Climate Change Focal Area: Mitigation and Adaptation Chemicals Focal Area AU Seminar April 5, 2011 Dimitrios Zevgolis, Program Manager, Climate Change Specialist GEF projects contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) "to achieve [...] stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner" (from the text of the UNFCCC, Art.2). Mitigation: Transform the market development paths of eligible countries into trajectories with low GHG emissions. Adaptation: Assist developing countries in piloting how to address the adverse impacts of climate change, including variability (adaptation measures, adaptive capacity, ecosystem resilience) CC Mission Financing Climate Change under the GEF Trust Fund GEF Trust Fund invested in about $3 billion in over 150 countries Mitigation Adaptation Technology Needs Assessments National Communications to the UNFCCC Largest multilateral public-sector technology transfer mechanism Financed demonstration, deployment, diffusion, and transfer of environmentally sound technologies Roles of the GEF in Climate Change Financing Catalytic Leveraged more than $18 billion in co- financing on its $3 billion of investments Innovative Leader in financing new, emerging low-carbon technologies (FCB, CSP, etc.) Pioneer in supporting market-based approaches (e.g., ESCOs) and innovative financial instruments Cost-effective More than 1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions avoided, equivalent to nearly 4 percent of annual human emissions COP Mandate to GEF on Technology Transfer Poznan Strategic Program on Technology Transfer (COP decision 2/CP.14) Support for Technology Needs Assessments Support for Technology Transfer Pilot Projects Dissemination of successfully demonstrated technologies and know-how GEF-5 replenishment $4.3 billion total (six focal areas) $1.4 billion for climate change mitigation Guiding Principles for GEF-5 Strategy Responsiveness to Convention guidance Consideration of national circumstances of recipient countries Cost-effectiveness in achieving global environmental benefits Climate Change Mitigation Strategic Objectives for GEF-5 SO1:Demonstration, deployment, and transfer of innovative low-carbon technologies SO2:Market transformation for energy efficiency in industry and the building sector SO3:Investment in renewable energy technologies SO4:Energy efficient, low-carbon transport and urban systems SO5:Conservation and enhancement of carbon stocks through sustainable management of land use and forestry SO6: Enabling activities and capacity building Climate Change Adaptation GEF and Adaptation The GEF supports projects in Climate Change Adaptation: Aiming at developing countries to become climate-resilient by promoting both immediate and longer-term adaptation measures in development policies, plans, programs, projects, and actions. 10 GEF and Adaptation Since its inception in 1991 GEF supported: Over $350 million for 84 projects in Climate Change Adaptation 26 innovative adaptation pilot projects through the Strategic Priority for Adaptation (SPA), a $50 million pilot 58 projects in 62 developing countries through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund with more than $300 million combined. 44 National Adaptation Programs of Action completed, 48 financed (LDCs) 11 Achievements LDCF and SCCF Groundbreaking work in implementing adaptation action Strong catalytic effect Concrete results in pioneering adaptation action in some of the poorest countries in the world Dialogue with LDCs, including active participation in the LEG 12 Climate Change Adaptation: UNFCCC Funds (LDCF & SCCF) vs. GEF Trust Fund GEF TRUST FUND: Incremental cost Global benefits STAR Conventional Co-financing UNFCCC FUNDS: (LDCF & SCCF) Additional cost Sliding scale (optional) No STAR No Global benefits Different approach to co-financing Climate Change Adaptation: LDCF and SCCF LDCF projects support National Adaptation Plans of Action (NAPAs) and identifies urgent and immediate adaptation needs SCCF adaptation projects support adaptation actions in non-annex I parties Priorities for financing: water, land management, agriculture, health, infrastructure development, fragile ecosystems, integrated coastal zone management, disaster risk management and prevention Chemicals Focal Areas Chemicals: Strategic Directions Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Ozone layer depletion Collaboration with other focal areas: IW, LD, Bio, CC Cross-cutting strategy for Sound Chemicals Management Chemicals Management Brings together POPs, Ozone Depletion Substances, Mercury and Sound Chemical Management for increased coherence $425 million allocated to chemicals. The distribution of resources is as follows: POPs: $375 million Ozone: $25 million Sound chemicals management and mercury reduction: $25 million 17 Background to GEF Chemicals Management GEF is the financial mechanism for the Stockholm Convention (SC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). GEF is the largest public funder for Chemicals management 5 GEF agencies are active in POPs projects UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, World Bank and FAO. GEF supports implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MP) in Countries with Economies in Transition (CEITs). GEF widely credited with sharing the success of the MP so far with amounts phased out in Russia and CEITs roughly equivalent to amounts phased out in all developing countries. 18 Chemicals: POPs What are POPs? Toxic chemicals persistent in environment; accumulate in human organisms and wildlife; travel long distances through air or sea (DDT, PCBs, dioxins) Most POPs have been banned in OECD countries in 1970s Why should we care? POPs contaminate environment long after being released Long-term exposure to low levels of POPs hinders cognitive development Hazardous to health and environment locally Limited developing country capacity to manage POPs and other chemicals POPs Outlook for GEF-5 Increased attention to potential for synergies with other focal areas, in particular with climate mitigation and releases of un-intentionally produced POPs (dioxins). Proposal to address chemicals in a more comprehensive manner, whilst keeping focus on mandate as financial mechanism to the Stockholm Convention. 20 Chemicals: Ozone Layer Depletion The ozone layer protects the earth from harmful sun radiation (UV-B) which causes cataract and skin cancers. The layer is destroyed by man- made Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), such as CFCs, in the past widely used in sprays, refrigerants, and foam agents. The GEF supports CEITs in implementing Montreal Protocol provisions for elimination of ODS production and consumption (Developing countries access a dedicated Multilateral Fund) Most of the work completed and the ozone layer is expected to recover by On-going work to address HCFCs (CFC substitutes) driven by their impact on climate and ozone layer HCFCs and CFCs are both powerful GHGs Additional GEF-5 Programs Demonstration of mercury reduction activities through; Reducing mercury use and exposure in Artisanal and Small- scale Goal Mining (ASGM) Enhancing capacity for safe storage Reducing atmospheric emissions of mercury Improving data and scientific information at national level Managing wastes and contaminated sites 22 Additional GEF-5 Programs contd Pilot implementation of SAICM priorities to generate global environmental benefits; Pilot implementation of SAICM priorities to generate global environmental benefits. Possible project areas include: Lead in paint; E-wastes and Chemicals in products 23 Sound Chemicals Management Activities are intended to support synergistic interventions that generate multi-focal area benefits through projects that significantly contribute and produce positive impacts towards the fulfillment of obligations in relevant conventions (including Stockholm Convention, Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention to Combat Desertification, and others). 24 Thank you Questions?