21 November 2012: The UNFCCC Secretariat’s 32nd Newsletter focuses on the Doha Climate Change Conference, which is being held from 26 November – 7 December in Doha, Qatar. The newsletter features section on adaptation, mitigation, finance, technology and updates on the Ad Hoc Working Groups (AWGs).

In a message, Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, says Doha is an opportunity for Governments “to usher in the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and decide how to progress toward the universal agreement of 2015.” She urges participants to build upon progress made in Cancun and Durban on long-term multilateral action on climate change. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, President-Designate for the 18th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP), calls for practical, cooperative meetings rather than accusations or arguing.

The newsletter describes several mitigation activities, including: a workshop on financing options for the full implementation of results-based actions relating to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+); Monitoring, Review and Verification (MRV) for mitigation actions and emission reduction targets for developed countries; recommendations on the Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI); and establishment of Regional Collaboration Centres to facilitate development of emission reduction projects and ensure that underrepresented countries benefit from the CDM. On adaptation, the Newsletter presents an overview of activities held under the Cancun Adaptation Framework, including the process for national adaptation plans (NAPs), the work programme on loss and damage and the Adaptation Committee.

On finance, the Newsletter states the Co-Chairs of the long-term finance work programme will present their report. This section includes information on the Review of the Adaptation Fund, to be concluded in Doha, and on the Standing Committee meetings, which began work in 2012. The Newsletter spotlights a Memorandum of Understanding on hosting the Climate Technology Centre, which the COP and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) agreed upon.

The Newsletter includes updates on the AWGs and their expected progress in Doha. The AWG on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) aims to build upon previous progress made by defining next steps. It is anticipated that the AWG on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) will conclude its work and agree on decisions related to REDD+. The AWG on Further Commitments of Annex I Parties (AWG-KP) hopes to complete its work and adopt amendments to the Kyoto Protocol, an agreement that would facilitate commencement of a second commitment period on 1 January 2013. [UNFCCC Newsletter]