United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)

Q1. How have the COVID-19 pandemic and the current food, energy and financing crises changed the priorities of your organization? 

The COVID-19 pandemic and the current food, energy and finance crises have not changed the overriding priority of the UNFCCC secretariat which is to facilitate action to address climate change in the framework of the Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the food, energy and finance crises have impacted the work of the organization as well as the implementation of climate action by Parties. For example, in conducting various meetings, including meetings of constituted bodies under the UNFCCC, virtual and hybrid formats have been used in addition to the traditional in-person format. Regarding the impact of the food, energy and finance crises on climate action, the decisions taken at the recent COP 27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt)

• Acknowledged that the impacts of climate change exacerbate the global energy and food crises, and vice versa, particularly in developing countries,
• Stressed that the increasingly complex and challenging global geopolitical situation and its impact on the energy, food and economic situations, as well as the additional challenges associated with the socioeconomic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, should not be used as a pretext for backtracking, backsliding or de-prioritizing climate action.

The COP 27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), organized by the UNFCCC secretariat in close cooperation with the Government of Egypt, adopted a package of decisions, including the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (available at https://unfccc.int/documents/624441 and https://unfccc.int/documents/624444), which strengthen the global response to climate change by both governments and non-Party stakeholders. This confirmed the resolve of Parties to further pursue ambitious climate action with the urgency required by science, despite the challenging geopolitical situation (information about the outcomes of COP 27 is available on the UNFCCC website at https://unfccc.int/cop27).

Q2. How has your organization supported Member States to accelerate their recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda? How has your organization cooperated with other UN system organizations in these efforts to achieve coherence and synergies? Please highlight up to three high-impact initiatives, especially those that address interlinkages among the SDGs and involves interagency collaboration. Concrete initiatives might be selected to be spotlighted during relevant intergovernmental meetings.

The UNFCCC secretariat engages actively in collaborative activities, initiatives and programmes with United Nations entities, convention secretariats and international organizations that enhance and contribute to the work under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. A summary of relevant activities is provided in UNFCCC document (FCCC/SBSTA/2022/INF.1 ) where secretariat’s cooperative activities across the following topical areas are presented: technology, climate finance, capacity-building, action for climate empowerment, adaptation, loss and damage relating to climate change, mitigation, transparency, response measures, climate science, research and systematic observation, gender, local communities and indigenous peoples, and some others.

With regard to linkages to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 2022 update of the UNFCCC’s synthesis report of nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement provides also an update on the linkages between climate action in both mitigation and adaptation with relevant SDBs, see the two initiatives below.

Initiative	Review of adaptation actions envisaged in Parties’ NDCs and their linkages with SDGs
Partners	-
Relevant SDGs	All 17 SDGs
Member States benefiting from the initiative	All 197 Parties to the Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC)
Description	In their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement, many Parties noted the linkages between their adaptation actions and relevant sustainable development frameworks, identifying the essential role of adaptation in the achievement of SDGs, as well as the role of sustainable development in successful adaptation; and emphasizing the importance and benefits of integrating implementation of climate and SDG-related efforts. Further, some Parties specified how adaptation in specific priority areas contributes to achieving individual SDGs. The figure below provides an overview of the specific synergies identified between adaptation efforts and efforts towards SDGs. More information is available in the 2022 update of the UNFCCC’s synthesis report of nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement.
Website	https://unfccc.int/ndc-information/nationally-determined-contributions-…
Initiative	Review of mitigation actions envisaged in Parties’ NDCs and their linkages with SDGs
Partners	-
Relevant SDGs	All 17 SDGs
Member States benefiting from the initiative	All 197 Parties to the Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC)
Description	In their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement, many Parties noted the linkages between their mitigation measures and efforts towards specific SDGs, highlighting the multiple co-benefits of their measures for sustainable development and the cost-effectiveness of their measures in relation to sustainable development under their fiscal constraints, including those due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SomeParties communicated one or several specific SDGs in relation to which there are synergies with their priority areas or mitigation measures (see the figure below), with energy supply measures contributing to achieving SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and LULUCF measures contributing to achieving SDG 15 (life on land) most frequently indicated; and a few Parties considered contribution to achieving SDGs as a criterion for identifying such measures to be included in their NDCs.
Website	https://unfccc.int/ndc-information/nationally-determined-contributions-…

 

Q3. Has your organization published or is it planning to publish any analytical work or guidance note or toolkits to guide and support recovery efforts from COVID-19 while advancing full implementation of SDGs at national, regional and global levels? 

Not applicable: the UNFCCC secretariat has not been mandated by Parties to do such analytical work or prepare relevant guidance note or toolkits. At the same time, the impact of the pandemic is reflected in relevant UNFCCC documents as available, for example in the latest NDC Synthesis Report (FCCC/PA/CMA/2022/4).

 

Q4. How has your organization engaged with stakeholder groups to support SDG implementation and COVID-19 recovery at national, regional and global levels? Please provide main highlights, including any lessons learned. For example, what has worked particularly well as a model for effective stakeholder engagement? If your organization has established multi-stakeholder partnership(s) in this regard, please describe them (name, partners involved, relevant SDGs, Member States benefiting from the partnership) and provide links to relevant websites for more information.

The UNFCCC engagement with several groups of stakeholder presented in the 2021 response to this questionnaire remains in place and has been strengthened in 2022. These engagements are as follows:

1) UNFCCC’s regional collaboration centers: The UNFCCC secretariat and its partner organizations operate six regional collaboration centers (RCCs) around the world: RCC Bangkok – Asia and the Pacific, RCC for Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, RCC Kampala – Eastern and Southern Africa, RCC Lomé – Western and Francophone Africa, RCC St. George's – Caribbean, RCC Panama – Latin America. The RCCs support national climate action through capacity-building, technical assistance and strategic networking – sourcing know-how and resources to drive clean development. Since the adoption of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in December 2015, the RCCs have had the broader task of supporting implementation of countries' Nationally Determined Contributions under the agreement. The RCCs are also actively involved in the organization and conduct of regional climate weeks. The Regional Climate Weeks provide a platform for representatives of national and subnational governments, cities, the private sector, financial institutions and civil society to jointly discuss opportunities to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying opportunities to deploy ambitious measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change.

2) Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action: Under the leadership of the High-Level Climate Champions, the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action supports implementation of the Paris Agreement by enabling collaboration between governments and the cities, regions, businesses and investors that must act on climate change. Its mission is to strengthen collaboration between governments and key stakeholders to immediately lower emissions and increase resilience against climate impacts. These actions are guided by the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and undertaken in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The focus is on environmental, economic and social system transformation, promoting higher ambition of all stakeholders to collectively strive for the 1.5 °C temperature goal and a climate-neutral and resilient world.

3) The Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change (NWP): The Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change (NWP) was established at COP 11 (December 2005, in Nairobi) to facilitate and catalyze the development and dissemination of information and knowledge that would inform and support adaptation policies and practices, with a focus on developing countries. Since then, the NWP has engaged countries and a growing network of partner organizations, experts and other relevant organizations from all fields and world regions in sharing the latest information and knowledge, to bridge knowledge gaps and scale-up action in response to the adaptation knowledge needs identified by the Parties to the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.

4) Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change: The vision of the Santiago Network is to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches for averting, minimize and addressing loss and damage at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change (decision 2/CMA.2, para 43). The Santiago Network aims to connect vulnerable developing countries with providers of technical assistance, knowledge, resources they need to address climate risks comprehensively in the context of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage. At COP26 in Glasgow (2021), decisions 17/CP.26 and 19/CMA.3 clarified the functions of the network and agreed on further development of its institutional arrangements. Most recently, at COP 27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, a specific decision was taken to operationalize the Santiago Network, including its organizational structure and the governance mechanism.

5) Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform: The Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) is an open and inclusive space and brings together people and their knowledge systems to build a climate resilient world for all. The platform aims to strengthen the knowledge, technologies, practices, and efforts of local communities and indigenous peoples related to addressing and responding to climate change, to facilitate the exchange of experience and the sharing of best practices and lessons learned on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner and to enhance the engagement of local communities and indigenous peoples in the UNFCCC process. In accordance with the Paris Agreement and Decision 1/CP.21, climate change is a common concern of humankind. When taking action to address climate change, the respective obligations on, inter alia, the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities should be respected, promoted and considered. At COP26 in Glasgow (2021), decision 16/CP.26 provided an additional momentum to the work of the platform.

Several examples of the partnerships, established and maintained under the UNFCCC framework:

Partnership	UNFCCC’s regional collaboration centers
Partners	Banque Ouest Africaine de Developpement (BOAD), East African Development Bank (EADB), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Windward Islands Research & Education Foundation (WINDREF), World Green Economy Organization (WGEO)
Relevant SDGs	SDG 13 (climate action), 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), 17 (partnerships for the goal)
Website	https://unfccc.int/about-us/regional-collaboration-centres, https://unfccc.int/climate-action/regional-climate-weeks, https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/RCCsHighlights2020.pdf

 

Partnership	Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action
Partners	composition of partners varies much across the various parts of the Partnership
Relevant SDGs	SDG 13 (climate action), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 17 (partnerships for the goal)
Website	https://unfccc.int/climate-action/marrakech-partnership-for-global-clim…, https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Yearbook_GCA_2022.pdf, https://unfccc.int/climate-action/marrakech-partnership/reporting-and-t…

 

Partnership	The Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change (NWP)
Partners	more than 400 partners across the world
Relevant SDGs	SDG 13 (climate action), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 17 (partnerships for the goal)
Website	https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/nwpstaging/Pages/NWP-knowledge-resources…, https://unfccc.int/documents/470332 (latest annual progress report); https://unfccc.int/topics/adaptation-and-resilience/the-big-picture/how…

 

Partnership	Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change
Partners	- (not yet established)
Relevant SDGs	SDG 13 (climate action), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 17 (partnerships for the goal)
Website	https://unfccc.int/santiago-network/about

 

Partnership	Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform
Partners	-
Relevant SDGs	SDG 13 (climate action), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 17 (partnerships for the goal)
Website	https://unfccc.int/LCIPP

 

Q5. In the 2019 SDG Summit declaration (GA Resolution 74/4), Member States outlined ten priority areas for accelerated action in SDG implementation. Please highlight any major integrated and innovative policies or initiatives that your organization may have adopted in these ten priority areas:

5.1 leaving no one behind

The outcomes of the recent COP27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) were adopted by consensus of all Parties. Special attention was paid to most vulnerable groups, with specific decisions taken on matters relating to the least developed countries and on gender (decision on the intermediate review of the implementation of the gender action plan).

5.2 mobilizing adequate and well-directed financing

The recent COP27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) adopted a number of major decisions on finance relating to climate change, such as

• Decision on Long-term climate finance;
• Decision on Matters relating to the Standing Committee on Finance;
• Decisions on Guidance to the Green Climate Fund and Guidance to the Global Environment Facility;
• Decision on Matters relating to the Adaptation Fund;
• Decision on New collective quantitative goal on climate finance;
• Decision on Funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including a focus on addressing loss and damage

The last one, decision on funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including a focus on addressing loss and damage, stands out as a breakthrough for the known complex issues and a recognized major success of the whole conference.

5.3 enhancing national implementation

All decisions of the recent COP27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) aim at enhancing national implementation of action to address climate change. To note in particular are the two decisions entitled as the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan, the decision of the COP (under the Climate Change Convention) and the decision of the CMA (under the Paris Agreement).

5.4 strengthening institutions for more integrated solutions

On this matter, one can note, among the various relevant outcomes of COP 27, that the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (see decision of the COP and decision of the CMA):

• Noted the importance of transition to sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption and production for efforts to address climate change, and the importance of pursuing an approach to education that promotes a shift in lifestyles while fostering patterns of development and sustainability based on care, community and cooperation;
• Underlined the urgent need to address, in a comprehensive and synergetic manner, the interlinked global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss in the broader context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the vital importance of protecting, conserving, restoring and sustainably using nature and ecosystems for effective and sustainable climate action
• Affirmed that sustainable and just solutions to the climate crisis must be founded on meaningful and effective social dialogue and participation of all stakeholders and notes that the global transition to low emissions provides opportunities and challenges for sustainable economic development and poverty eradication;
• Emphasized that just and equitable transition encompasses pathways that include energy, socioeconomic, workforce and other dimensions, all of which must be based on nationally defined development priorities and include social protection so as to mitigate potential impacts associated with the transition, and highlights the important role of the instruments related to social solidarity and protection in mitigating the impacts of applied measures; and
• Decided to establish a work programme on just transition for discussion of pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement…

5.5 bolstering local action

On this matter, one can note, among the various relevant outcomes of COP 27, that the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (see decision of the COP and decision of the CMA):

• Acknowledged the engagement of non-Party stakeholders in climate action, which complements and broadens it, while recognizing the pivotal role of governments in action on climate change within the framework of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement; and
• Recognized the important role of indigenous peoples, local communities, cities and civil society, including youth and children, in addressing and responding to climate change and highlights the urgent need for multilevel and cooperative action in this regard;

The COP 27 decision on Matters relating to Action for Climate Empowerment is also highly relevant to bolstering local action.

5.6 reducing disaster risk and building resilience

On this matter, one can note that the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (see decision of the COP and decision of the CMA):

• Emphasized the need to address existing gaps in the global climate observing system, particularly in developing countries, and recognizes that one third of the world, including sixty per cent of Africa, does not have access to early warning and climate information services, as well as the need to enhance coordination of activities by the systematic observation community and the ability to provide useful and actionable climate information for mitigation, adaptation and early warning systems, as well as information to enable understanding of adaptation limits and of attribution of extreme events;
• Welcomed and reiterated the United Nations Secretary-General’s call made on World Meteorological Day on 23 March 2022 to protect everyone on Earth through universal coverage of early warning systems against extreme weather and climate change within the next five years and invites development partners, international financial institutions and the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism to provide support for implementation of the Early Warnings for All initiative;;

The COP 27 decision on Funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including a focus on addressing loss and damage as well as decision on the Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing
loss and damage under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts are highly relevant to the reduction of disaster risk and resilience building.

5.7 solving challenges through international cooperation and enhancing the global partnership

All decisions of the recent COP27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) are relevant to enhancement ofinternational cooperation in addressing climate change. One can note, in particular, that the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (see decision of the COP and decision of the CMA) reaffirmed the critical role of multilateralism based on United Nations values and principles, including in the context of the implementation of the Convention and the Paris Agreement, and the importance of international cooperation for addressing global issues, including climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.

5.8 harnessing science, technology and innovation with a greater focus on digital transformation for sustainable development

The recent COP27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) took a number of decisions relevant to science and climate-related technologies, such as

• Decision on the Implementation of the Global Climate Observing System;
• Decision on Enhancing climate technology development and transfer to support implementation of the Paris Agreement; and
• Decision on the First periodic assessment referred to in paragraph 69 of decision 1/CP.21.

In addition, one can note, in particular, that the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (see decision of the COP and decision of the CMA)

• Recognized the importance of the best available science for effective climate action and policymaking;
• Reiterated the last year’s call upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies, to transition towards low-emission energy systems, including by rapidly scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition;
• Welcomed with appreciation the first joint work programme of the Technology Executive Committee and the Climate Technology Centre and Network, for 2023–2027, which will facilitate the transformational change needed to achieve the goals of the Convention and the Paris Agreement; and
• Highlighted the importance of cooperation on technology development and transfer and innovation in implementing the joint work programme activities

 

5.9 investing in data and statistics for the SDGs

The UNFCCC secretariat conducts multiple data-related activities as part of its support to the implementation of the enhanced transparency framework under the Paris Agreement. For example, a series of events under the motto “#Together4Transparency” was organized during the recent COP 27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), see more information at https://unfccc.int/Together4Transparency.

The UNFCCC secretariat also undertake multiple training activities, including at regional levels, to increase the capacity of experts to participate in the reporting and review activities under the enhanced transparency framework. Details about specific activities can be found on the UNFCCC website at https://unfccc.int/Transparency.

5.10 strengthening the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)

All activities undertaken by the UNFCCC secretariat in collaboration with United Nations entities, convention secretariats and international organizations contribute to strengthening UN work on sustainable development (see also a summary of cooperative activities is provided in the relevant UNFCCC document (FCCC/SBSTA/2022/INF.1).