Argentina-EU-UNDP Low Emission Capacity Building Programme (LECBP)

Overview

"Due to its size (8th largest country of the world) and vast north-south extension Argentina comprises a wealth of ecosystems, many of which may be impacted by climate change. At the same time, the growing economy and agriculture call for comprehensive approaches to address national emission levels. Through a process initiated in 2009 the Secretary of Environment led the creation of a Governmental Committee on Climate Change (GCCC) formed by key institutions involved in the generation of data, programs, policy development and implementation regarding climate change, which includes 21 Government Organizations, plus representatives from the private sector, NGOS, labor unions and academia. In October 2010 the GCCC adopted a first document defining the structure and main objectives toward a National Strategy on Climate Change (NSCC), and in August 2011 the first stage of the NSCC was achieved, with the document defining the national priority actions on climate change.vii

The country joined the Low-Emission Capacity-Building Project to contribute to the development of the NSCC through:

• creating a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory management system and data gathering for strengthening the MRV requirements for NAMAs
• developing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in key industrial sectors
• creating MRV systems
• develop capacity.

PLANNED OUT PUTS OF THE PROJECT Description of project outcomes and key activities

• Outcome 1: GHG emission inventories system for fertilizer and petrochemical sectors revised and strengthened
  • Activity 1: Strengthening of capacities in public institutions and public sector
  • Activity 2: Consultation and validation processes with private sector
  • Activity 3: Methodology design and preparation for GHG Inventory revision
  • Activity 4: Inventory management system design
  • Activity 5: Output validation
  • Activity 6: Knowledge sharing and diffusion
• Outcome 2: NAMAs prepared and formulated including Mitigation Sectoral Assessments for fertilizer and petrochemical sectors
  • Activity 1: Baseline and low emissions scenarios preparations
  • Activity 2: Identification of actions, projects, programs, policies, incentives and/or instruments for implementing/mainstreaming
  • Activity 3: Sectoral mitigation assessment
  • Activity 4: Feasibility analysis and prioritization of evaluated alternatives and opportunities – concrete measures
  • Activity 5: Financial proposal
  • Activity 6: Selection of mitigation actions
  • Activity 7: NAMAs preparation and validation
• Outcome 3: MRV systems have been created to support implementation of the sectoral industrial strategic investment plan for fertilizer and petrochemical sectors
  • Activity 1: Scoping of monitoring system
  • Activity 2: Identification of information flows, manuals and procedures
  • Activity 3: Institutional analysis and capacity for implementing monitoring system
  • Activity 4: Elaborating the formats, tools and website support for implementing the monitoring system
  • Activity 5: Preparation of MRV system
  • Activity 6: Pilot and revision of MRV system
  • Activity 7: Kick off meeting for the MRV system
  • Activity 7: Training program implemented for institutions in charge of the monitoring system
  • Activity 7: Drafting and issuing a policy proposal to implement this tool
• Outcome 4: Capacity development to integrate the results of this project into the Government Committee on CC decision making as well as sectoral ministries
  • Activity 1: Design and implement a training of trainers program
  • Activity 2: Design and implement courses
  • Activity 3: Design policy brief and policy documents and create papers in order to support government officials to take policy informed decisions
  • Activity 4: Design Resolutions, and bills

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS The project will be lead by the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Secretariat of Industry. The National Project Steering Committee comprises two members from both Secretariats, one member from EU and UNDP, and thematic groups such as Ad Hoc groups for NAMA development and MRV requirements. Further stakeholders involved in the process include representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Planning and Policy Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Social Development, as well as the Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Energy, the Secretariats of Planning of Public Investment, Secretariat of Economic Policy, Federal Council of Environment, Federal Council of Water, as well as national commissions, institutions and administrations among others.viii vii Workshop presentation by National Project Focal Point Berlin November 2011 viii Workshop presentation by National Project Focal Point Berlin November 2011" (reference 2)

Program Overview

The EU-UNDP Low Emission Capacity Building Programme (LECBP) was launched in January 2011 as part of a joint collaboration between the European Union (EU - European Commission and Member States) and the United National Development Programme (UNDP).

This collaborative, country-driven programme aims to strengthen technical and institutional capacities at the country level, while at the same time facilitating inclusion and coordination of the public and private sector in national initiatives addressing climate change. It does so by utilizing the global networks and substantial experience established by the UNDP through our wide portfolio of projects and programmes around the globe. The EU-UNDP Low Emission Capacity Building Programme is part of the larger Green, Low-Emission Climate Resilient Development Strategy of UNDP and gains insight from and builds on global programmes and initiatives already developed by UNDP and EU.

As activity progresses, capacity buildings needs have been identified including assistance with data gaps, building scenarios, and local expertise. Technical assistance aimed at these needs is being provided in the form of guidance materials, targeted backstopping, and training workshops.

Programme Objectives

With initial contributions of €8,000,000 from the European Commission and €5,000,000 from the Federal Republic of Germany, the programmes overall objective is to strengthen capacities in participating countries in the following ways:

• Develop greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory management systems
• Identify opportunities for nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMA)
• Design low emission development strategies (LEDS) in the context of national priorities
• Design systems for measuring, reporting, and verification of proposed actions and means to reduce GHG emissions
• Facilitate the design and adoption of mitigation actions by selected industries in some countries

Progress and Outcomes

Capacity building activities include strengthening implementation of climate change policies, development of climate change policies, enhancing capacity for implementing NAMAs, preparation of GHG inventories, enhancing capacity for implementing LEDS, and enhancing financing for energy efficient projects. Capacity building needs identified include: "Support for the development of NAMAs and LEDS, including how to access climate finance. Building technical expertise to put in place a national inventory system."