CLIMATE BULLETIN ECSNCC

Hosted by Forum for Environment

National Mother Earth Day Commemoration, 2012

celebrated environmental event Ethiopian Civil Society Networldwide. For over 40 years, Mother work on Climate Change Earth Day (April 22) has been a valuable tool

for inspiring and mobilizing citizens and organizations to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. We are constantly surrounded by environmental challenges as our daily actions contaminate and degrade the fragile environment that humans and wildlife rely upon to survive. Worldwide this years Mother Earth Day theme is Mobilize the Earth. The theme was H.E. Sileshi Getahun, State Minisdesigned to provide people with the opporter of Ministry of Agriculture tunity to unite their voices in a call for a sustainable future and direct them toward quantifiable outcomes. The theme will also act as a launch pad for growing the environmental movement and will put forth a bold declaration demanding immediate action to secure Renewable Energy for All and a Sustainable Future for Our Planet. Nationally, Mother Earth Day is celebrated successively for the last three years dealing on various pertinent issues. For the last three years, four organizations [Forum for Environment; Climate Change Forum; Population Health Environment Ethiopia; Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre] have joined hands in organizing high level meetings, field visits and press conferences. In this year too, 2012, the Mother Earth Day organizers, mentioned earlier, with an additional partnership of FARM Africa-SOS Sahel, organized two days national workshop on April 24 and 25 at Ghion Hotel to link the undertakings of the Ethiopian government, Civil Society, Researchers and the communities in re-greening initiatives. Accordingly, the theme of the workshop was Re-greening for Food Security, adaptation to Climate Change & Poverty Reduction. The workshop was in line with the Great Green Wall Initiative that is well accepted and endorsed both by the governments of Sub Saharan African countries including Ethiopia
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By Messay Sintayehu

other Earth Day is the largest, most

The Climate Bulletin is a monthly newsletter focusing on climate change

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Climate Events...............................2 Members Profile...........................8 Durban Update...........................9 Climate Change in the News..10 Research Corner.....................11

CONTACT US
For any information on updates, articles, events or comments:
edenm@ecsncc.org mahlete@ecsncc.org Phone: +2511 552 1662 Fax: +251 1 552 1034 P.o.Box: 10386

April Issue, 2012

Vol. 3, Issue 02

Climate Events
Climate Cartoon Earth Day Celebration At The US EmbassyBy
one day panel discussion and field work on April 21, 2012 was co-organized by the US Embassy, Addis Ababa Environmental Protection Authority and Tena Kebena Youth Association. More than eighty students from different high schools participated on this event. The opening speech was given by Mr. Robert Post, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy briefing the participants about the history of the earth day. After the opening, the National Green Volunteer Service (NGVS) documentary film, which was proTree Planting duced by Forum for Environment (FfE), was screened. The documentary film that was screened motivated the students to participate in the 2012 NGVS. Six panelists from FfE, Tena Continued from page 1 Kebena Youth Association and from 2011 NGVS participants National Mother Earth... addressed questions from participants. Most questions revolved around the future plan of the organizers to continue and the Civil Societies. It also identified a platform to strengthen the NGVS. FfE briefed the objectives and goal of the NGVS and scale up the best practices of integrated rehabilitation and and announced that the 2012 NGVS will be starting on July re-greening programs in different parts of the country to help 10, 2012 at SNNPR. Furthermore it is stated that application implementing the nations plan to re-green 15 million hectare. forms will be distributed to their schools as of May 2012. The successful re-greening practices from countries like Niger Previous participants of NGVS also briefed the benefits they and Japan in Agro-forestry were presented to materialize the Ethiopian governments target to plant 100 million Faidherhave got from the program. In the after- bia albida trees. Presentations of various kinds from different noon the agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia were made on re-greening s t u d e n t s successes which all depicted the tools & techniques for scaling t o g e t h e r up. The workshop also entertained renowned panelists on the with the US following topics: How to sustain and scale-up the current reE m b a s s y greening initiatives; Climate Resilient Green Growth strategy of staff vol- Ethiopia (CRGE); Population, food security and climate change; u n t e e r e d Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and current initiative of in the field the Ethiopian government; REDD+ and Rio+20 preparations. work at the Millennium Moreover, this years Mother Earth Day commemoration is Park. Am- linked with 2012 World Environment Day through an Environb a s s a d o r ment Learning Journey. It includes Inter and Intra regional ExDonald E perience Exchange Visit Programs for practitioners, and policy Booth, US and decision makers to the best re-greening projects in differa m b a s - ent agro-ecological zones. Preparations are under way for its Panel Discussion sador in implementation
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Bezawit Wondwossen

Ethiopia has given the opening speech. The volunteers dig holes for seedling plantation at the park. The 2012 Earth day celebration was closed by a closing speech from a representative of the Addis Ababa Environmental Authority and a group picture with guest of honors

April Issue, 2012

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Climate Events
Upcoming Events
Resilient Cities 2012: 3rd Global Forum on Urban Resilience and Adaptation May 12 - 15, 2012, Bonn, Germany Web site:http://resilient-cities.iclei.org/bonn2012/home/

Enhancing The Engagement In The Carbon Market On Ethiopia

he Federal Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Ethiopia in collaboration with the Swedish Energy Agency (SEA) and the African Climate Policy Center (ACPC) organized a national workshop on April 17, 2012 at the UNECA conference center. The major objective of the workshop was to discuss issues that can enhance Ethiopias engagement in the carbon market initiatives. Various experts from different countries were part of the event and shared their experiences on Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) from different perspectives. Mr. Jens Odlander, Ambassador of Sweden, acknowledged the Growth and Transformation Plan and Climate Resilient Green Economy of Ethiopia and advised that new investment to have linkage with the concept of CDM. The Swedish government is currently supporting African countries and mentioned that Sweden wants to continue and strengthen her engagement with Ethiopia. Dr. Tewolde-Berhan GebreEgziabher, Director General of the Federal EPA, said the workshop was very timely and explained how the CRGE strategy aimed at building a carbon neutral and middle income country by 2025. While building its resilience, Ethiopia will also take steps to ensure that its economy is green and sustainable. To do this, the country will seize the opportunities presented by low carbon technologies and invest in green industries. According to Dr. Tewolde, evidence shows that Ethiopias agriculture, forestry and energy sectors are ripe for low carbon development. By making the right investments, Ethiopia will position itself to be competitive in a carbon-constrained global economy. Ato Wondwossen Sintayehu, EPA, briefly presented the opportunity and threats of climate change stated in the CRGE strategy. He underlined that developing a climate resilient
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By Mahlet Tadesse

green economy requires the integration of economic development, adaptation and mitigation aspects. He also mentioned the investment plan for the implementation is being prepared and a facility is established to monitor and manage the financial issues of the strategy. He stressed the role that carbon finance has being considered as an opportunity to overcome finance related barriers to implement the strategy. Representatives that came from the Standard Bank, Swedish CDM and JI programme, World Bank CiDev and SustDev Carbon shared their experiences from investors perspectives. The panelists mentioned that Ethiopia has a tremendous potential to benefit from CDM projects in rural electrification, renewable energy, natural regeneration of forests, agriculture, soil carbon, biogas programmes, geothermal as well as from small and large scale hydropower plants. However, the projects need to fulfill the requirements: for instance; feasibility study, actual assessment, approvals from certain government authorities, Environmental Impact Assessment, well functioning Designated National Authorities (DNA) before requesting for carbon finances. They also suggested projects to encompass specific and additional benefit to the local community. Discussion was also made on various legal issues and the significance of creating enabling environment for carbon investments. The host country domestic laws must comply with requirements imposed by CDM like that of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, establishment of DNA which plays a role of administration for project approval and review. In line with this, three countries (Kenya, Brazil and Zambia) shared their experiences and lessons learnt in their countries CDM projects and from their professional assessments on carbon investments in Africa. The panelists underlined attention to be given for preinvestment costs; technical knowledge on DNA, working and effective DNA and the need for effective legal framework to encourage investments. In addition, they also mentioned that early stage project facilitation finance is quite substantial. The government should take a lead to encourage peoples involvement as well as to strengthen domestic financial sectors for the underling finance of project implementation.
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April Issue, 2012

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Climate Events
Upcoming Events
World Renewable Energy Forum 2012 May 13 - 17, 2012, Denver, United States of America Website:http://ases.org/index. php?option=com_content&v iew=article&id=156&Item id=53

African Carbon Forum, 2012

he fourth Africa Carbon Forum was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-20 April 2012. The meeting was hosted by the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority and jointly organized by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Bank, UNEP Risoe Centre, Economic Commission for Africa - African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Africa Carbon Forum is a trade fair and knowledgesharing event focusing on carbon investments in Africa. It provides a platform for interested stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in the carbon markets, as well as to identify means by which the Kyoto Protocols Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other mitigation mechanisms can be successfully applied in Africa. The Forum is a regular event held under the Nairobi Framework, an initiative established in 2006 to help developing countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, to improve their participation in the CDM. This years event was the largest African Carbon Forum to date, with over 1000 participants attending from 80 countries, including 34 African countries. The Forum included: updates on recent developments in the international carbon markets; the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol: the future of CDM in Africa, launch of the CDM loan scheme, information on challenges; opportunities to dialogue with project developers and technical specialists; discussions on best practices and lessons; sessions on strategies and measures; CDM project showcases; and matchmaking and deal facilitation opportunities. Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, Director General, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopia, welcomed participants to the Forum stressing the importance of tak-

By Messay Sintayehu

ing action on climate change by highlighting the importance of the Forum in facilitating Africas engagement in the carbon markets and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Six plenary sessions were convened in the Forum starting with a high level panel discussion on the Durban Platform- Post 2020 Architecture in which Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa, applauded the efforts of the international community in adopting the Durban Platform, stressing its importance in pushing past deadlocks. Another panel which Ethiopia was part of was the Low Carbon Developments (LCDS) and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). PROMOTING LCDS AND NAMAS: This plenary session on LCDS and NAMAs was held on the second day morning and moderated by Kai-Uwe Schmidt from World Bank. William Koyo Agyemang-Bonsu, UNFCCC Secretariat, recalled the positive outcomes of COP 17, which strengthened measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) and established the NAMA Registry, allowing both developing and developed countries to make voluntary submissions of information on their mitigating actions. On the UNFCCC Secretariats support for supporting LCDS and NAMAs, he highlighted consultations with developing countries, analyses by a team of experts, development of certification of registries, regional workshops, and preparation of a handbook to assist countries in preparing their NAMA reports. Wondwossen Sintayehu, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopia, spoke of Ethiopias policy and development framework adopted in 2010 to help the country increase its green economic growth, become a middle-income country and carbon-neutral by 2025. He highlighted the countrys low carbon potential, but noted to transform the countrys target sectors by 2025, the country will require US$150 billion. He said this will need to be gathered through,inter alia, government support, renewable energy export, carbon credits and international financial investment.
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World Congress on Water, Climate and Energy May 13 - 18, 2012,Dublin, Ireland Website:http://iwa-wcedublin.org

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Climate Events
Upcoming Events
UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies May 2012 May 14 - 25, 2012, Bonn, Germany Web site:http://www.unfccc. int African Carbon...
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Tom Morton, ClimateCare, stressed the need to decouple economic growth from GHG emissions growth in developing countries. Focusing specifically on household GHG emissions, he stated that emissions from African and European households may in some circumstances be comparable and suggested that there is significant potential to reduce biomass emissions in Africa. He stressed the need to take a range of approaches, including promoting renewable wood lots, increasing efficiency in charcoal use and improving stoves and kitchen practices. In the ensuing discussion, participants commented on: the roles of LCDS and NAMAs; additionality requirements; NAMA financing and the timeframe for implementation; the need to prioritize adaptation issues; the role of green economy strategies; the potential of geothermal energy development; challenges in measuring progress; the economic viability of low-carbon projects; reducing institutional and regulatory barriers to low-carbon energy development; the need to consider both programme- and project-focused opportunities when identifying NAMAs; the role of the private sector in developing NAMAs; and the need to seize the opportunities created by new carbon markets. In a side event organized by the Ethiopian government and UNDP, Ethiopia launched the National Cook stove Investment Plan to distribute 9million cookstoves by 2015. Keynote speech was given by Mr. Wondimu Takele, State Minister of Ministry of Water and Energy, followed by presentations and discussions
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by the African Development Bank (AfDB) that would possibly help any cross-border power interconnection projects. The closing remark was given by Ms Angela Churie Kallhauge from Swedish Energy Agency. She said there is an opportunity that should not be missed regarding CDM. Linking Ethiopias comprehensive vision and strategy with CDM will help to harness the countrys potential for carbon finance. Capacity building at all levels, sensitizing politicians, decision makers, private sectors and other stakeholders will be essential to better benefit from carbon finance
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International...
Mechanisms for Handling Complaints During its 17thBoard Meeting, the Adaptation Fund Board, having considered the recommendation of the Ethics and Finance Committee, decided to: (i) Include information on the Funds website about the mechanisms for handling complaints about accredited Implementing Entities and the possibility of communicating directly with the secretariat; (ii) Assign one of the its staff members the task of receiving complaints related to project implementation on a temporary basis until the investigative mechanism is fully established. Source: http://www.adaptation-fund.org

38th Summit of the G8 May 18 - 19, 2012, United States of America, Camp David, Maryland E-mail:Chicago G8 & NATO Host Committee Web site:http://www.chicagog8nato.org/

Furthermore, participants discussed the impacts of grid emission factor on CDM development in Ethiopia. Mr. Stephan Hoch, from University of Freiburg, mentioned that Ethiopia has the smallest (0.006) grid emission factor in the world. On the other hand, new CDM methodology has been developed

Enhancing The Engagement...

Local News 8 mln Euro grant to strengthen Africas response to climate change
The European Union granted the ClimDev Africa initiative the sum of 8 Million Euro to support Africas response to climate variability and climate change by developing African policy capacity. Source: www.capitalethiopia.com May 6, 2012)

April Issue, 2012

5 Vol. 3, Issue 02

Climate Events
Upcoming Events
Preparatory Meeting for European Youth Representatives to Rio+20 May 18 - 20, 2012, Bonn, Germany Website:http://rioplustwenties. org/documents/12%2004%20 13%20Rio%2020%20Prepara...

Rio+20And Beyond: Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition

one day workshop on April 10, 2012 was co-organized by Forum for Environment (FfE), Christian Aid (CA), Horn of Africa Regional Environmental Center & Network (HoAREC) and Addis Ababa University College of Natural Science. The workshop aimed at contributing concrete ideas from CSOs in Ethiopia to the national and global dialogue in the run-up to UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) to be held in the coming June at Rio-de-Janeiro in Brazil. The heads of FfE, Christian Aid, HoAREC gave opening remarks and the VicePresident of Addis Ababa University gave a keynote address. From left Araya Asfaw (PhD) (HOAREC/N), Prof. Masresha Fetene (AAU), Mahlet Eyassu (FfE) and Cathy Riley (CA) Participants then discussed the status, issues and roles of Ethiopian government, other member states and CSOs in the preparation for RIO+20. Many participants emphasized that Ethiopia could play a crucial role as its the only country in Africa that has a Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy. According to Dr. Satish from HoAREC, the African nations and the Rio secretariats want Ethiopia to be exemplary for the rest of the countries in RIO. The two main themes in RIO are: Green Economy in the context of Poverty Eradication and Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development, which has to do with what the country has
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already engaged in. The experience of other organizations, regional and international networks; their initiatives and preparation for RIO+20 has also been discussed to strengthen the CSOs engagement in Ethiopia. Some of the initiatives of the Climate Action Network International (CAN-I), Earth Debates and Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) were presented by Ms. Mahlet Eyassu, FfE, Ms. Rahel. and Dr. Habtemariam Abate, SLUF respectively. In addition, Mr. Kirubel from ETC group has also presented and gave updates about the first Informal-Informal and Third Inter- sectional meeting held in New York City last March. Participants expressed the need for a clear definition on the concept of green economy as it might have a hidden agenda that will slowdown Africas ambition for development. The partakers of the workshop argued that Participants at the meeting human being should be the center of concern for sustainable development by taking full account of how population and society interact with the natural environment. Besides, they called for a focus on intergovernmental processes and county efforts towards eradicating poverty, creating an equitable society as well as sustainable management of natural resources. In addition, the issue of finance was also raised whenever green economy and sustainable development was discussed. The CSOs should bridge the knowledge gap at different levels in the country and should also translate the information into tangible actions by engaging different stakeholders and the grass root community. Before the meeting closed, a committee was established to enrich and finalize the Ethiopian CSOs roadmap statement for RIO+20 that were drafted by the organizers to be uploaded in the UNCSD website

By Mahlet Tadesse

First Southern African Solar Energy Conference May 21 - 23, 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa Web site:http://www.sasec. org.za/

April Issue, 2012

Vol. 3, Issue 02

Climate Events
Upcoming Events
23rd Meeting of the FAO Committee on Agriculture May 21 - 23, 2012,Rome, Italy Web site:http://www.fao.org/ bodies/coag/coag23/en/

HoA-REC launches Carbon Credit Team

This is in the end expensive and lacks continuity. Dr Araya Asfaw Director of HoA-REC said the Carbon Credit Team is a timely initiative. Ethiopia has many potential in generating Carbon Credit. Many organizations have done pioneer work in this area. However the potential of the country in carbon credit needs to be developed further. One of the bottlenecks is the lack of capacity in the country. This Carbon Credit Team will contribute towards filling this gap. He thanked ICCO for the collaboration in this and many other fields. Mr Gert de Gans said that ICCO has programs and networks to enhance the successful development of carbon projects. ICCO will enhance its efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Carbon Credit Team here in Addis to generate resources for the enhancement of rural livelihood and to protect the environment. The launching workshop has agreed on the following points. HoA-REC will establish a Carbon Credit Team (CCT) to assist partners in developing the carbon layer of their project.

By Abiy Ashenafi

UNGA Thematic Debate on Preparations for UNCSD May 22, 2012, New York, United States of America Website:http://www.un.org/ en/ga/president/66/Letters/ PDF/Rio+20%20-%20 20%20Apr...

he Horn of Africa Regional Environment Center and Network (HoA-REC/N) has launched the Carbon Credit Team (CCT) onMonday 23rd of April at Hilton Hotel. The CCT is being set up in collaboration with ICCO, (www.icco. nl). The CCT will support partnersto develop bankable carbon projects and enhance the capacity to generate resources through carbon credit in Ethiopia and in due course in the region. In his official opening remark, Ato Dereje Agonafer of EPA said that the establishment of Carbon Credit Team is an important milestone in filling the professional gaps in developing bankable project in Ethiopia. He furDr. Araya Asfaw, HoAREC ther noted that EPA giving an opening remark looks forward to collaborate with HoA-REC/N in enhancing the implementation of recently launched the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy (CRGE). Low carbon solution brings opportunity to bring about social and economic development through supporting existing and new initiatives. Ethiopia is working on translating this strategy into investment plans and projects. In conclusion, he said the CCT is in line with the government policy. Ato Abiy Ashenafi of HoA-REC said that the development of Carbon layer of a project needs specific skill, network and full time dedication. In many cases project developers juggle between the development of the project and the carbon layer. This usually leads to abandoning the carbon layer or the assignment being given to (international) consultants.
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Participants at the launch

The Carbon credit team will establish a network through which the experience of partners who are working on Carbon development is linked systematically as to create a solid local knowledge base. 1. World Vision Ethiopia, Farm Africa, Environment Forum on Coffee and Forest and HoA-REC have agreed to establish a Coordination Platform (CP) through which the work of CCT can be mainstreamed and made more relevant for all the sectors. The CP will work closely with EPA, the Ministry of Water and Energy and Agriculture and UNDP. 2. HoA-REC will take the first initiative and coordinate the platform

April Issue, 2012

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Members Profile
List of Publication Gaia Association Months Pick
aia Association is an Ethiopian Resident Charity established in 2005 to revolutionize the household energy economy in Ethiopia, across a range of households; from private homes in Addis Ababa to refugee camps. Gaia Association and its US based sister organization Project Gaia Inc. have been introducing ethanol as a household fuel in Ethiopia which then replaces existing traditional household fuels, primarily firewood and dung. Together with the Administration for Refugee and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) and UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); Gaia Association has been implementing its projects in the Eastern refugee camps of Kebribeyah, Awbere and Sheder. Gaias objectives in the camps are to: Renewable Energy & Climate Change Nexus in Ethiopia, June, 2011 -Reduce cooking energy requirements through the provision of fuel-efficient devices & alternative energy sources, -Contribute to the enhancement of refugee protection, and -To relieve women from the tedious task of firewood collection and risk of Gender-based violence (GBV), while also improving indoor air quality. Gaia continued to expand its project by introducing a technology to produce ethanol in small scale distilleries. For this, Gaia Association secured a grant from Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, World Bank and Nordic Climate Facility. The Grant from FEPA planned to build three a 150lit/day Ethanol Micro-Distilleries (EMDs) in three regions of Ethiopia while the grant from WB and NCF targets to install a 1000lit/ day EMD in Addis Ababa. The FEPA EMDs are planned to be installed in Gambella, Amhara and Oromia regional states of the country that have sugarcane plantation to be used as feedstock for ethanol production. It is also planned that the EMDs will be installed in the selected villages of the regions and will be owned by the local communities cooperative. The project aims to introduce ethanol for household use in the
8 April Issue, 2012

villages and nearby towns and at the same time to enhance the daily income of the communities. The ethanol produced will be used for domestic cooking with ethanol stoves which are already in plan to be disseminated in the communities. Gaia Association launched the Addis EMD project after establishing partnership with Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority and Former Fuel wood carriers Association (FWFCA) to implement the project successfully. The project targets to supply ethanol and distribute ethanol fuelled cooking stoves to 1000 low and middle income households in Kolfe-Keranio sub-city at the outskirts of Addis Ababa by establishing a community owned and run EMD. Gaia Association has been working closely with Makobu Enterprises PLC, who will be the eventual local stove manufacturer. The partnership is currently collaborating on the Addis Ababa commercialization of the CC Stove, securing ethanol supply and to assess Carbon Financing Mechanisms and others for stove price reduction. In addition The Association has been working with all related Ethiopian government offices especially; Ministry of Water and Energy, Alternative Energy Technology Promotion and Dissemination Directorate, Sugar Agency, Addis Ababa City Government, and the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Health and others. Gaia Association is one of the members of ECSNCC and has been an active member of the Network. It is a member of the energy working group also serves as the leading agency of the working group

Vol. 3, Issue 02

Durban Update
Upcoming Events
2012 International Biodiversity Day May 22, 2012 The theme for this years International Day for Biological Diversity is marine biodiversity. Web site:http://www.cbd.int/ idb/2012/
With regards to hosting the Climate Technology Centre (CTC), the evaluation panel comprised of six members of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) has shortlisted three applicants of the nine that have offered to host the center. The three candidates, in descending order of ranking, are: a consortium led by the United Nations Environment Programme; the Global Environment Facility; and Det Norske Veritas AS. The report of the evaluation panel will be considered by governments at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn (14 to 25 May) under the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Implementation. And the host of the CTC will be recommended for final approval at COP18 at the end of the year that will make the Technology Australia in its submission said it would make a decision only Mechanism become fully operational in early 2013. after parties agree on how long the second Kyoto period (5 or 8 years) would last and how many surplus Kyoto permits The first formal UN Climate Conference after Durban (i.e. COP 17) can be transferred from the first phase. While New Zealand will take place in Bonn on 14 - 25 May 2012, which is designed to said it needs full clarity on the ongoing negotiations and prepare decisions for adoption at the UN Climate Change Conthe rules and how these relate to the emission reduction ference in Qatar on 26 November - 7 December, 2012 measures it is ready to do so domestically. Both countries stressed that they have set 2020 emission goals domestical- Continued from page 11 ly that are not legally-binding internationally. It is believed Engendering Climate... that these issues will be discussed in the upcoming session their vulnerability; the need for generating and disseminating in Bonn, Germany. gender disaggregated data; the need to pay particular attention Regarding the Green Climate Fund, the first board meeting to womens special conditions; the need for understanding and was supposed to take place before the end of April, which addressing existing inequalities between men and women that did not happen as the EU and other groups could not come intensify the impacts of climate change for individuals and cominto an agreement and were late in nominating their rep- munities; the importance of noting that a gendered approach to resentatives to sit on the board. Due to these reasons the climate change should not simply be about women but should first board meeting was postponed to end of May being de- take into account the concerns and capabilities of men and boys; layed for a month, which could also be postponed unless all the importance of technology needs assessment exercises recmembers are nominated. The other element in the Durban ognizing that technology needs of men and women are not aldecision was the expression of interest by parties to host the ways identical; and the need for gender training at various levels GCF based on the criteria set by mid April. Consequently six to address issues of knowledge and skills for the integration of countries i.e. Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Mexico, Namib- gender perspectives in climate change policy making, programia and Republic of Korea have expressed their interest and ming , and implementation. The report also recommends the the board will conduct an open and transparent process to establishment of a separate Gender and Climate Change Workselect the host country that will be endorsed by the COP in ing Group under the Ethiopian Civil Society Network on Climate COP18. Following up on this the interim secretariat has also Change
9 April Issue, 2012

he decision of the Durban Summit last December includes the continuation of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol until either 2017 or 2020 with parties to set their post-2012 emission reduction targets by May 1, 2012. It is to be recalled that Canada, Russia and Japan have said they will not continue to be party to the Kyoto Protocol that was ratified in 2005. However, Australia and New Zealand have missed a deadline to set post-2012 emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, with both governments saying they will decide whether to continue to be legally bound to cut emissions of the seven greenhouse gases later this year.

By Mahlet Eyassu

launched a website i.e. www.gcfund.net.

All-Energy 2012 Exhibition and Conference May 23 - 24, 2012,Aberdeen, United Kingdom Website:http://www.all-energy.co.uk/

Vol. 3, Issue 02

Climate Change in the News

Upcoming Events
29th Meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee May 28 - 29, 2012,Bonn, Germany Web site:http://unfccc.int/ meetings/unfccc_calendar/ items/2655.php
Climate change has intensified the global water cycle Climate scientists have said that one of the many downsides of a warming planet is that both droughts and torrential rains are both likely to get worse. Thats what climate models predict, and thats what observers have noted, most recently in the IPCCs report on extreme weather, released last month. Source: Climate Central Mr. Obama needs to show hes serious about climate change In an interview that Rolling Stone published on April 25, President Obama said that he thinks climate change will be a big issue in the coming election and that he will be very clear about his belief that were going to have to take further steps to deal with climate change. Source: Washington Post A roadmap to climate-friendly cars Americas high-carbon electricity grid short-circuits efforts to give consumers climate-friendly EV options. A new analysis provides a state-by-state road map to the most climate friendly cars on the market today. Source: Climate Central UN struggles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions While striving to secure an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally, the international organization has seen pollution from its own activities, particularly flying, rise. Source: ClimateWire Obama: Climate change will be a campaign issue President Barack Obama says the amount of money poured
10 April Issue, 2012

International News

into fighting the scientific consensus on climate change will push the issue into the presidential campaign. Source: Politico Mexicos Senate passes sweeping climate bill, making significant move toward curbing climate change Mexicos Senate has further propelled the country toward a lowcarbon economy, approving a comprehensive climate change bill that aims to increase renewable energy use, set ambitious goals to curb domestic emissions and establish a high-level climate commission that is authorized to create a domestic carbon market. Source: Environmental Defense Fund (EDF); http://www.edf. org/ Danger from the deep: New climate threat as methane rises from cracks in Arctic ice The researchers found significant amounts of methane being released from the ocean into the atmosphere through cracks in the melting sea ice. They said the quantities could be large enough to affect the global climate. Previous observations have pointed to large methane plumes being released from the seabed in the relatively shallow sea off the northern coast of Siberia but the latest findings were made far away from land in the deep, open ocean where the surface is usually capped by ice. Source: The Independent/ http://www.independent.co.uk Peru is latest developing nation to adopt climate change initiative Perubecame the latest developing country to enact a domestic climate change initiative in the absence of a binding global pact, adopting a resolution on Thursday to lower carbon emissions in its fast-growing economy. Source: Reuters
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Research Corner
Upcoming Events Engendering Climate Change Policy And Practice In Ethiopia: A Study Commissioned Climate Adaptation Futures: Second International Climate By The Ethiopian Civil Society Network On Change Adaptation Conference Climate Change 2012
May 29 - 31, 2012,Tucson, United States of America Web site:http://www.adaptation.arizona.edu/adaptation2012
climate change and the need for engendering climate change related policies and practices. The study included the assessment of the gender sensitiveness of the Environmental Policy of Ethiopia (EPE), Ethiopias Programme of Adaptation to Climate Change (EPA CC), and the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) of Ethiopia. In addition, the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) 2010/11-2014/15, various agricultural and rural development policies and strategies, Ethiopias Energy Policy and Bio-fuels Strategy, Water Policy, Womens Policy (1993), Health Policy (1994), and the most recent Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy document were looked into. Prior to the assessment of these policies and strategies, the study also provides an overview of the climate variability and changes in Ethiopia and the related gender differential impacts and vulnerabilities. The report also discusses a selection of tools for engendering climate change related policies and programmes and recommends some strategies for engendering climate change policy and practice. Following the assessment of the strengths and gaps of the different policies and strategies in engendering climate change, the report puts forward some key recommendations. The recommendations emphasize the need to look at womens capacities, knowledge and experiences as environmental managers and leaders beyond the common tendency of focusing just on
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By Medhin Fisseha omen constitute nearly half of the Ethiopian population. The results of the 2007 Population and Housing Census in Ethiopia indicated that females accounted for 49.5% of the total population of the country. Similarly, half of the 84% of the total population whose livelihood depends on agriculture are women. Like in many other poor countries, Ethiopian women face a set of multiple, cross-cutting, and interrelated problems - including, and exacerbated by, the impacts of climate change. Women are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. On the other hand, as producers and environmental managers, women play a vital role in the economic and social development processes. These and various other factors make it imperative that any response to climate change is gender sensitive. Understanding that failure to consider the gender dimensions of climate change at various levels not only exacerbates gender inequalities, but also undermines the effectiveness of climate change responses, the Ethiopian Civil Society Network on Climate Change (ECSNCC) commissioned a study on Engendering Climate Change Policy and Practice in Ethiopia in the second half of 2011. The study was conducted with financial support from Southern Voices through the Dan Church Aid office in Ethiopia. The purpose of the study was to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the gaps in the gender sensitiveness of climate change related policies and programmes in Ethiopia and introduce appropriate tools for mainstreaming gender in such policies and programmes. It was also with the aim to use the report of the review to facilitate discussions among various stakeholders on the role of gender in

Climate Bulletin
Editorial Board Bezawit Wondwossen, Mahlet Eyassu, Mahlet Tadesse, Medhin Fisseha, Messay Sintayehu Layout & Design Eden Mesfin www.ecsncc.org

11 April Issue, 2012

Vol. 3, Issue 02