WAAC – West African Climate Alliance

07Oct

[Article 6 National Readiness]

The Alliance has begun the elaboration of its readiness support framework for its member countries. Although more tailored and structured supports are intended for countries who fit the following categories; early movers, countries with advanced pilot actions and countries with CDM implementation experience; other Alliance member countries will have the opportunity of assessing generic capacity support.

Participation into market-based and non-marked cooperative approaches of Article 6 requires a domestic framework that facilitates the approval and registration of mitigation activities. It also requires an authorisation process for international transfers. This process needs expanded institutional capacities to enable Alliance member countries seize and leverage opportunities in the international carbon market. While a few member countries have some measure of capacity, others lack the knowledge base for carbon markets approaches. This can be explained by the limited implementation experiences with carbon mechanisms. The capacity gap created by Africa’s late entry into carbon markets diminished the need and opportunity, in some countries for the developing relevant frameworks that could support long-term carbon market engagement.

In April, 2021, the Alliance concluded a scooping study aimed assessing the capacity and institutional needs of member countries in relation to Article 6 implementation readiness. In close collaboration with technical partners (Climate Focus, Perspectives and AEE), the Alliance secretariat, hosted by ENDA undertook series of in-depth dialogues and questionnaire administration with country focal points to elicit responses on readiness capacity needs and potential next steps. Information gathered from the thirteen (13) Alliance member countries reveals that broader and enhanced support are needed in supporting countries jump-start the implementation of Article 6.2. The result of the study showed differences in the states of Article 6 preparedness.

Already member countries are working to advance the integration of Article 6 into NDC processes with 14 of the 16 West African Alliance countries already considering the integration of Article 6 into their national NDC. Regarding the development of national Article 6 policy, no member country has developed an Article 6 strategy as various groundwork including public consultations are ongoing. For example, so far 46% consultations with public sector stakeholders have been held and 38,5% private sector stakeholders identified.

Some Alliance countries now have dedicated technical committees for the implementation of Article 6. Others, such as those currently conceptualizing or already far engaged in voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) pilot initiatives have established technical and legal frameworks. Ghana has already established its NDC monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system, while seven (7) other countries are currently in the process of developing one. Advanced Article.6 pilot activities in the sub-region includes the sustainable waste management programme, the standardized crediting framework, and the domestic biogas digesters in Senegal as well as the national clean energy access programme in Ghana and the pilot programme on adaptation benefit mechanism in Côte d’Ivoire.

Based on the study outcomes, the Alliance is now developing a tailored support framework and a clear road map for incorporating Article 6.2 into NDC implementation. In aligning with these priorities, the Alliance will conduct a series of workshops to exchange knowledge and provide technical support needed on topics relevant to Article 6 implementation. The establishment of feedback channels to facilitate knowledge exchange are also planned. Other envisaged study implementation includes elaborating donor coordination. This is to facilitate identification of ITMO buying entities and matching African carbon markets with interested ITM buyers.

07Oct

“Better negotiation prospects for West Africa at SBs52 and CoP 26 as Heads of Delegation and Alliance focal points received enhanced capacity building from the Alliance.

[Alliance Participation into international climate negociations]

Amidst the challenges associated with virtual participation, the West African Alliance on Carbon Market and Climate Finance (WAA) provided technical support in order to facilitate the participation of the Alliance focal points to the informal and formal bilateral talks at the SBSTA 52. Through informed briefings and knowledge support, the heads of thematic groups of the AGN group now have a well-informed position and are better prepared for the upcoming CoP 26. This is a departure from previous CoPs (24 and 25) where West African delegates lacked the clarity and understanding of the principles of Article 6.

This year’s SBs 52 discussions were largely centered around sub-items 6.2, 6.4 and 6.8 of the Article 6. This was due to the controversial nature of some elements of Article 6, like the mandatory/voluntary and provision of finance for adaptation (share of proceeds), CDM transitioning as well as the operationalization of OMGE. However, with the knowledge provided by the Alliance, the heads of thematic groups of the AGN were able to share understanding and arrive at a common position on these issues.

Realizing the value of preparatory capacity workshops, which was evident in the just concluded SBs 52; the Alliance hopes to continue to provide series of preparatory technical workshops to heads of delegation ahead of future UNFCCC CoP preparatory sessions. These preparatory technical workshops had positive impacts on the quality of the arguments and contributions it facilitated consensus among thematic heads on knotty issues. Besides being familiarized with the position of the AGN and the rationale behind each Article 6 sub-issue, the heads of delegation were also able to develop and elaborate a briefing paper intended to guide further pre-COP discussions.

The certainty that West Africa’s position on Article 6 will be clearly articulated at this year’s CoP 26 is high and can be positively attributed to the broad knowledge support provided by the Alliance. Some of these support measures included virtual briefings jointly organized by the East and West African Alliances and the setting up of other instant communication channels like WhatsApp (SB 52 WhatsApp group). The flow of information has increased, and members now have better experiences with exchanging views and sharing information. The Alliance is also promoting the use of specialized platforms where only the Alliance LDCs members can participate in order to enhance strategic talks bothering on the divergent positions between the AGN and LDCs groups.

04Jun

International cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (PA) on market and nonmarket-based activities can support countries in mobilizing resources for mitigation action that collectively helps reach nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and raise ambition therein. National capabilities, including ready-for-purpose institutional frameworks and adequate technical capacities, must be in place to achieve stepwise
Article 6 readiness starting from organizing a basic understanding of Article 6 to mobilizing the full potential of implementation of Article 6 activities.

12Mar

Ms. Asmau Djibril has recently been appointed as an alternate member of the CDM Board (Clean Development Mechanism). In addition to her role as the head of Mitigation Division of Department of Climate Change in Nigeria, Mrs Djibrilis also the Alliance focal point and working group lead person on technology transfer of the West African Alliance. Indeed, the continuous and active involvement of Alliance focal point into the implementation of Alliance’s activities (climate negotiation sessions, webinars, etc.) had remarkably enhanced member’s visibility and engagement at national and international level.

Regarding the Doha amendment, Ms. Asmau Djibril facilitated an accelerated legislative endorsement process for the Doha amendment signature. By the closing business day of October 2^nd 2020, Nigerian Government was able to submit the 144^th ratification letter needed for the UNSG to allow Doha amendment to enter into force. This great accomplishment and commitment by the Nigerian government was acknowledged by Patricia Espinosa C. the Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, in the official twitter account.

12Mar

Since its launch at the close of 2019, the Eastern African Alliance is working very closely with West African Alliance to develop a range of win-win regional partnerships. Driven by common capacity challenges and interests in long-term Article 6 engagement, both Alliances are working together to strengthen cross exchange of ideas and capacity opportunities.

A permanent communication channel has been set up by the two Alliances for improving coordination and the facilitation of planned regional approaches. One of such collaborative efforts is the setting up of virtual platforms for online trainings and exchanges. With funding from the World Bank, the East and West Africa Alliance organized an online carbon pricing training. The success of the online carbon training inspired a regional approach by both Alliances for further initiatives that could engender cross-regional benefits. Thus, the Alliances have organized several activities together in promoting opportunities for member countries.

The collaboration between the two Alliances has contributed to the initiation of activities including preparatory workshop series for Article 6 negotiations as well as coordination meetings set up to support formal and informal interactions during the SBs 52. In addition to inspiring peer-to-peer learning, the strategic partnership between the West and East African Alliance has improved understanding and consensus on key issues of regional interest particularly among negotiating groups such as AGN, LDC, etc.

12Mar

Amidst the challenges associated with virtual participation, the West African Alliance on Carbon Market and Climate Finance (WAA) provided technical support in order to facilitate the participation of the Alliance focal points to the informal and formal bilateral talks at the SBSTA 52. Through informed briefings and knowledge support, the heads of thematic groups of the AGN group now have a well-informed position and are better prepared for the upcoming CoP 26. This is a departure from previous CoPs (24 and 25) where West African delegates lacked the clarity and understanding of the principles of Article 6.

14Sep

05Jun

Trente (30) représentants du Togo, Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinée Bissau, Guinée, Libéria, Mauritanie, Niger, Nigeria, Sénégal, Sierra Leone ont participé à la réunion des membres de l’Alliance Ouest-Africaine sur les Mécanismes des Marchés et la Finance Climat le 4 juillet 2018 ainsi qu’à un atelier sur l’article 6 de l’Accord de Paris tenu les 5 et 6 Juillet 2018 à Lomé, TOGO.

La réunion de l’Alliance a donné aux membres l’occasion d’examiner et d’adopter la structure de gouvernance ainsi que les termes de référence des groupes thématiques de travail, des dispositions financières, de son groupe d’experts, des objectifs de l’appui à la préparation des pays et des activités visant à améliorer l’accès au financement sur le marché du carbone, etc. Les membres ont passé aussi en revue les activités de l’Alliance depuis la COP23 et ont planifié les actions futures menant à la COP24. Le représentant de la Côte d’Ivoire a partagé les informations sur les progrès réalisés dans le cadre de l’initiative de tarification nationale du carbone, avec l’appui de la Coalition pour le leadership en matière de tarification du carbone (CPLC) et du Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR) du Groupe de la Banque Mondiale. La réunion a validé la structure de gouvernance de l’Alliance. Cette rencontre a permis de renforcer la collaboration entre l’Alliance, le Ministère Fédéral de l’Environnement, de la Protection de la nature et de la Sécurité nucléaire (BMU), le Climate Focus, l’Afrique Energie Environnement (AEE), l’Enda Energie et la BOAD qui permettra de maintenir une assistance plus efficace à la région en termes de négociations.

Cet atelier a été l’unique opportunité pour les pays Ouest Africains de revoir les notes informelles préparées par les coprésidents de l’Organe Subsidiaire (SB) de la Convention Cadre des Nations Unies sur les Changements Climatiques (CCNUCC). Les membres ont passé en revue chacune des notes relatives á l’Article 6 de l’Accord de Paris. Cette analyse profonde des textes va aider à formuler une note pour la position des pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest, laquelle pourrait par la suite être inclut dans les notes du Groupe de Négociateurs Africains (GNA).

La réunion de l’Alliance et l’Atelier ont été accueillis par la BOAD avec le soutien du CRC Lomé et la collaboration du BMU, la Banque Mondiale, le Climate Focus, l’AEE, Enda Energie et Perspectives.

Lomé, 09 Juillet 2018

05Jun

Lomé, 09 Juillet 2018