14th virtual exchange session of the Community of Practice for Climate Policy Monitoring and Evaluation.

On Thursday, April 2, the 14th virtual exchange session of the community of practice for climate policy monitoring and evaluation EUROCLIMA+ / FIIAPP was held with the support of the LEDS LAC Platform. The session focused on the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement, the COP25 agreements, the road to COP26 and the implications for Latin American countries.

As input for the dialogue, presentations were made by Marcelo Rocha of Fábrica Ethica Brasil, Diana Barba, Mitigation and Transparency Advisor of the AILAC Support Unit, and Lorenzo Eguren, Mitigation Coordinator of the General Directorate of Climate Change and Desertification of the Ministry of the Environment of Peru.

THE ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY FRAMEWORK

The Enhanced Transparency Framework (EFT) is the set of rules for countries to report on their progress in implementing their commitments under the Paris Agreement. These rules, while common to all, allow for exceptions or flexibility in their application for those developing countries that so require.

The approval of the tabular formats that will allow the standardisation of the report for all countries is still pending. However, the information contents that must be included in the biennial transparency reports are already known (GHG inventories, progress in NDC implementation, adaptation, support received) and this allows the countries to move forward with internal organisation and needs analysis in order to eventually comply with the stipulations.

To date, different national initiatives for registering mitigation actions have emerged in countries that seek - while involving relevant actors - to consolidate national systems for information to be reported, and to strengthen the components of the system for monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions. In terms of adaptation, the challenge remains to define the most appropriate indicators and M&E systems.

CONCLUSIONS

• The implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework in the countries is not starting from scratch: Latin American countries already have experience in the preparation of their National GHG Emission Inventories (INGEI), National Communications or Biennial Update Reports (BURs). It is necessary to consider that each country has a different reality and a different starting point, which makes each one have unique challenges in the transition.

  There is almost as much variety in the challenges of implementing MRT as there are countries in the region. There is an urgent need to strengthen national technical capacities, raise the standard of quality and availability of relevant information, and of course, ensure adequate and timely funding to enable these processes.

  The basic information that countries are asked to submit under the new MRT corresponds to GHG inventories, monitoring of NDC implementation, information on adaptation issues and support received. The periodicity of submissions every two years poses the challenge of the amount of information that will have to be generated, considering also the rigor that will be required.

  Within the MRT there are flexibility provisions that facilitate reporting on some issues. For example, with respect to GHG inventories, some of the flexibility provisions could be used:

  • Exclude categories that are not representative in terms of emissions for the country to focus effort on more important categories;
  • Exclude some gases from the inventory;
  • Perform a qualitative uncertainty analysis;
  • Have more general quality control procedures;
  • Presenting shorter historical series.

  With regard to reporting on the monitoring of NDC implementation and mitigation policies, it is expected that it will not be possible to estimate emissions reductions for all policies, and that there will be countries that will have difficulty in estimating their projections. For both cases, flexibility provisions will be proposed in the reports.

  MRT also provides for a Technical Expert Review (TER). The review of the information could lead to recommendations in the final reports of the expert technical reviews, along with any written comments made by the Party during the technical review. In its consideration of these matters, the Committee shall take into account the flexibilities provided for in the provisions of the modalities, procedures and guidelines referred to in Article 13 of the Agreement for the benefit of those developing country Parties that need them in the light of their capacities.

  What is pending: Decisions regarding the tables or tabular formats to be used. It is expected that they can be discussed during the meetings of the subsidiary body in October 2020 in order to make decisions during COP26. However, the expected contents are known, and countries can move forward with the analysis of needs and the generation of information.

  The deadline for submission of the first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) is scheduled for 2024. The GEF provides support for the preparation of the reports, however it should be noted that it is a condition that the country has submitted the previous report. This aspect should be taken into consideration when considering the timing of GEF support.

  PERU

  Peru shared its experience in transitioning from its pre-Paris agreement MRV system to an updated system that responds to the new transparency framework. Previous experience focused on the preparation of GHG inventories and National Communications, which were largely prepared by external consultants. Currently, efforts are focused on making more rigorous inventories and building different platforms that can display information transparently:

  • Infocarbon: Provides guidance to each sector on how to make their inventories. Each sector is responsible for making inventories of its own sources. National guidelines have been developed based on those of the IPCC.
  • National Registry of Mitigation Measures (under development): Seeks to avoid double counting and overlap with the NDC. It will allow interfaces with other registries.
  • Carbon Footprint Register Peru: Aimed at private sector entities. It allows registration and contemplates a series of seals or categories of recognition that are increasingly rigorous.

  Finally, it should be noted that the session also represented an opportunity to reflect on the implications of the current health situation as well as the postponement of COP26, recognising the need to continue advancing the work as well as the opportunity to strengthen communication and articulation among countries.

  MATERIALS OF INTEREST

• Case Study Communications for Adaptation - LEDS LAC & FIIAPP, 2020.
• Report of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement on the third part of its first session, held in Katowice from December 2 to 15, 2018. Addendum Part Two – Measures adopted by the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement.
• Unfolding the reporting requirements for Developing Countries under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework
• Framing and tracking 21st century climate adaptation 
  
• Guide to FAQ’s about ETF that is available on the UNFCCC website