SADC roadmap for COP17 presented at Africa Negotiator’s Meeting

The first preparatory meeting of the African Group of Negotiators took place from 25 to 27 March 2011 in Sandton, South Africa. The regional integration bodies, COMESA and SADC were also present at the meeting. While SADC did not make any presentation, it prepared a roadmap that  contains several activities aimed to support member states in their efforts to prepare for the next COP in South Africa.

The Cancun Agreements Website

The UNFCCC Secretariat has launched a new website to track progress for the implementation of the Cancun Agreements. It lists the promises made by governments in Cancun and gives an overview of issues covered by the Cancun Agreements. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres also called upon governments to maintain momentum and agree on a clear work-plan as well as to resolve outstanding issues. For further information, click here and here.

Kenya first to sell carbon credits from REDD project

The Kasigau Corridor project in Kenya was the first project to issue carbon credits via the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). Developed by Wildlife Works, supported by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and run in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the project aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 3.5 million tons over 20 years. Earnings will go to the local communities and help to build schools, fund health programs and develop organic farming and agro-forestry initiatives. More information.

UN-REDD releases Year in Review report for 2010

This report is highlighting achievements and progress made of the UN-REDD programme on national and global level. It includes an overview of the international partners as well as the achievements of partner countries in their inception and implementation phase. To download the pdf-version (13.1 MB), please visit the website.

UNCBD releases booklet on REDD+, biodiversity and livelihoods

The publication reviews the role of forests in mitigation and adaptation and notes the importance of local partners as beneficiaries of REDD+ projects. It demonstrates how REDD+ can address the inter-linkages between climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty. To download the publication (2.5MB), click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Green Climate Fund Transitional Committee Meeting, 28-29 April 2011, Mexico City, Mexico

The Green Climate Fund was agreed in Cancun and is meant to support poor countries in their efforts to combat climate change. The 40-nation meeting is now scheduled to take place at the end of April with the aim to set up a climate aid program disbursing up to 100 million USD yearly to developing nations.  For further information, click here.

UN Climate Change Conference Bangkok, 3-8 April 2011, Bangkok, Thailand

The next round of AWG-KP and AWG-LCA meetings, as well as workshops pursuant to the Cancun Agreements,will take place in Bangkok from Sunday, 3 April through Friday, 8 April 2011. These meetings and workshops are to be preceded by preparatory regional group meetings from 30 March to 2 April. For further information, visit the UNFCCC website.

SADC Climate Change Positioning Workshop, 26-30 April, Johannesburg, South Africa

The SADC Climate Change Positioning Workshop will take place back-to-back with a negotiation skills training that is organised by the SADC Secretariat with support from GIZ. The events will run from 26 to 28^th April and 29 to 30 respectively. They will bring together participants nominated by the SADC Member States and aims to equip participants with a comprehensive overview of issues at stake in the UNFCCC process as well as negotiation techniques. Please visit our website for updates and more details about this event.

The events will be followed by a regional brainstorming workshop on the development of the Regional climate change programme and strategy on 1^st May 2011.