Support to SIDS representatives on the GCF Board and facilitation of informal meetings

The aim of this project is to assist and empower Small Island Developing States (SIDS) representatives on the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board to operationalize an international climate finance architecture that is responsive to their adaptation needs and will provide increased volumes of funding for mitigation in developing countries to assist in the global peaking of emissions sufficient to keep warming below 1.5°C – one of SIDS and LDCs key demands.

Project period
May 2012–April 2013

Funders
Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)

Objectives

Within the framework of this project on March 22-23, 2012 Climate Analytics in cooperation with the World Resources Institute (WRI) organized an informal workshop for prospective GCF Board members, alternates and advisers, as well as other delegations involved in negotiations related to the establishment and design of the GCF. Twenty-four participants attended the meeting from 19 governments, representing 11 developed countries and 9 developing countries. In addition, two representatives of the interim secretariat participated in the meeting. Participants engaged in an informal, structured conversation to share their views and reach a better understanding of what was agreed in the Durban Decision and the Governing Instrument of the GCF.

Overview

A key accomplishment of SIDS negotiators was that vulnerable countries are represented through dedicated seats in the institutional structures established by the Cancun Agreements. This achievement encouraged them to pursue a leading role in the design process of these institutions. In 2011 Climate Analytics was requested by the finance team of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to extend its support delivered within the framework of the PREVENT and SURVIVE Projects to SIDS representatives on the Transitional Committee (TC) that was tasked by COP 16 to design the GCF. SIDS strong engagement resulted in a better understanding of the special circumstances and capacity constraints of vulnerable countries by other parties that were subsequently reflected in the final GCF governing instrument.

After adoption of the governing instrument SIDS GCF Board representatives expressed a strong interest in Climate Analytics extending its support to GCF Board Meetings to enable the availability of an integrated on-demand support base covering both the development of operational policies of the GCF as well its integration in the overall UNFCCC architecture. Climate Analytics decided to launch a dedicated project funded by the Climate Knowledge and Development Network (CDKN) to be able to fully meet that request. The activities carried out under this project are complementary to the SURVIVE-Project and share an integrated research and support base.

On-demand analytical, strategic and technical support delivered by Climate Analytics should give SIDS representatives confidence to take a leading role in the operationalization of the GCF. Strong engagement of SIDS representatives in the GCF process will promote a better understanding of the special circumstances, needs and capacity constraints of SIDS by other parties, which should be reflected in the operational policies of the fund.

The support provided is based on requests by SIDS Board Representatives and will include the following:

i. Support in the preparation of SIDS delegates for GCF Board Meetings

ii. Real time technical and strategic support during Board Meetings

iii. Policy advice and strategic support on SIDS priorities and other issues identified at the first Board Meeting; and

iv. Facilitation of meetings that allow SIDS delegates to exchange views with their Partners in an informal setting, e.g. in informal workshops

The project is complimentary to the analytical work provided under the SURVIVE-Project that also assists SIDS UNFCCC finance negotiators to develop comprehensive positions on the provision of long-term finance, the evaluation of the fast start finance initiative and working modalities for the Standing Committee.

Linking the support delivered through both of the projects should assist SIDS in reflecting how specific policy options in operationalizing the GCF will impact their overall goals in the UNFCCC negotiations and national climate and development strategies and plans. This should enable SIDS to formulate an integrated strategy in the implementation of the international climate finance architecture as part of the 2015 climate negotiations launched in Durban that takes into account the needs of vulnerable countries.