23 March 2016: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published an intermediate review of progress made in implementing the Doha work programme on Article 6 (education, training and public awareness) of the Convention. The good practices, gaps and recommendations relayed in this synthesis report (FCCC/SBI/2016/6) draw from information submitted by Parties, admitted observer organizations and other relevant stakeholders by 19 February 2016.

The Doha work programme on Article 6 was adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC at its 18th session in 2012. The COP decided the eight-year work programme would undergo an intermediate review in 2016 to “evaluate its effectiveness, identify any emerging gaps and needs, and inform any decisions on improving the work programme’s effectiveness as appropriate” (Decision 15/CP.18). A final review will take place in 2020.

The report contains sections on climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information and international cooperation on these matters. Each section includes information on progress made, lessons learned and good practices, as well as needs, gaps and barriers. The review also reflects on Parties’ progress in integrating Article 6 activities into existing climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes and strategies, as encouraged by the Doha work programme.

In its final conclusions, the report notes that, inter alia, while progress has been made and reporting in these areas has increased, Parties’ Article 6 actions are not necessarily embedded in their broader mitigation and adaptation programmes. Barriers such as absence of institutional arrangements, inadequate funding, lack of human resources and insufficient coordination and cooperation among a country’s authorities are underscored.

The report ends with recommendations received from Parties, including: creating a voluntary seed fund for these activities; forging partnerships with relevant stakeholders; incorporating gender-sensitivity; improving coordination among ministries; and encouraging youth participation at UNFCCC meetings.

The Secretariat’s report will be considered by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) at its 44th session, taking place from 16-26 May 2016, in Bonn, Germany. The report will inform any recommendations agreed by the SBI to enhance or improve the implementation of the work programme. [Progress Made in Implementing the Doha Work Programme on Article 6 of the Convention]