. He emphasized the ability of local governments to achieve a large
scale benefit through implementation of small scale, less complex projects. |
47. |
Ms. Pamela Gallares-Oppus, Regional Manager, CCP Southeast Asia, ICLEI,
introduced examples of the climate protection campaigns taking place in
the Philippines. She illustrated how cities in developing countries can
improve the local environment while also protecting the climate. |
48. |
In response to questions, additional information was provided on ICLEI
activities in Australia and Philippines. These included source of funding,
developing collaboration with the local governments, and integrating their
experiences and activities into the policy making at local and national
levels, including reporting such initiatives in a country’s National Communication. |
49. |
It was recommended that the major outcomes of the Seminar should be
reported to the Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (ECO-ASIA)
2001 in October in Tokyo, Japan. The Chairperson’s Summary of the Seminar
should also be disseminated as widely as possible. |
50. |
The participants welcomed a proposal by ESCAP to host the Twelfth Asia-Pacific
Seminar on Climate Change in Bangkok in co-operation with the Ministry
of Science, Technology and Environment, Thailand, in the summer of 2002.
The representative of ICLEI showed his willingness to co-operate with
the Seminar next year. One of the participants mentioned the need for
expanding participating countries to the Seminar. |
51. |
The participants expressed their appreciation to the Ministry of the
Environment of Japan, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kitakyushu City, ESCAP and IGES
for hosting the Seminar. |