1 August 2017: This update focuses on individual nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) by developing countries, and related support, events and activities undertaken in July. During this month, Cuba and Sri Lanka registered requests for NAMA support in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) NAMA Registry. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) announced its intention to establish a ‘Rice NAMA Clearing House.’
NAMAs, first introduced in the UNFCCC Cancun Agreements, are actions that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to business-as-usual (BAU) emissions in 2020 in developing countries. They are prepared under the umbrella of a governmental initiative, aligned with the country’s national development goals, and supported by finance, technology and capacity building.
NAMAs are becoming an increasingly important vehicle supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement, with significant co-benefits for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
NAMAs are becoming an increasingly important vehicle supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement, with significant co-benefits for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development due to their alignment with national development strategies. The NAMA-related activities reported in this Update contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 on climate action and SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, among others.
NAMA Update: Four New NAMAs Seek Support
On 1 August 2017, the UNFCCC NAMA Registry displayed a total of: 69 NAMAs seeking support for preparation (up by one from June 2017); 70 NAMAs seeking support for implementation (up by one); nine NAMAs for recognition; 18 entries on support for NAMAs; and 17 supported NAMAs (up by one). The UNFCCC registry facilitates the matching of means of implementation support with NAMAs seeking international support, and at recognizing other NAMAs. [UNFCCC NAMA Registry]
Cuba to Convert Livestock Wastewater into Energy
Cuba submitted a request for support for the preparation of a NAMA that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in pig production through biogas capture from pig wastewater, which will then be used for heat and electricity. The NAMA, which envisages the installation of 3,370 biodigester systems, has a total preparation cost of US$531,000, of which Cuba is seeking US$431,000 in external support. [UNFCCC NAMA Registry]
The Mitigation and Transparency Exchange (formerly NAMA News) reported on the Dominican Republic’s Coffee NAMA, which registered its preparation support request earlier in 2017. The NAMA, which will run through 2028, will reduce GHG emissions by: reducing emissions from fertilizer use; avoiding methane emissions in wastewater use; improving the use of biomass; and capturing carbon through agroforestry systems. [SDG Knowledge Hub February-June 2017 NAMA Update] [Mitigation and Transparency Exchange Press Release]
Sri Lanka to Promote Emission Reductions Through an Enabling NAMA Framework
Sri Lanka is seeking to decrease its oil import dependence and related GHG emissions by diversifying into renewable energy and by reducing demand through demand side management (DSM). Given the lack of systematic quantification of GHG savings and information on related benefits, sub-national entities are struggling to assess the impact of NAMA interventions at sectoral and sub-sectoral levels. In order to address these gaps, Sri Lanka is planning to develop a robust NAMA framework, underpinned by an emissions inventory and a measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) framework and overseen by various expert entities and committees. Sri Lanka is seeking support for the full implementation of the NAMA, at a cost of US$1.8 million. [UNFCCC NAMA Registry Entry]
Guyana and Japan Launch Urban NAMA Pilot; Philippines Engages on Building NAMAs
The Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) launched the Guyana component of a Japan-funded initiative that is supporting adaptation and mitigation actions in eight Caribbean countries with US$15 million. In parallel, a project that will pilot solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy efficient streetlights in the town of Bartica was initiated. The pilot project will complement the development of Guyana’s greening cities and towns NAMA as part of the same J-CCCP project. [Reliefweb Press Release]
In Bangkok, Thailand, the UN Environment organized a working session for NAMA development in the Asian building sector. Discussions centered on planning, including of a public sector social housing NAMA and a private sector residential and commercial sector NAMA, both in the Philippines. The Philippines Green Building Council, behind the proposals, is finalizing the NAMA proposals for submission to the UNFCCC Registry with support from UN Environment. [PHILGBC Press Release]
Thailand: Cooling NAMA Attracts Private-sector Participation; Rice NAMA Clearing House to Be Established
In NAMA implementation news, a NAMA Facility-backed refrigeration and cooling NAMA in Thailand will provide support to nine Thai companies in the planning and execution stages of production line conversions into more climate-friendly and energy efficient ones. The support will also include product design and institutional training components. [NAMA Facility Press Release]
Also in Thailand, a workshop on a rice NAMA, organized by the Thai Rice Department and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), engaged local experts in a brainstorming exercise to support ‘Detailed Preparation Phase’ of the NAMA, which was shortlisted by the NAMA Facility in March 2017. [ASEAN Press Release]
The IRRI, which is co-developing the Thai rice NAMA with GIZ, reported on its intention to establish a ‘Rice NAMA Clearing House.’ The clearing house would “serve as a one-stop information platform for technical advice and collaborative engagement… on NAMA-related programs and projects in Asia.” [CGIAR Press Release]