Gender Mandates in Climate Policy

Before you start

In the last few years, the UNFCCC – the only one out of three Rio Conventions that lacked mandates on women’s rights and gender equality from the outset – has made major strides in integrating gender across all thematic areas in the negotiations. In 2014, the Lima Work Programme on Gender launched, and in 2015, the Paris Agreement integrated gender equality as a preambular principle for all climate action, as well as in relation to adaptation and capacity building. In 2017, the first Gender Action Plan was adopted, followed in 2019 by the adoption of the enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and its Gender Action Plan. Additional decisions have aimed to enhance gender equality via both policy and practice, encouraging gender balance indecision-making as well as responsiveness to gender issues in the development, implementation and monitoring of climate change policies and actions.

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Decision 18/CP.19

National adaptation plans

Tags 
Event 
COP19
Year 
2013

Gender reference

Recalls decisions 1/CP.165/CP.17 and 12/CP.18, which mandate a gender-sensitive approach to the development of national adaptation plans.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions 1/CP.16, 5/CP.17 and 12/CP.18,

Affirming that best value adaptation is achieved through early and integrated planning and action at all levels,

Reaffirming the importance of addressing adaptation planning in the broader context of sustainable development,

Noting that addressing climate change risks and impacts will contribute to achieving long-term sustainable development,

Recalling that planning for adaptation at the national level is a continuous, progressive and iterative process, the implementation of which should be based on nationally identified priorities, including those reflected in the relevant national documents, plans and strategies, and coordinated with national sustainable development objectives, plans, policies and programmes,

1. Emphasizes that undertaking the national adaptation plan process is an investment for the future that will enable countries to assess and prioritize adaptation needs in a coherent and strategic manner;

2. Welcomes the technical guidelines for the national adaptation plan process, which will assist the least developed country Parties in undertaking their national adaptation plan process, and which may be used by other Parties;

3. Also welcomes the establishment of the national adaptation plan global support programme for the least developed countries2 for facilitating technical support to the least developed country Parties;

4. Invites developed country Parties, United Nations organizations, specialized agencies and other relevant organizations, as well as bilateral and multilateral agencies, to continue to enhance financial and technical support to the national adaptation plan process for the least developed country Parties, and other interested developing country Parties that are not least developed countries;

5. Also invites United Nations organizations, specialized agencies and other relevant organizations, as well as bilateral and multilateral agencies, to consider establishing or enhancing support programmes for the national adaptation plan process within their mandates, as appropriate, which could facilitate the provision of financial and technical support to developing country Parties that are not least developed countries, and to submit to the secretariat, by 26 March 2014, information on how they have responded to this invitation;

6. Further invites Parties and relevant organizations to submit, by 26 March 2014, information on their experience with the application of the initial guidelines for the formulation of national adaptation plans,3 as well as any other information relevant to the formulation and implementation of the national adaptation plans, for compilation by the secretariat into a miscellaneous document, for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its fortieth session (June 2014);

7. Decides to continue to take stock of, and, if necessary, revise the initial guidelines for the formulation of national adaptation plans at its twentieth session (December 2014), taking into account the submissions referred to in paragraph 6 above. 

Gender reference

5. Encourages regional groups, in nominating their experts to the Consultative Group of Experts, to make every effort to ensure balanced representation in the areas of expertise referred to in paragraph 4 above, as well as take into account gender balance in accordance with decisions 36/CP.7 and 23/CP.18. As part of fulfilling the mandate of the CGE, this decision also requested the CGGE to provide technical advice and support to Parties on the provision of information on steps to integrate climate change considerations into relevant social, economic and environmental policies and actions.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling the relevant provisions of the Convention, in particular Article 4, paragraphs 1, 3 and 7, and Article 12, paragraphs 1, 4, 5 and 7,

Also recalling decisions 8/CP.5, 3/CP.8, 17/CP.8, 8/CP.11, 5/CP.15, 1/CP.16, 2/CP.17, 14/CP.17, 17/CP.18 and 18/CP.18,

Acknowledging that the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention has made a substantial contribution to improving the process of the preparation of national communications by Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (non-Annex I Parties) by providing technical advice and support and therefore enhancing the capacity of such Parties to prepare their national communications,

Recalling decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 60, that decided to enhance the reporting in national communications from non-Annex I Parties, and emphasizing that the Consultative Group of Experts could continue to provide technical advice and support for the preparation of biennial update reports,

Emphasizing the importance of providing relevant technical advice and support for the process of the preparation of national communications and biennial update reports, as well as the importance of providing a forum for non-Annex I Parties to share their experiences of this process,

Recognizing that developing countries require enhanced support in the process of enhanced reporting,

Also recognizing that the preparation of national communications and biennial update reports is a continuous process,

1. Decides to continue the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention for a period of five years from 2014 to 2018;

2. Also decides that the Consultative Group of Experts, in fulfilling its mandate, shall function in accordance with the revised terms of reference contained in the annex to this decision;

3. Further decides that the membership of the Consultative Group of Experts shall be the same as set out in decision 3/CP.8, annex, paragraphs 3–8;

4. Decides that the Consultative Group of Experts shall be composed of experts drawn from the UNFCCC roster of experts with expertise in at least one of the sections of national communications or biennial update reports in accordance with the relevant guidelines;

5. Encourages regional groups, in nominating their experts to the Consultative Group of Experts, to make every effort to ensure balanced representation in the areas of expertise referred to in paragraph 4 above, as well as take into account gender balance in accordance with decisions 36/CP.7 and 23/CP.18;

6. Requests the secretariat to publish the list of the members of the Consultative Group of Experts, including their respective area of expertise and experience relating to national communications and/or biennial update reports, and to notify the Subsidiary Body for Implementation of such appointments;

7. Also requests the Consultative Group of Experts to submit a progress report annually on its work to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation for its consideration at the sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation which are held in conjunction with the sessions of the Conference of the Parties;

8. Decides to review, at its twenty-second session (November–December 2016), the mandate and terms of reference of the Consultative Group of Experts, with a view to adopting a decision at the same session;

9. Requests the secretariat to facilitate the work of the Consultative Group of Experts by:

(a) Organizing meetings and workshops of the Consultative Group of Experts and compiling reports on its meetings and workshops for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation;

(b) Providing technical support to the Consultative Group of Experts, as required, in relation to the process of and the preparation of national communications or biennial update reports by non-Annex I Parties;

(c) Liaising with other relevant multilateral programmes and organizations with a view to providing additional financial and technical support to the Consultative Group of Experts, as required, related to the preparation of national communications and biennial update reports;

(d) Disseminating the information materials and technical reports prepared by the Consultative Group of Experts to Parties, and other relevant experts and organizations;

(e) Providing assistance, including technical and logistical support, to the Consultative Group of Experts for developing and organizing appropriate training programmes for nominated technical experts, on the basis of the most updated training materials of the Consultative Group of Experts, with a view to improving the technical analysis, taking into account the difficulties encountered by non-Annex I Parties in the preparation of their biennial update reports;

10. Urges developed country Parties included in Annex II to the Convention and other developed country Parties in a position to do so to provide financial resources to enhance the support provided by the secretariat to the work of the Consultative Group of Experts and to support the full operation of the work of the Consultative Group of Experts;

11. Takes note of, as provided by the secretariat, the estimated budgetary implications of the actions requested of the secretariat in paragraph 9 above and other actions contained in the annex to this decision;

12. Also takes note that the requirements for additional resources for the implementation of the relevant actions referred to in paragraph 9 above and in the annex to this decision cannot be met by the approved core budget of the secretariat for the biennium 2014–2015;

13. Requests that the actions of the secretariat called for in this decision be undertaken subject to the availability of financial resources.

Annex

Terms of reference of the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention

1. The Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (CGE) shall have the objective of improving the process of and preparation of national communications and biennial update reports by Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (non-Annex I Parties) by providing technical advice and support to such Parties.

2. The CGE, in fulfilling its mandate, shall:

(a) Identify and provide technical assistance regarding problems and constraints that have affected the process of and the preparation of national communications and biennial update reports by non-Annex I Parties;

(b) Provide technical assistance and support to non-Annex I Parties to facilitate the process of and preparation of their national communications and biennial update reports in accordance with the “Guidelines for the preparation of national communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention” contained in the annex to decision 17/CP.8 and the “UNFCCC biennial update reporting guidelines for Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention” contained in annex III to decision 2/CP.17;

(c) Provide technical advice to non-Annex I Parties to facilitate the development and long-term sustainability of processes of the preparation of national communications and biennial update reports, including the elaboration of appropriate institutional arrangements and the establishment and maintenance of national technical teams, for the preparation of national communications and biennial update reports, including greenhouse gas inventories, on a continuous basis;

(d) Provide recommendations, as appropriate, on elements to be considered in a future revision of the guidelines for the preparation of national communications and biennial update reports from non-Annex I Parties, taking into account the difficulties encountered by non-Annex I Parties in the preparation of their national communications and biennial update reports;

(e) Provide technical advice and support to Parties, upon request, and information on existing activities and programmes, including bilateral, regional and multilateral sources of financial and technical assistance, to facilitate and support the preparation of national communications and biennial update reports by non-Annex I Parties;

(f) Provide technical advice and support to Parties, upon request, on the provision of information on steps to integrate climate change considerations into relevant social, economic and environmental policies and actions, in accordance with Article 4, paragraph 1(f), of the Convention;

(g) Provide information and technical advice based on, where possible, lessons learned and best practices in the process of and preparation of national communications and biennial update reports by non-Annex I Parties, including in relation to finance and other support available;

(h) Provide guidance and periodic advice to the secretariat to assist it in fulfilling the selection criteria for the composition of the team of technical experts, in accordance with decision 20/CP.19, annex, paragraphs 3–5, taking also into account the reports provided by the secretariat in this regard on a semi-annual basis;

(i) Develop and organize, with assistance of the secretariat, appropriate training programmes for nominated technical experts to begin no later than in 2014, based on the most updated training materials of the Consultative Group of Experts, with a view to improving the technical analysis taking into account the difficulties encountered by nonAnnex I Parties in the preparation of their biennial update reports.

3. The Consultative Group of Experts shall, in defining and implementing its work programme, take into account other relevant work by expert groups under the Convention in order to avoid duplication of work.

4. The Consultative Group of Experts shall revise its rules of procedure, if needed.

5. The Consultative Group of Experts shall develop, at its first meeting in 2014, a work programme for 2014–2018.

6. The Consultative Group of Experts shall forward recommendations on the matters referred to in paragraph 2 above for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation as appropriate.

Gender reference

Addressing the updated guidelines for the fifth review of the financial mechanism, this decision includes a criteria “the extent to which the financial mechanism is contributing to gender-sensitive approaches”, among the review criteria. The decision also recalls decision 2/CP.17, which advises that the composition of the Standing Committee take into account the need to achieve gender balance.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions 3/CP.4, 2/CP.12, 6/CP.13, 2/CP.16 and 2/CP.17,

Taking into account decision 8/CP.18,

1. Welcomes the draft updated guidelines provided by the Standing Committee on Finance as contained in its report to the Conference of the Parties;

2. Decides to adopt the updated guidelines annexed to this decision;

3. Requests the Standing Committee on Finance to continue to provide expert input to the fifth review of the financial mechanism, with a view to the review being finalized by the Conference of the Parties at its twentieth session (December 2014).

 

Annex

Updated guidelines for the fifth review of the financial mechanism

A. Objectives

1. In accordance with Article 11, paragraph 4, of the Convention, the objectives of the fifth review of the financial mechanism will be as follows:

(a) To review the financial mechanism and take appropriate measures regarding:

  • (i) Its conformity with the provisions of Article 11 of the Convention and the guidance provided by the Conference of the Parties (COP);
  • (ii) The effectiveness of the activities it funds in implementing the Convention;
  • (iii) Its effectiveness in providing financial resources on a grant or concessional basis, including for the transfer of technology, for the implementation of the Convention’s objective on the basis of the guidance provided by the COP;
  • (iv) Its effectiveness in providing resources to developing country Parties under Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Convention;
  • (v) The effectiveness of access modalities for developing countries;

(b) To examine how to improve consistency and complementarity of the financial mechanism with other sources of investment and financial flows, including:

  • (i) Examining relevant sources, channels and means of financing, as indicated in Article 11, paragraph 5, of the Convention, that would assist developing country Parties to contribute to the achievement of the objective of the Convention, in particular innovative means of financing, such as for the development of endogenous technologies in developing countries;
  • (ii) Examining the role of the financial mechanism in scaling up the level of resources;
  • (iii) Assessing enabling environments for catalysing investment in, and the transfer of, environmentally sound technologies that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and for enhancing resilience to climate change.

B. Sources of information

2. The review shall draw upon, inter alia, the following sources of information:

(a) Information provided by Parties on their experiences regarding the financial mechanism support provided and received in accordance with COP decisions;

(b) Annual reviews by the COP on the conformity of the activities of the financial mechanism with the guidance provided by the COP;

(c) The annual report of the Standing Committee on Finance to the COP on its activities and other relevant information documents regarding the Standing Committee on Finance;

(d) The annual report of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to the COP on its activities as an operating entity of the financial mechanism, including the information on the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund, and other relevant GEF policy and information documents;

(e) The reports from the GEF Independent Evaluation Office;

(f) The annual report of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to the COP on its activities as an operating entity of the financial mechanism and other relevant GCF policy and information documents;

(g) The report of the Adaptation Fund Board to the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the outcomes of the initial review of the Adaptation Fund;

(h) The outcomes and reports from the United Nations processes, relevant bilateral and multilateral funding institutions and other intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations dealing with climate change financing;

(i) Relevant reports on private-sector financing and investment for climate change activities;

(j) Technical papers and reports prepared by the secretariat at the request of the COP, which are relevant to the financial needs of developing country Parties under the Convention;

(k) Information contained in the national communications of Parties to the Convention, technology needs assessments and national adaptation programmes of action;

(l) Information on fast-start finance provided by developed country Parties and other information on fast-start finance;

(m) The reports on the work programme on long-term finance;

(n) The report on the workshops of the work programme under decisions 1/CP.16 and 2/CP.17 on policy approaches and positive incentives;

(o) The reports of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group and the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention.

C. Criteria

3. The effectiveness of the financial mechanism will be assessed taking into account the following:

(a) The transparency of decision-making processes of the operating entities of the financial mechanism;

(b) The level of stakeholder involvement;

(c) The extent to which the financial mechanism is contributing to gender-sensitive approaches;

(d) The adequacy, predictability, accessibility and timely disbursement of funds for activities in developing country Parties;

(e) The responsiveness and efficiency of the GEF project cycle and expedited procedures, including its operational strategy, as they relate to climate change;

(f) The amount of resources provided to developing country Parties, including financing for technical assistance and investment projects, and the mechanisms for country allocation, as well as the results and impacts achieved by the resources provided;

(g) The amount of finance leveraged and modalities of co-financing when applicable;

(h) The extent to which the resources provided are contributing to achieving the objectives of the Convention;

(i) The sustainability of funded programmes, projects and operations in developing country Parties;

(j) The extent to which the financial mechanism is contributing to country ownership of programmes and projects.

Gender reference

Establishes the Warsaw international mechanism on loss and damage, to fulfill this role pursuant to decision 3/CP.18,which refers to gender and gender-disaggregated data. It further mandates the mechanism to undertake the collection, sharing, management and use of relevant data and information, including gender-disaggregated data.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling the relevant provisions of the Convention,

Also recalling decisions 1/CP.16, 7/CP.17 and 3/CP.18,

Acknowledging the contribution of adaptation and risk management strategies towards addressing loss and damage associated with climate change impacts,

Also acknowledging that loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change includes, and in some cases involves more than, that which can be reduced by adaptation,

Recalling its decision to establish, at its nineteenth session, institutional arrangements, such as an international mechanism, including functions and modalities, to address loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, 

1. Establishes the Warsaw international mechanism for loss and damage, under the Cancun Adaptation Framework, subject to review at the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties (November–December 2016) pursuant to paragraph 15 below, to address loss and damage associated with impacts of climate change, including extreme events and slow onset events, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change (hereinafter referred to as the Warsaw international mechanism), and in line with the provisions contained in paragraphs 2−15 below;

2. Also establishes an executive committee of the Warsaw international mechanism, which shall function under the guidance of, and be accountable to, the Conference of the Parties, to guide the implementation of functions referred to under paragraph 5 below;

3. Requests the executive committee to report annually to the Conference of the Parties through the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation and make recommendations, as appropriate;

4. Decides that, as an interim measure, the executive committee shall consist of two representatives from each of the following bodies under the Convention, ensuring that there is a balanced representation between developed and developing country Parties: the Adaptation Committee, the Least Developed Countries Expert Group, the Standing Committee on Finance, the Technology Executive Committee and the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention;

5. Also decides that the Warsaw international mechanism shall fulfil the role under the Convention of promoting the implementation of approaches to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, pursuant to decision 3/CP.18, in a comprehensive, integrated and coherent manner by undertaking, inter alia, the following functions:

(a) Enhancing knowledge and understanding of comprehensive risk management approaches to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including slow onset impacts, by facilitating and promoting:

  • (i) Action to address gaps in the understanding of and expertise in approaches to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including, inter alia, the areas outlined in decision 3/CP.18, paragraph 7(a);
  • (ii) Collection, sharing, management and use of relevant data and information, including gender-disaggregated data;
  • (iii) Provision of overviews of best practices, challenges, experiences and lessons learned in undertaking approaches to address loss and damage;

(b) Strengthening dialogue, coordination, coherence and synergies among relevant stakeholders by:

  • (i) Providing leadership and coordination and, as and where appropriate, oversight under the Convention, on the assessment and implementation of approaches to address loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change from extreme events and slow onset events associated with the adverse effects of climate change;
  • (ii) Fostering dialogue, coordination, coherence and synergies among all relevant stakeholders, institutions, bodies, processes and initiatives outside the Convention, with a view to promoting cooperation and collaboration across relevant work and activities at all levels;

(c) Enhancing action and support, including finance, technology and capacitybuilding, to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, so as to enable countries to undertake actions pursuant to decision 3/CP.18, paragraph 6, including by:

  • (i) Providing technical support and guidance on approaches to address loss and damage associated with climate change impacts, including extreme events and slow onset events;
  • (ii) Providing information and recommendations for consideration by the Conference of the Parties when providing guidance relevant to reducing the risks of loss and damage and, where necessary, addressing loss and damage, including to the operating entities of the financial mechanism of the Convention, as appropriate;
  • (iii) Facilitating the mobilization and securing of expertise, and enhancement of support, including finance, technology and capacity-building, to strengthen existing approaches and, where necessary, facilitate the development and implementation of additional approaches to address loss and damage associated with climate change impacts, including extreme weather events and slow onset events;

6. Further decides that the Warsaw international mechanism should complement, draw upon the work of and involve, as appropriate, existing bodies and expert groups under the Convention, as well as on that of relevant organizations and expert bodies outside the Convention, at all levels;

7. Decides that, in exercising the functions outlined in paragraph 5 above, the Warsaw international mechanism will, inter alia:

(a) Facilitate support of actions to address loss and damage;

(b) Improve coordination of the relevant work of existing bodies under the Convention;

(c) Convene meetings of relevant experts and stakeholders;

(d) Promote the development of, and compile, analyse, synthesize and review information;

(e) Provide technical guidance and support;

(f) Make recommendations, as appropriate, on how to enhance engagement, actions and coherence under and outside the Convention, including on how to mobilize resources and expertise at different levels;

8. Invites the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the President of the Conference of the Parties, to convene the initial meeting of the executive committee by March 2014, the meetings of which will be open to observers, and invite representatives of relevant international and regional organizations having the necessary skills in approaches to addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and slow onset events;

9. Requests the executive committee to develop its initial two-year workplan for the implementation of the functions outlined in paragraph 5 above, including the scheduling of meetings, taking into account the issues outlined in decision 3/CP.18, paragraphs 6 and 7, for consideration at the forty-first sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (December 2014);

10. Also requests the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation to consider the composition of, and procedures for, the executive committee, and to make recommendations thereon for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its twentieth session (December 2014), with a view to finalizing the organization and governance of the executive committee;

11. Invites relevant international and regional organizations, institutions and processes to integrate, where appropriate, measures to address the impacts of climate change and to explore and strengthen synergies in the context of addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse impacts of climate change, especially in particularly vulnerable developing countries;

12. Also invites Parties to work through the United Nations and other relevant institutions, specialized agencies and processes, as appropriate, to promote coherence at all levels in approaches relevant to addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme events and slow onset events;

13. Further invites Parties to strengthen and, where appropriate, develop institutions and networks at the regional and national levels, especially in particularly vulnerable developing countries, to enhance the implementation of relevant approaches to addressing loss and damage in a manner that is country-driven, encourages cooperation and coordination between relevant stakeholders and improves the flow of information;

14. Requests developed country Parties to provide developing country Parties with finance, technology and capacity-building, in accordance with decision 1/CP.16 and other relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties;

15. Decides to review the Warsaw international mechanism, including its structure, mandate and effectiveness, at the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties, with a view to adopting an appropriate decision on the outcome of this review;

16. Takes note of the budgetary implications of the activities to be undertaken by the secretariat pursuant to the provisions contained in this decision;

17. Requests that the actions of the secretariat called for in this decision be undertaken subject to the availability of financial resources.

Gender reference

Recalled decision 3/CP.17 which has references to a gender-sensitive approach and gender balance in the GCF guiding principles and governance. Additionally requested Board members to ensure in its consideration and finalization of the GCF’s access modalities to take into account institutions covered by the Boards agreement on best practice environmental and social standards.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling Articles 4 and 11 of the Convention,

Taking into account decision 11/CP.1,

Recalling decisions 1/CP.16, 3/CP.17, 1/CP.18, 6/CP.18 and 7/CP.18,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the second annual report of the Board of the Green Climate Fund to the Conference of the Parties as contained in document FCCC/CP/2013/6;

2. Welcomes the Board’s decisions to establish the independent secretariat and the selection of Ms. Héla Cheikhrouhou as the Executive Director of the independent secretariat of the Green Climate Fund;

3. Also welcomes the conclusion and entry into force of the Headquarters Agreement between the Green Climate Fund and the Government of the Republic of Korea;

4. Takes note of the termination of the interim arrangements for the operation of the interim secretariat and expresses its appreciation to the UNFCCC and Global Environment Facility secretariats for supporting the interim secretariat;

5. Welcomes the adoption of the third administrative budget of the Green Climate Fund, which will enable the establishment of the independent secretariat in Songdo, Incheon City, Republic of Korea;

6. Notes the progress made by the Board to ensure the operationalization of the Green Climate Fund, including the adoption of its 2014 workplan and the resource mobilization process;

A. Initial guidance to the Green Climate Fund

7. Confirms that the provisions contained in Article 11 of the Convention, and decisions 11/CP.1, 1/CP.16 and 3/CP.17, and the governing instrument for the Green Climate Fund, and decision 6/CP.18, together with decision 5/CP.19, constitute the initial guidance for the Green Climate Fund;

8. Decides to adopt the following initial guidance on policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria for the Green Climate Fund, as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention;

9. Requests the Green Climate Fund:

(a) To balance the allocation of resources between adaptation and mitigation, and ensure an appropriate allocation of resources for other activities;

(b) To pursue a country-driven approach;

(c) In allocating resources for adaptation, the Green Climate Fund will take into account the urgent and immediate needs of developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change; 

10. Confirms that all developing country Parties to the Convention are eligible to receive resources from the Green Climate Fund;

B. Additional guidance to the Green Climate Fund

11. Stresses the need to achieve full operationalization of the Green Climate Fund, and in this regard urges the Board to an expeditious implementation of its 2014 workplan, including elements of decision 6/CP.18;

12. Urges the Board to finalize as soon as possible the essential requirements to receive, manage, programme and disburse financial resources in line with the approved workplan of the Board so that the Green Climate Fund can commence its initial resource mobilization process as soon as possible and transition subsequently to a formal replenishment process;

13. Calls for ambitious and timely contributions by developed countries to enable an effective operationalization, including for readiness and preparatory support of the Green Climate Fund that reflects the needs and challenges of developing countries in addressing climate change in the context of preparing, by the twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties (December 2014), the initial resource mobilization process described in paragraph 12 above;

14. Underlines that initial resource mobilization should reach a very significant scale that reflects the needs and challenges of developing countries in addressing climate change;

15. Invites financial inputs from a variety of other sources, public and private, including alternative sources, for the Board’s initial resource mobilization process;

16. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund:

(a) To consider important lessons learned on country-driven processes from other existing funds;

(b) To ensure that in its consideration and finalization of the Green Climate Fund’s access modalities, the Board takes into account the institutions already accredited by relevant institutions covered by the Board’s agreement on the best practice fiduciary standards and principles and environmental and social standards;

(c) To report to the Conference of Parties at its twentieth session on progress made in the implementation of this decision, as well as the implementation of decision 6/CP.18;

17. Invites Parties to submit to the secretariat annually, and no later than 10 weeks prior to the subsequent session of the Conference of the Parties, their views and recommendations in writing on the elements to be taken into account in developing guidance to the operating entities of the financial mechanism of the Convention. 

Theme
Tags 
Event 
COP20
Year 
2014

Gender reference

  • Invites Parties to enhance implementation of decisions 36/CP.7, 1/CP.16, 23/CP.18 by advancing gender balance, promoting gender sensitivity in developing and implementing climate policy, and achieving gender-responsive climate policy in all relevant activities under the Convention.
  • Decides additional efforts need to be made by Parties to improve the participation of women in delegations and bodies established under Convention, as stipulated in 36/CP.7 and 23/CP.18
  • Establishes a two-year work programme for promoting gender balance and achieving gender-responsive climate policy, developed for the purpose of guiding the effective participation of women in UNFCCC bodies
  • Requests information from Secretariat regarding implementation of decisions that include a gender approach
  • Encourages Parties to support training and awareness raising for delegates (esp. for Parties particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change) on issues related to gender balance and climate change, and building skills and capacity of their female delegates to effectively participate in UNFCCC meetings via training on negotiation skills, drafting of legal language, strategic communication, etc.
  • Requests secretariat to support organisation of training and capacity building efforts in conjunction with sessions of subsidiary bodies among other sessions
  • Invites Parties to increase representation of women and active participation of women in the bodies established under the Convention
  • Decides to clarify the meaning of ‘gender-responsive climate policy’ from an implementation perspective and improve development and effective implementation of gender-responsive climate policy.
  • Requests organisation of in-session workshop on gender responsive climate policy (focus: mitigation, technology) during 42nd session of SBI, prepare a report on the workshop for consideration at 43rd session.
  • Requests Secretariat to organize in-session workshop on gender-responsive climate policy (focus: adaptation, capacity-building) and training for delegates during 44th session of SBI, prepare a report for consideration at 45th session
  • Requests Secretariat to prepare a technical paper on guidelines or other tools on integrating gender considerations into climate change related activities under Convention for consideration by SBI at 44th session.
  • Invites Parties and observer orgs to provide info on progress made in meeting the goals of achieving gender balance and gender-responsive climate policy  
  • Requests Exec Secretary to appoint a senior gender focal point
  • Invites Parties and relevant organisations to provide the means for implementing gender-related activities within the two year work programme.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions 36/CP.7, 1/CP.16 and 23/CP.18 on improving the participation of women in Convention negotiations and in the representation of Parties in bodies established under the Convention,

Underscoring the importance of coherence between gender-responsive climate policies and balanced participation of women and men in the Convention process, and the provisions of international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,

Acknowledging the progress made in advancing gender balance and gender equality within the context of climate change policies and in line with the individual country circumstances and gender-responsive climate policy through the decisions referred to above, and the need for gender mainstreaming through all relevant targets and goals in activities under the Convention as an important contribution to increase their effectiveness,

Noting that, notwithstanding the progress made by Parties in implementing the decisions referred to above, there is a need for women to be represented in all aspects of the Convention process, including through membership of their national delegations and the chairing and facilitation of formal and informal negotiating groups,

Also noting that gender-responsive climate policy still requires further strengthening in all activities related to adaptation and mitigation as well as decision-making on the implementation of climate policies,

1. Decides to enhance the implementation of decisions 36/CP.7, 1/CP.16 and 23/CP.18 by inviting Parties to advance gender balance, promote gender sensitivity in developing and implementing climate policy, and achieve gender-responsive climate policy in all relevant activities under the Convention;

2. Also decides that additional efforts need to be made by Parties to improve the participation of women in their delegations and in all of the bodies established under the Convention, as stipulated in decisions 36/CP.7 and 23/CP.18;

3. Further decides to establish a two-year work programme for promoting gender balance and achieving gender-responsive climate policy, developed for the purpose of guiding the effective participation of women in the bodies established under the Convention, the elements of which are contained in paragraphs 4 to 7 below;

4. Requests the secretariat to include in its next annual report, as referred to in decision 23/CP.18, paragraph 8, information regarding the implementation by the secretariat of those decisions that include a gender approach, in keeping with applicable gender-related policies under the Convention;

5. Decides to strengthen the existing work on gender balance in the thematic priority areas set out in paragraphs 6 to 12 below;

6. Encourages Parties to support (a) training and awareness-raising for female and male delegates on issues related to gender balance and climate change, and (b) building the skills and capacity of their female delegates to effectively participate in UNFCCC meetings via training on, inter alia, negotiation skills, drafting of legal language and strategic communication;

7. Also encourages interested Parties and relevant organizations to support these training and capacity-building efforts, particularly for delegates from Parties that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including the least developed countries, small island developing States and countries in Africa;

8. Requests the secretariat to support the organization of these training and capacity-building efforts, inter alia, in conjunction with sessions of the subsidiary bodies;

9. Invites Parties to increase the representation of women and active participation of women in the bodies established under the Convention;

10. Decides to clarify the meaning of the term “gender-responsive climate policy” from an implementation perspective, and improve the development and effective implementation of gender-responsive climate policy;

11. Requests the secretariat to organize an in-session workshop on gender-responsive climate policy with a focus on mitigation action and technology development and transfer during the forty-second session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (June 2015), and prepare a report on the workshop for consideration at its forty-third session (November–December 2015);

12. Also requests the secretariat to organize an in-session workshop on gender-responsive climate policy with a focus on adaptation and capacity-building, and training for delegates on gender issues during the forty-fourth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (May 2016) and prepare a report on the workshop for consideration at its forty-fifth session (November 2016). Future work could include in-session workshops on other themes;

13. Invites Parties and admitted observer organizations to submit to the secretariat, by 18 February 2015 and 3 February 2016, respectively, their views on the matters to be addressed at the in-session workshops referred to in paragraphs 11 and 12 above;

14. Requests the secretariat to prepare a technical paper on guidelines or other tools on integrating gender considerations into climate change related activities under the Convention for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its forty-fourth session;

15. Invites Parties and admitted observer organizations to provide information on progress made in meeting the goals of achieving gender balance and gender-responsive climate policy;

16. Agrees to review this information at its twenty-second session (November 2016) with a view to taking any necessary action needed to strengthen the progress of furthering these goals;

17. Requests the Executive Secretary to appoint a senior gender focal point, who is an expert in this subject matter, to develop and ensure the implementation of, within existing resources, an action plan for the two-year work programme on gender and climate change;

18. Invites Parties and relevant organizations to provide the means for implementing gender-related activities within the two-year work programme;

19. Takes note of the budgetary implications of the activities to be undertaken by the secretariat referred to in this decision;

20. Requests that the actions of the secretariat called for in this decision be undertaken subject to the availability of financial resources.

Decision 3/CP.20

National adaptation plans

Tags 
Event 
COP20
Year 
2014

Gender reference

3. Reiterates that the national adaptation plan process is a country-driven, gender-sensitive, participatory and fully transparent approach, taking into consideration vulnerable groups, communities and ecosystems, and should be based on and guided by the best available science and, as appropriate, traditional and indigenous knowledge, with a view to integrating adaptation into relevant social, economic and environmental policies and actions, where appropriate;

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions 1/CP.16, 5/CP.17, 12/CP.18 and 18/CP.19,

1. Decides that a revision of the initial guidelines for the formulation of national adaptation plans is not necessary at this time;

2. Recognizes that the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans is fundamental for building adaptive capacity and reducing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change;

3. Reiterates that the national adaptation plan process is a country-driven, gender-sensitive, participatory and fully transparent approach, taking into consideration vulnerable groups, communities and ecosystems, and should be based on and guided by the best available science and, as appropriate, traditional and indigenous knowledge, with a view to integrating adaptation into relevant social, economic and environmental policies and actions, where appropriate;

4. Recognizes the continuous, iterative and long-term nature of the national adaptation plan process, and that the national adaptation plans can serve as an important tool for ensuring a common understanding and for communicating progress made towards both reducing vulnerability and integrating climate change adaptation into national and development planning;

5. Acknowledges the importance of communicating, in a flexible manner, what the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans involves, as well as the outputs and outcomes of that process;

6. Decides that there is a need to enhance the reporting on the process to formulate and implement the national adaptation plans;

7. Notes that there is a need to strengthen the existing reporting related to the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans under the Convention;

8. Decides to explore options for enhancing reporting related to the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans as a part of the workshop referred to in document FCCC/SBI/2014/8, paragraph 106, and the review to monitor and evaluate progress made on the national adaptation plan process referred to in decision 5/CP.17, paragraph 37;

9. Invites least developed country Parties and other interested developing country Parties that are not least developed countries that may wish to do so to forward outputs, including national adaptation plan documents, and outcomes related to the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans, to the NAP Central;

10. Decides to further consider how to enhance reporting related to the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans at the forty-second session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (June 2015);

11. Requests the Adaptation Committee and the Least Developed Countries Expert Group, in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund, as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism, to consider how to best support developing country Parties in accessing funding from the Green Climate Fund for the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans, and to report thereon to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its forty-second session.

Gender reference

2. Also welcomes the progress made by the Adaptation Committee in the implementation of its three-year workplan, including:

(c) Conducting a joint meeting with the Nairobi work programme on available tools for the use of indigenous and traditional knowledge and practices for adaptation, needs of local and indigenous communities, and the application of gender-sensitive approaches and tools for adaptation;

[...]

5. Reiterates its encouragement made in decision 2/CP.17, paragraph 103, for Parties to nominate experts to the Adaptation Committee with a diversity of experience and knowledge relevant to adaptation to climate change, while also taking into account the need to achieve gender balance in accordance with decision 36/CP.7;

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Welcomes the report of the Adaptation Committee;

2. Also welcomes the progress made by the Adaptation Committee in the implementation of its three-year workplan, including:

(a) Promoting coherence in adaptation under the Convention, in particular in collaboration with the Least Developed Countries Expert Group, the Technology Executive Committee and the Standing Committee on Finance and in the context of the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change;

(b) Engaging relevant institutions, organizations, frameworks, networks and centres;

(c) Conducting a joint meeting with the Nairobi work programme on available tools for the use of indigenous and traditional knowledge and practices for adaptation, needs of local and indigenous communities, and the application of gender-sensitive approaches and tools for adaptation; 

(d) Conducting a special in-session event on promoting synergy and strengthening engagement with national, regional and international organizations, centres and networks;

(e) Conducting an in-session meeting of the Adaptation Committee organized in collaboration with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II;

(f) Publishing its 2014 thematic report on institutional arrangements for national adaptation planning and implementation; 

3. Notes with appreciation the continued work of the Adaptation Committee on providing technical support and guidance to the Parties on adaptation action, including through the work carried out by the task force on national adaptation plans of the Committee;

4. Requests Parties, operating entities of the Financial Mechanism and other relevant entities working on adaptation to consider the recommendations contained in chapter V of the report of the Adaptation Committee, as included in the annex;

5. Reiterates its encouragement made in decision 2/CP.17, paragraph 103, for Parties to nominate experts to the Adaptation Committee with a diversity of experience and knowledge relevant to adaptation to climate change, while also taking into account the need to achieve gender balance in accordance with decision 36/CP.7;

6. Welcomes the initiation of consideration by the Adaptation Committee of its next workplan, starting in 2016.

 

Annex

Recommendations for the Conference of the Parties

1. The Adaptation Committee (AC) agreed to include the following recommendations in its report for consideration by the Conference of the Parties (COP) at its twentieth session.

2. The AC recommends that the COP invite Parties, operating entities of the Financial Mechanism and relevant entities working on adaptation to take into account the following recommendations, which are based on the outcomes of the meeting of the task force on national adaptation plans (NAPs) referred to in paragraphs 38 and 39 of the report of the AC referred to in paragraph 1 above:

(a) Recognizing the importance of raising awareness and buy-in for the NAP process by all stakeholders, in order to:

  • (i) Generate interest in, demand for and leadership of the NAP process at the national level;
  • (ii) Make available support for the NAP process better known;

(b) Improving coordination, collaboration and coherence among:

  • (i) Bilateral and multilateral agencies and institutions, including the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism;
  • (ii) Various national ministries;
  • (iii) Parties and regions, with a view to:
    • a. Enhancing the accessibility of NAP support;
    • b. Further understanding effective pathways to achieving the objectives of the NAP process, on the basis of experience;
    • c. Fostering coherence in the provision of support, including by better matching needs with support, involving more financial institutions in the NAP process and helping countries to prepare for accessing funding, including from the Green Climate Fund (GCF);

(c) Enhancing learning as stakeholders increasingly engage in the NAP process, particularly around aspects such as the role of institutional arrangements and monitoring and evaluation.

3. In supporting the monitoring and evaluation of adaptation, the AC recommends that the COP invite Parties, operating entities of the Financial Mechanism and relevant entities working on adaptation to take into account the following recommendations:

(a) Monitoring and evaluation frameworks need to be appropriate, relevant to needs and tailored to country circumstances. A common set of global indicators is not useful, owing to the context-specific nature of adaptation;

(b) National-level assessments can play a different role in measuring adaptive capacity from subnational or project-based assessments. National-level assessments could, for example, measure the degree of coordination and integration of adaptation in national priorities;

(c) A positive learning environment, which encourages formal and informal learning, including peer-to-peer learning, and which encourages learning from negative as well as positive experiences, is important;

(d) Planning and allocation of resources, both technical and financial, are key for effective monitoring and evaluation systems.

4. In the context of the monitoring and evaluation of adaptation, the AC also recommends that the COP invite the Board of the GCF, with respect to its Results Management Framework, to consider:

(a) Keeping indicators simple;

(b) Designing indicators that are qualitative as well as quantitative;

(c) Designing indicators in such a way as to capture the progress that countries are able to make in integrating adaptation into their development and sectoral planning, policies and actions;

(d) Giving countries sufficient flexibility to define their indicators in line with their national and local planning, strategies and priorities.

5. Furthermore, the AC agreed to forward the following recommendations resulting from the workshop on best practices and needs of local and indigenous communities referred to in paragraph 45 of its report referred to in paragraph 1 above for consideration by the COP. The COP may wish to:

(a) Invite Parties to underline the importance of indigenous and traditional knowledge and practices, in a manner commensurate with modern science, for the effective planning and implementation of adaptation, including by encouraging the integration of indigenous, traditional and local knowledge into the NAP process;

(b) Encourage the Adaptation Fund, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the GCF to enhance their consideration of local, indigenous and traditional knowledge and practices and their integration into adaptation planning and practices, as well as procedures for monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

6. Regarding the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism, the AC recommends the following actions for consideration by the COP:

(a) Inviting the Board of the GCF to consider the significant work undertaken under the Cancun Adaptation Framework and on the NAP process as it continues to provide the governance of the Fund;

(b) Inviting the Board of the GCF to engage with institutions that have started initiatives on countries’ readiness to access GCF funding and exploring how more countries can benefit from such initiatives;

(c) Inviting the GEF, in supporting the NAP process and when implementing its new programming strategy on adaptation for the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund for the period 2014–2018, to consider the findings arising from the meeting of the NAP task force referred to in paragraph 84 and the initial conclusions of the AC on the monitoring and evaluation of adaptation referred to in paragraph 85 of the report of the AC referred to in paragraph 1 above.

Gender reference

Urges the Green Climate Fund to ensure that staff selection is open, transparent and based on merit without discrimination, taking into account geographical and gender balance, in accordance with the administrative policies of the Green Climate Fund;

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling Articles 4 and 11 of the Convention,

Taking into account decision 11/CP.1,

Recalling decisions 1/CP.16, 3/CP.17, 1/CP.18, 6/CP.18, 7/CP.18, 4/CP.19 and 5/CP.19,

1. Welcomes the report of the Green Climate Fund to the Conference of the Parties,1 in particular the detailed and comprehensive list of responses of the Green Climate Fund Board to guidance received from the Conference of the Parties; 

2. Notes with appreciation the progress made by the Green Climate Fund, and the information contained thereon in the report of the Green Climate Fund, in particular the decision on the confirmation of the completion of the essential requirements and the commencement of the initial resource mobilization process;

3. Welcomes with appreciation the successful and timely initial resource mobilization process of the Green Climate Fund that led to the mobilization of USD 10.2 billion to date by contributing Parties,3 enabling the Green Climate Fund to start its activities in supporting developing country Parties of the Convention, and making it the largest dedicated climate fund;

4. Requests the Green Climate Fund to ensure that the ongoing resource mobilization efforts are commensurate with the ambitions of the Fund, and calls for contributions by other developed country Parties,4 as well as invites financial inputs from a variety of other sources, public and private, including alternative sources,5 throughout the initial resource mobilization process;

5. Urges the Green Climate Fund, the Interim Trustee, and contributors to confirm the pledges in the form of fully executed contribution agreements/arrangements, taking note that the commitment authority of the Green Climate Fund will become effective when 50 per cent of the contributions pledged by the November 2014 pledging session are reflected in fully executed contribution agreements/arrangements received by the secretariat no later than 30 April 2015 as provided for in Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/13, annex XIX, paragraph 1(c);

6. Notes Green Climate Fund Board decisions, including the decisions made at its 8th meeting, regarding the formal replenishment process for the Fund; 

7. Welcomes Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/07 to start taking decisions on the approval of projects and programmes no later than its 3rd meeting in 2015;

8. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to accelerate the operationalization of the adaptation and mitigation windows, and to ensure adequate resources for capacitybuilding and technology development and transfer, consistent with paragraph 38 of the Governing Instrument; 

9. Also requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to accelerate the operationalization of the private sector facility by aiming to ensure that private sector entities and public entities with relevant experience in working with the private sector are accredited in 2015, expediting action to engage local private sector actors in developing country Parties, including small- and medium-sized enterprises in the least developed countries, small island developing States and African States, emphasizing a country-driven approach, expediting action to mobilize resources at scale, and developing a strategic approach to engaging with the private sector;

10. Further requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund, in the implementation of its 2015 workplan, to complete its work related to policies and procedures to accept financial inputs from non-public and alternative sources, the investment and risk management frameworks of the Green Climate Fund, the impact analysis on its initial results areas, including options for determining Board level investment portfolios across the structure of the Fund,7 and the approval process of the Fund, including methodologies for selecting programmes and projects that best achieve the objectives of the Fund; 

11. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to consider ways by which to further increase the transparency of its proceedings;

12. Also requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to accelerate the implementation of its work programme on readiness and preparatory support, ensuring that adequate resources are provided for its execution, including from the initial resource mobilization process, providing urgent support to developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, small island developing States and African States, led by their national designated authorities or focal points to build institutional capacities in accordance with Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/11;

13. Encourages the timely implementation of the accreditation framework and requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund, in its implementation, to pay adequate attention to the priorities and needs of developing country Parties, including the least developed countries, small island developing States and African States, emphasizing the need to provide readiness support to those national and regional entities eligible for fast tracking that request it;

14. Invites developing country Parties to expedite the nomination of their national designated authorities and focal points as soon as possible, as well as the selection of their national and subnational implementing entities, to facilitate their engagement with the Green Climate Fund;

15. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund, when deciding its policies and programme priorities, to consider the information and lessons learned through engagement with other relevant bodies under the Convention, and other relevant international institutions; 

16. Also requests the Green Climate Fund to enhance its collaboration with existing funds under the Convention and other climate relevant funds in order to enhance the complementarity and coherence of policies and programming at the national level;

17. Further requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to further enhance the participation of all stakeholders in accordance with paragraph 71 of the Governing Instrument and other relevant Board decisions;

18. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund:

(a) To develop a monitoring and accountability framework in accordance with Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/02;

(b) To consider decisions relevant to REDD-plus,9 including decisions 1/CP.16, 2/CP.17, 12/CP.17 and decisions 9/CP.19, 10/CP.19, 11/CP.19, 12/CP.19, 13/CP.19, 14/CP.19 and 15/CP.19;

19. Urges the Green Climate Fund to ensure that staff selection is open, transparent and based on merit without discrimination, taking into account geographical and gender balance, in accordance with the administrative policies of the Green Climate Fund; 

20. Takes note of Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/24 on the institutional linkage between the United Nations and the Green Climate Fund, and requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to continue further deliberations on privileges and immunities, and to report on this matter to the Conference of the Parties at its twenty-first session (November–December 2015);

21. Urges developing country Parties to enter into bilateral agreements with the Green Climate Fund based on the template to be approved by the Board of the Green Climate Fund, in order to provide privileges and immunities for the Fund, in accordance with Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/24, paragraph (b);

22. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to report biennially to the Conference of the Parties on the status of existing privileges and immunities with regard to its operational activities, starting at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties;

23. Also requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to make available its annual report in a timely manner and no later than 12 weeks prior to a session of the Conference of the Parties in accordance with decision 6/CP.18, paragraph 15, for due consideration by Parties;

24. Further requests the Green Climate Fund to include in its annual report to the Conference of the Parties the recommendations of its independent redress mechanism, if any, and any actions taken by the Board in response to those recommendations;11

25. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to report to the Conference of the Parties at its twenty-first session on progress made in the implementation of this decision, as well as the elements and provisions of the guidance contained in decisions 3/CP.17, 6/CP.18, 4/CP.19 and 5/CP.19;

26. Invites Parties to submit to the secretariat annually, and no later than 10 weeks prior to the subsequent session of the Conference of the Parties, their views and recommendations in writing on the elements to be taken into account in developing guidance to the Green Climate Fund; 

27. Requests the secretariat to compile the submissions referred to in paragraph 26 above into a miscellaneous document for consideration by Parties in developing guidance through the Standing Committee on Finance to the Green Climate Fund. 

Gender reference

Reaffirming that public participation, access to information and knowledge are crucial for developing and implementing effective policies to combat climate change and adapt to its impacts, as well as to engage actively, as appropriate, all stakeholders, including children, youth, the elderly, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous and local communities and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of these policies, 

Elaborated language

The Ministers and Heads of Delegation attending the twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties and the tenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, held in Lima, Peru, from 1 to 12 December 2014,

Reaffirming the importance of Article 6 of the Convention and Article 10(e) of the Kyoto Protocol, Recalling decision 15/CP.18,

Concerned about the impacts of climate change on both current and future generations,

Recognizing that education, including formal, non-formal and informal education, and public awareness programmes should promote the attitudes and behaviour needed to prepare our societies to adapt to the impacts of climate change,

Reaffirming that public participation, access to information and knowledge are crucial for developing and implementing effective policies to combat climate change and adapt to its impacts, as well as to engage actively, as appropriate, all stakeholders, including children, youth, the elderly, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous and local communities and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of these policies,

Underlining that effective climate change action requires public understanding of the issues at stake and the potential benefits of climate action, and that there is a need for public understanding that a transformation is necessary now to avoid increasingly serious consequences in the future,

Acknowledging the progress made by Parties, international organizations, civil society and other stakeholders in planning, coordinating and implementing activities related to education, training, public awareness, public participation and access to information,

Recalling the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits related to education,

Considering, in this context, the importance of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 10 to 12 November 2014, which called for urgent action to further strengthen and scale up education for sustainable development,

1. Stress that education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, knowledge and international cooperation play a fundamental role in meeting the ultimate objective of the Convention and in promoting climate-resilient sustainable development;

2. Reaffirm our commitment to promote and facilitate, at the national and, as appropriate, at subregional and regional levels, and in accordance with national laws and regulations, and within the respective capacities, the development and implementation of educational and public awareness programmes on climate change and its effects, of public access to information on climate change and its effects and of public participation in addressing climate change;

3. Encourage governments to develop education strategies that incorporate the issue of climate change in curricula and to include awareness-raising on climate change in the design and implementation of national development and climate change strategies and policies in line with their national priorities and competencies;

4. Urge all Parties to give increased attention, as appropriate, to education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information on climate change;

5. Encourage all Parties to participate in, and to benefit from, the work of intergovernmental panels and expert groups established under the United Nations on matters related to climate change education, natural science and public awareness;

6. Express our resolve to cooperate and engage through multilateral, bilateral and regional complementary initiatives that aim to raise awareness and enhance education on climate change and its impacts, opportunities and co-benefits;

7. Reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the Doha work programme on Article 6 of the Convention.

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