The Conference of the Parties,
Recalling Articles 2, 3, 4 and 6 of the Convention,
Also recalling decisions 11/CP.8, 9/CP.13 and 7/CP.16,
Reaffirming the importance of Article 6 of the Convention for achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention and for the effective implementation of adaptation and mitigation actions,
Recognizing that education, training and skills development are fundamental for all Parties to achieve sustainable development in the long term,
Also recognizing that a goal of education is to promote changes in lifestyles, attitudes and behaviour needed to foster sustainable development and to prepare children, youth, women, persons with disabilities and grass-root communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change,
Reaffirming that public participation and access to information are crucial in order to develop and implement effective policies, as well as to engage all stakeholders actively in the implementation of these policies,
Also reaffirming the importance of taking into account gender aspects and the need to promote the effective engagement of children, youth, the elderly, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, local communities and non-governmental organizations in activities related to Article 6 of the Convention,
Acknowledging the progress made by Parties, international organizations and civil society in planning, coordinating and implementing education, training, public awareness, public participation and access to information activities,
Recognizing the importance of taking a long-term, strategic and country-driven approach to education, training and skills development at the local, national, subregional, regional and international levels, including strengthening of relevant institutional and sectoral capacities,
Also recognizing that ensuring the availability of sufficient financial and technical resources continues to be a challenge for the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention for all Parties, in particular African countries, the least developed countries and small island developing States,
Having considered the information in documents prepared by the secretariat in support of the review of the implementation of the amended New Delhi work programme on Article 6 of the Convention,
1. Adopts the eight-year Doha work programme on Article 6 of the Convention as contained in the annex to this decision (hereinafter referred to as the work programme);
2. Decides to undertake a review of the work programme in 2020, with an intermediate review of progress 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;
3. Invites Parties to submit information (as part of their national communications, where appropriate) on their efforts and steps taken to implement the work programme and to share their experiences and best practices for the purpose of reviewing the programme in 2016 and 2020;
4. Also invites Parties to provide information on the funding received from all sources, including from the Global Environment Facility, bilateral and multilateral agencies and United Nations organizations, for the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention;
5. Encourages intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue their activities relevant to Article 6 of the Convention, enhance collaborative efforts for implementing Article 6 initiatives and strategies at the international, regional, national and local levels, and share information on their programmatic responses to the work programme through the UNFCCC climate change information network clearing house CC:iNet and other media;
6. Invites multilateral and bilateral institutions and organizations, including operating entities of the financial mechanism of the Convention, as appropriate, to provide financial resources to support the activities relating to the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention;
7. Requests the Global Environment Facility to continue to provide financial resources to Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention, in particular African countries, the least developed countries and small island developing States, in accordance with decisions 11/CP.1, 6/CP.7, 4/CP.9, 7/CP.10, 3/CP.12, 7/CP.13, 3/CP.16 and 11/CP.17, to support the implementation of the work programme and to regularly report to the Conference of the Parties on the activities it has supported;
8. Also requests the secretariat to encourage other intergovernmental organizations in a position to do so to provide technical or financial support, and to promote partnerships with other organizations, the private sector and donors, in order to support the implementation of the work programme;
9. Further requests the Subsidiary Body for Implementation to enhance the work on Article 6 of the Convention by organizing an annual in-session dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention with the participation of Parties, representatives of relevant bodies established under the Convention and relevant experts, practitioners and stakeholders to share their experiences and exchange ideas, best practices and lessons learned regarding the implementation of the work programme;
10. Decides that the dialogue referred to in paragraph 9 above will cluster the six elements of Article 6 of the Convention (education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information and international cooperation) into two focal areas, the consideration of which will alternate on an annual basis, with the first focal area consisting of education and training, the second consisting of public access to information, public participation and public awareness, and international cooperation being a crosscutting theme of both focal areas;
11. Also decides that the first session of the annual dialogue will be held at the thirtyeighth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation and focus on the first focal area;
12. Requests the secretariat to prepare a summary report of every session of the dialogue;
13. Also requests the Subsidiary Body for Implementation, in its consideration of the reviews of the implementation of the work programme referred to in paragraph 2 above, to include the summary reports from the dialogue sessions, referred to in paragraph 12 above, as additional inputs to these reviews;
14. Further requests that the actions of the secretariat called for in this decision be undertaken subject to the availability of financial resources.
Annex
Doha work programme on Article 6 of the Convention
I. Observations
1. The implementation of all elements of Article 6 of the Convention – education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information and international cooperation – will contribute to meeting the objective of the Convention.
2. All Parties are responsible for the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention. The capacity to implement Article 6 related activities will vary among countries, as will the priority thematic areas and target audiences, consistent with their sustainable development priorities and the culturally preferred method of programme delivery, in order to increase people’s understanding of the climate change issue.
3. Regional, subregional and international cooperation can enhance the collective ability of Parties to implement the Convention, improve synergies, avoid duplication of effort between the different conventions, and ultimately both improve the effectiveness of programming and facilitate its support.
4. It is important to learn more from countries regarding their experiences, lessons learned, good practices and challenges in the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention, so that Parties and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that have the resources to do so might effectively target their efforts at providing appropriate support.
5. Many Parties, IGOs, NGOs and community-based organizations, as well as the private and public sectors, have been actively raising awareness on, and increasing understanding of, the causes and impacts of climate change, as well as solutions. The availability of sufficient financial and technical resources for the adequate implementation of Article 6 of the Convention continues to be a challenge for all Parties, in particular developing countries.
6. The nature of Article 6 activities carried out by Parties can easily be reported. However, monitoring and evaluating the impacts of these activities remains a challenge.
7. Implementation of Article 6 activities and programmes can complement lowemission and climate-resilient development strategies.
8. Gender is a cross-cutting issue in all six elements of Article 6 of the Convention.
9. Implementation of Article 6 of the Convention has a broad range of stakeholders, including, governments, the private sector, IGOs, NGOs and others international organizations, decision makers, scientists, the media, teachers, the general public, youth, women, people with disabilities and indigenous peoples among others.
10. Implementation of Article 6 of the Convention serves to spread and improve understanding and awareness of climate change and to change behaviour, and therefore communication should address the general public and all stakeholders, such as those referred to in paragraph 9 above.
11. In order to increase climate change awareness, Article 6 activities should be integrated into sectoral strategies and plans.
II. Purposes and guiding principles
12. The Doha work programme on Article 6 of the Convention sets out the scope of, and provides the basis for action on, activities related to Article 6 of the Convention, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. It should serve as a flexible framework for country-driven action addressing the specific needs and circumstances of Parties and reflecting their national priorities and initiatives.
13. The Doha work programme builds on existing decisions of the Conference of the Parties (COP), specifically the Marrakesh Accords, which contain a number of references to Article 6 activities, in particular decisions 2/CP.7 and 3/CP.7 on capacity-building in developing countries and in countries with economies in transition, respectively, 4/CP.7 on development and transfer of technologies and 5/CP.7 on implementation of Article 4, paragraphs 8 and 9, of the Convention.
14. The Doha work programme shall be guided by:
(a) A country-driven approach;
(b) Cost-effectiveness;
(c) Flexibility;
(d) Gender and an intergenerational approach;
(e) A phased approach integrating Article 6 activities into existing climate change programmes and strategies;
(f) Promotion of partnerships, networks and synergies, in particular synergies between conventions; (g) An interdisciplinary multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder and participatory approach;
(h) A holistic, systematic approach;
(i) The principles of sustainable development. III. Scope of the Doha work programme
15. As part of their national programmes to implement the Convention, and taking into account national circumstances and capacities, Parties are encouraged to undertake activities under the categories listed below, which reflect the six elements of Article 6 of the Convention.
A. Education
16. Cooperate in, promote, facilitate, develop and implement formal and non-formal education and training programmes focused on climate change at all levels, targeting women and youth in particular, and including the exchange or secondment of personnel to train experts.
B. Training
17. Cooperate in, promote, facilitate, develop and implement training programmes focused on climate change for groups with a key role, such as scientific, technical and managerial personnel, journalists, teachers and community leaders at the local, national, subregional, regional and international levels, as appropriate. Technical skills and knowledge provide an opportunity to adequately address and respond to climate change issues. C. Public awareness
18. Cooperate in, promote, facilitate, develop and implement public awareness programmes on climate change and its effects at the national and, as appropriate, subregional, regional and international levels by, inter alia, encouraging contributions and personal action in addressing climate change, supporting climate-friendly policies and fostering behavioural changes, including by using popular media, noting the important role that social media platforms and strategies can play in this context.
D. Public access to information
19. Facilitate public access to data and information, by providing the information on climate change initiatives, policies and results of actions that is needed by the public and other stakeholders to understand, address and respond to climate change. This should take into account such factors as quality of Internet access, literacy and language issues.
E. Public participation
20. Promote public participation in addressing climate change and its effects and in developing adequate responses, by facilitating feedback, debate and partnership in climate change activities and in governance, noting the important role that social media platforms and strategies can play in this context.
F. International cooperation
21. Subregional, regional and international cooperation in undertaking activities within the scope of the work programme can enhance the collective ability of Parties to implement the Convention. The efforts of IGOs and NGOs can also contribute to its implementation. Such cooperation can further enhance synergies between conventions and improve the effectiveness of all sustainable development efforts.
IV. Implementation
A. Parties
22. As part of their national programmes and activities in implementing the Convention, and within the scope of the Doha work programme, Parties could, inter alia:
Strategy
(a) Designate and provide support, including technical and financial support, and access to information and materials to a national focal point for Article 6 activities and assign specific responsibilities. These responsibilities could include the identification of areas for possible international cooperation and opportunities for strengthening synergies with other conventions, and the coordination of the preparation of the Article 6 chapter in the national communications, ensuring that relevant contact information, including web addresses, is provided therein;
(b) Develop institutional and technical capacity to:
- (i) Identify gaps and needs for the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention;
- (ii) Assess the effectiveness of Article 6 activities;
- (iii) Consider the linkages between Article 6 activities, implementation of policies and measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and other commitments under the Convention, such as technology transfer and capacity-building;
(c) Prepare assessments of needs specific to national circumstances in the area of the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention, including the use of social research methods and other relevant instruments to determine target audiences and potential partnerships;
(d) Prepare a national strategy on Article 6 of the Convention, which could be structured according to the scope elements and target stakeholders mentioned in paragraph 9 above;
(e) Develop communication strategies on climate change on the basis of targeted social research in order to create behavioural changes;
(f) Strengthen national education and training/skills development institutions to deliver climate change learning action.
Tools and activities
(a) Develop a directory of organizations and individuals, with an indication of their experience and expertise relevant to Article 6 activities, with a view to building active networks involved in the implementation of these activities;
(b) Increase the availability of copyright-free and translated climate change materials, in accordance with laws and standards relating to the protection of copyrighted materials;
(c) Seek opportunities to disseminate widely relevant information on climate change. Measures could include translation into appropriate languages and distribution of popularized versions of key documents on climate change, including assessment reports and other reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
(d) Benefit from new technologies, especially from social networks, in order to integrate these into Article 6 strategies;
(e) Develop appropriate social media programmes, noting the important and complementary role that such platforms can play in the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention;
(f) Promote and enhance the inclusion of climate change in school curricula at all levels and across disciplines. Efforts could be made to develop materials and promote teacher training focused on climate change at the regional and international levels where appropriate;
(g) Integrate climate change learning into the curricula of institutions that provide formal education and training at all levels and support non-formal and informal education on climate change, training of trainers programmes and the development of educational, training and public awareness materials in accordance with national circumstances and the cultural context;
(h) Develop tools and methodologies to support climate change training and skills development through collaborative efforts and provide training programmes for groups with a key role in climate change communication and education, including journalists, teachers, youth, children and community leaders;
(i) Seek input and public participation, including participation by youth, women, civil society organizations and other groups, in the formulation and implementation of efforts to address climate change, and also in relation to the preparation of national communications, and encourage the involvement and participation of representatives of all stakeholders and major groups in the climate change negotiation process;
(j) Inform the public about causes of climate change and sources of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as actions that can be taken at all levels to address climate change;
(k) Foster the participation of all stakeholders in the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention and invite them to report on the implementation of activities. In particular, enhance the active participation of youth, women, civil society organizations and the media;
(l) Encourage the public as part of public awareness programmes to contribute to mitigation and adaptation actions;
(m) Participate in the annual dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention organized by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), subject to the availability of financial resources.
Monitoring and review
(a) Conduct surveys, such as “knowledge-attitude-practice/behaviour” surveys, to establish a baseline of public awareness, which can serve as a basis for further work and support the monitoring of the impact of activities;
(b) Share the findings contained in their national communications and national action plans or domestic programmes on climate change with the general public and all stakeholders;
(c) Develop criteria for identifying and disseminating information on good practices for Article 6 activities, at the national or regional levels in accordance with national circumstances and capacities, and promote the sharing of such practices;
(d) Seek to enhance cooperation and coordination in developing and implementing Article 6 activities at the international and regional levels. This includes identifying partners and networks with other Parties, IGOs and NGOs, the private sector, state and local governments and community-based organizations. Parties should also promote and facilitate the exchange of information and materials, and the sharing of experience and good practices.
B. Regional and international efforts
23. To strengthen regional and international efforts, Parties and other relevant organizations and agencies in a position to do so could cooperate in and support the following activities:
(a) Promote the implementation of Article 6 activities taking into account challenges and opportunities in regional and subregional contexts;
(b) Strengthen existing regional institutions and networks;
(c) Promote and encourage regional programmes and projects that support the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention and promote the sharing of experiences, including through the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned, and the exchange of information and data;
(d) Create regional portals for the UNFCCC climate change information network clearing house (CC:iNet), in collaboration with regional centres, to further develop and enhance the functionality and user-friendliness of the clearing house;
(e) Develop regional programmes and activities, including the preparation of training and education materials as well as other tools, using local languages where applicable and practical;
(f) Promote the implementation of pilot projects through collaborative actions at the regional and national levels on any of the six elements of Article 6 of the Convention, and support their replication and expansion and the sharing of lessons learned and experiences;
(g) Conduct regional and subregional workshops to promote training, the exchange and sharing of experiences and best practices, and the transfer of knowledge and skills;
(h) Strengthen North–South, South–South and triangular collaboration in matters of climate change education and training, skills development.
C. Intergovernmental organizations
24. United Nations organizations, in particular the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the World Meteorological Organization, as the members of the United Nations Alliance on Climate Change Education, Training and Public Awareness, are invited, inter alia:
(a) To continue supporting efforts to implement activities under Article 6 of the Convention through their work programmes, and through specific programmes focused on climate change, including, as appropriate, through the provision and dissemination of information and resource materials, such as visual materials that could easily be translated and adapted, as well as through the provision of financial and technical support;
(b) To strengthen collaboration with, and enhance the involvement of, other IGOs with a view to ensuring coordinated support to Parties in their activities related to Article 6 of the Convention and avoiding duplication of work;
(c) To further strengthen regional and international cooperation by mobilizing partnerships and networking among Parties, IGOs, NGOs, academia, the private sector, state and local governments and community-based organizations and by jointly designing, implementing and evaluating activities and policies related to Article 6 of the Convention;
(d) To contribute to the implementation of the Doha work programme in their respective areas of competence;
(e) To support countries in developing a long-term, strategic and country-driven approach to climate change education, training and skills development, which is linked to national climate change objectives, and strengthening relevant national institutions;
(f) To design and implement training programmes, develop guidelines and provide other direct support to national focal points for Article 6 of the Convention;
(g) To promote in partnership with Parties and civil society the organization of global, regional, subregional and national workshops focusing on specific elements of Article 6 of the Convention; (h) To participate in the annual dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention organized by the SBI.
D. Non-governmental organizations
25. NGOs are encouraged to continue their activities relating to Article 6 of the Convention and are invited to consider ways to enhance cooperation between NGOs from different geographical regions and subject areas, as well as collaboration on activities between IGOs, NGOs and Parties.
26. NGOs are invited to foster the participation of all stakeholders in the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention and to encourage them to report on the implementation of their activities. In particular, NGOs are invited to enhance the active participation of youth, women, civil society organizations and the media in climate change activities.
27. NGOs are also invited to participate in the annual dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention.
E. Support
28. Parties will need to determine the most efficient and cost-effective way to implement Article 6 activities, and are encouraged to create partnerships with other Parties, as well as IGOs and NGOs and other stakeholders, to facilitate the implementation of these activities, including the identification of priority areas for support and funding.
29. As initial priorities, the implementation of the Doha work programme will require the strengthening of national institutions and capacities, in particular in developing countries.
F. Review of progress and reporting
30. The COP, through the SBI, will undertake a review of progress in the implementation of this work programme in 2020, with an intermediate review of progress in 2016. The assessment of the usefulness of the annual in-session dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention will constitute part of the review in 2020.
31. All Parties are requested to report on activities and policies implementing Article 6 in their national communications, where possible, and in other reports, on their accomplishments, lessons learned, experiences gained and remaining challenges and opportunities, noting that the six elements of Article 6 provide a useful guide for this reporting.
32. Parties and relevant organizations are encouraged to share information on the implementation of the work programme through CC:iNet and social media platforms, in addition to formal reporting channels such as national communications.
33. IGOs are invited to develop programmatic responses to the Doha work programme and, following consultations with the secretariat, to communicate to the SBI, through the secretariat, the responses and progress achieved, for the purpose of reviewing the programme and evaluating its effectiveness in 2016 and 2020.
34. NGOs are invited to provide relevant information to the secretariat and in accordance with their national circumstances, informing and involving their national focal point as appropriate, on progress achieved, for the purpose of reviewing the Doha work programme and evaluating its effectiveness in 2016 and 2020.
G. Role of the secretariat
35. In accordance with Article 8 of the Convention, the secretariat is requested to facilitate the work on the Doha work programme and, in particular:
(a) To prepare reports to the SBI on progress achieved by Parties in implementing Article 6 of the Convention, based on information contained in national communications, reports on the annual in-session dialogue on Article 6 and other sources of information, including a report1 on good practices of stakeholder participation in implementing Article 6 activities. These reports will be issued regularly, and in particular for the intermediate progress review in 2016 and the review in 2020;
(b) To facilitate coordinated inputs into the eight-year Doha work programme from relevant organizations;
(c) To continue its work on maintaining, developing and promoting CC:iNet, by reforming its structure, improving its functionality and accessibility and increasing the content in the official United Nations languages and other languages;
(d) To establish a network of national focal points for Article 6 of the Convention and facilitate a regular exchange of views, good practices and lessons learned through CC:iNet and the organization of workshops, videoconferences and activities at the international, regional and national levels in order to build and strengthen the existing skills and capacities of national focal points for Article 6;
(e) To catalyse collaborative training initiatives and projects to promote an effective implementation of Article 6 of the Convention at the international, regional and national levels in cooperation with Parties, international organizations, NGOs, youth organizations and development partners;
(f) To continue its work on the United Nations Joint Framework Initiative on Children, Youth and Climate Change in order to enhance the involvement and participation of children and youth in Article 6 activities and their attendance at intergovernmental meetings, including sessions of the COP;
(g) To continue collaborating and coordinating with United Nations organizations, other IGOs, NGOs, the private sector, civil society and youth, with a view to catalysing action on the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention.
