CLIMATE CHANGE IN ZIMBABWE ON THE ROLE OF CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM 24 September 2007 W. Zhakata Climate Change Office
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM??
What's Known for Certain? Scientists know for certain that human activities are changing the composition of Earth's atmosphere. There is no doubt this atmospheric buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is largely the result of human activities.
GLOBAL EFFORTS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION Energy efficiency Low-carbon technologies Sustainable transport Clean energy technologies Greening the environment Technology substitution Introduction of Carbon Dioxide emission permits for industry Education, awareness and advocacy
MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Aim: Stabilization of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere at a levels that would not interfere with the climate system. Kyoto Protocol (KP) Industrialized countries have taken binding limits on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Reduce overall man-made made GHG emissions by 5.2% below their 1990 levels between the years 2008-2012.
MECHANISMS FOR GHG REDUCTIONS: Joint Implementation (JI) Emissions Trading Clean Development Mechanism
CDM in Zimbabwe Ministry of Environment and Tourism in the focal point for CDM The Climate Change Office acts as the Secretariat for CDM A Designated National Authority has been set up
ZIMBABWE DESIGNATED NATIONAL AUTHORITY Structure Zimbabwean Designated National Authority is the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) NCCC consists of Members of the Committee, aided by a Secretariat (Climate Change Office) and Technical Team When necessary, NCCC may ask assistance from Expert Groups to arrange a Stakeholder Forum Special Meetings.
Functions Regulatory (mandatory) Granting recommendation to CDM project proposals that pass Zimbabwe s s sustainable development criteria Tracking and annual reporting to the UNFCCC Secretariat
Promotional (optional) Facilitating communication between investors and project proponents as well as other stakeholders Facilitating capacity building for Zimbabwean institutions to be able to propose and implement CDM projects Providing information on available Certified Emission Reductions (CERs( CERs) ) and/or CER potential to prospective buyers
Awareness raising for climate change and for the use of clean technologies Involvement of the private sector in the climate change regime Promotion of CDM related investments Stimulation of the transfer of low and zero carbon technologies
CDM issues revolve around: i) governance; ii) CDM objectives; iii) eligibility of projects, and iv) the functioning of the international emissions trading
NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA Environmental Criteria and Indicators The scope of evaluation is the area having direct ecological impacts from the project. Economic Criteria and Indicators The scope of evaluation is administrative border of regency. If the impacts are cross boundary, the scope of evaluation includes all impacted regencies. Social Criteria and Indicators The scope of evaluation is administrative border of regency. If the impacts are cross boundary, the scope of evaluation includes all impacted regencies.
Technological Criteria and Indicators The scope of evaluation is national border. Criteria: Technology transfer Indicator: Not causing dependencies on foreign parties in knowledge and appliance operation (transfer of knowhow) Indicator: Not using experimental or obsolete technologies Indicator: Enhancing the capacity and utilisation of local technology
Most promising sectors to generate marketable CDM Energy supply / electricity generation Agriculture / forestry Transportation Industry Other
Types of Projects submitted Wood Waste Power Generation Sewage Gas Electricity Project Co-generation in the Sugar Industry Energy Efficiency Hydro-electric Power generation
CONSTRAINTS FOR CDM IN ZIMBABWE Lack of domestic legal / institutional framework (e.g. lack of title to emission rights) Lack of local/regional financing sources to execute CDM projects Limited capacity among various stakeholders to formulate and develop CDM projects Limited understanding of the opportunities that CDM represent for the country
Important target groups for capacity building on the Kyoto Protocol Politicians - state administration Private sector decision-makers / managers Academia/experts NGOs Mass media
What capacity? Further research/analysis on key issues such as abatement costs Capacity to identify and prepare CDM/JI project proposals Capacity to maximize local benefits of CDM A National Authority for the CDM and procedures for project approval that involve local stakeholders Expertise on project financing and risk management Capacity of in-country financial sources to understand, support and finance CDM
Current Climate Change Negotiations Post 2012 commitments (Kyoto successor???) Commitment by EU to reduce GHG emissions by 20% by 2020. Reduction of 30% by 2020 if other developed countries also commit themselves to comparable emission reductions economically more advanced developing countries also contribute to GHG reductions
CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE Sounds good idea Costly Requires extensive consultation with local experts This is a new concept difficult to market Too many questions
CONCERNS ABOUT CCS Leakages Insurance for/against consequences Who bears responsibility for adverse consequences? If applied close to borders, any conflicts?
Think globally
But act locally
THANK YOU W. ZHAKATA COORDINATOR CLIMATE CHANGE OFFICE ZIMBABWE climate@ecoweb.co.zw