Clima East Policy Project:

Clima East Policy Project: OVERVIEW OF RESULTS This project is fundedby the European Union

Clima East: Support to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in ENP East Countries and Russia

The climate change challenge in the Eastern Partnership region - the context for Clima East In October 2016, the Ministers for Environment of the EU Member States, the Ministers for Environment of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, the EU Commissioner for Environment and the EU Commissioner for the European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement gathered in Luxembourg and confirmed their commitment to address the challenges facing the region from climate change and environmental hazards, issuing the DECLARATION ON COOPERATION ON ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP. The Declaration recognised the ever growing scientific consensus around the threats posed by climate change. It highlighted the need for action at regional and national level and in the context of international cooperation, both within the EaP and globally - for example through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Ministers stressed that “environmental and

climate challenges are transboundary and interdependent by nature, and therefore require a holistic approach to address them” and that “strengthened transboundary cooperation and joint action on air, forests, land and soil, nature and biodiversity and water resources, including seas, are needed”. This call to action responds to the evidence that continues to accumulate on the man-made nature of climate change and of the critical need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to avoid catastrophic effects on the lives and livelihoods of people across the world. The European Union and its neighbours in the Eastern Neighbourhood are beginning to experience these impacts, from flooding and extreme rainfall events, to heatwaves causing fires and ill health, to changes in land cover and water resources, affecting industry, agriculture and households.

Eastern Partnership ministerial meeting on Environment and Climate Change © European Union 2016

Clima East Policy Project Objectives

Activities

The overall objective of the Project, funded by the European Union, was to support the Eastern Partnership countries1 so that they are better equipped for greenhouse-gas emission reductions and better prepared to deal with climate change impacts. More specifically, the programme aimed to foster improved climate change policies, strategies and market mechanisms more in line with the EU acquis in the partner countries, by supporting regional cooperation and improving access to information regarding EU climate change policies/ acquis.

The Clima East Policy Project (Budget €8.2 million) was implemented from October 2012 until April 2017 and provided

1 The Russian Federation also participated in certain regional activities.

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• demand driven technical assistance for national climate change policy and planning • support to regional dialogue and improved information about the EU climate acquis • assistance for preparations for international climate change meetings and discussions, and responding to commitments under international agreements, including under the UNFCCC and under Association Agreements with the EU where relevant

Clima East Policy Project: Overview of Results

Tackling climate change requires both mitigation efforts (efforts to reduce GHG emissions and minimise climate change) and adaptation actions (adjustments to accommodate the current and future effects of climate change). The international community has reached consensus on a core goal to reduce emissions sufficiently to keep overall global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels, seen as a watershed level to try to avoid catastrophic climate change. But this will require huge effort. The economy of many parts of the EaP region - both EU and Partner Countries - has historically grown through heavy industry and mechanisation, contributing in a significant way to historic and current emissions. Other areas have seen less industrialisation, but all countries have a part to play in mitigating climate change in the future, recognising the impact that each nation’s choices - on energy production and use, infrastructure and transport investments, industrial development, agricultural systems and other policies - have on GHG emissions, and the way that choices on the use of resources and the landscape affect opportunities to extract and store some GHGs and prevent them from entering the atmosphere. Each sector needs clear policies and strategies to reduce net emissions, which in turn require data, modelling systems

and skilled specialists to calculate likely emissions over time. Similarly in each sector and region it is important to understand and plan to adapt to likely effects of climate change, again with a good basis of data and with modelling tools to inform decisions. And at the top, a coordinating framework is crucial, with clear leadership to ensure that overarching economic and social development is attained while achieving emissions reduction targets. The European Union has funded the Clima East project package between 2012 and 2017 to support these efforts to tackle climate change nationally and in partnership and dialogue within the Eastern Partnership region. Supporting and responding to political dialogue and linking with previous and parallel technical assistance programmes, Clima East has provided targeted and demand-driven expertise into a range of national policy processes, and to support cooperation between the European Union and its partners. This report captures an overview of those activities and the results supported, and demonstrates the breadth of engagement across the Eastern Partnership with the challenge of mainstreaming climate change into the heart of policy-making.

Contents The road to the Paris Agreement, and next steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Working regionally: joint actions and lessons shared. . . . . . . . . . . 6

It has supported public authorities and other stakeholders through specialised activities and advice on specific questions and challenges faced in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Clima East – national activities and results Armenia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Azerbaijan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Belarus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Georgia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The Clima East Policy Project formed part of the wider EU funded Clima East project package which included a Pilot Project component (Budget €11 million) implemented by UNDP, supporting the development of ecosystems-based approaches to climate change.

Moldova. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Ukraine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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The road to the Paris Agreement, and next steps The Clima East Policy Project was commissioned during a crucial period in international cooperation efforts to combat climate change, as preparations got underway to agree a new global climate agreement under the UNFCCC to succeed the Kyoto Protocol (KP). Signed by Parties in 2005, the KP set out the emissions control regime in force from 2008 until 2020, but the new agreement was now to take action forward, determining activities far into the 21st century in the light of the latest scientific data on the nature and pace of climate change and its drivers. Chief among the aims of the negotiations around the new agreement was to pave a path towards reducing emissions to a level that will limit global temperature increases to less than 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. The new agreement was reached by Parties to the UNFCCC at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP.21) in December 2015, in Paris.

processes. Given the importance of the Paris Agreement to all partners throughout the Project’s lifetime, and its position as a meeting point of international and national climate policy and action, this section takes stock of some of the support provided by Clima East to assist that engagement.

Working towards what is now known as the Paris Agreement, and implementing its outcomes, has been both a focus of Clima East support itself and has also acted as a driver of wider climate policy action, in turn supported by Clima East where requested. Most notably, the need for comprehensive, economy-wide assessments and action on emissions and adaptation has provided momentum to efforts to mainstream climate change within decision-making across all sectors. The Policy Project has responded to requests for assistance from a wide range of actors as they engage with COP and mainstreaming

Clima East results: Some quick facts • Clima East support assisted submission of INDCs by all Partner Countries • More than 40 sectoral ministries and agencies engaged on Paris Agreement preparations and implementation • The Governments of Moldova and Belarus were assisted to increase the level of ambition of their INDC with the help of Clima East analysis • Clima East public awareness raising materials and events reach more than 1000 viewers, as well as wider media coverage • Assistance provided to stakeholders in all Partner Countries to take practical steps to implement Paris Agreement provisions

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How has Clima East helped partners to prepare for and implement the Paris Agreement? Supporting partners to effectively engage in the negotiations Between 2013 and 2015 Clima East organised a series of preparatory workshops for negotiators from the Partner Countries, to meet with specialists from the DG CLIMA, EU Member States and other partners to discuss key negotiation items and gain common understanding of emerging requirements and rules that would apply for the UNFCCC debates on the new Agreement. The events also provided opportunity for the EU and partners to explore each other’s priorities and share approaches and views ahead of UNFCCC sessions. Clima East Experts also provided on-site support at UNFCCC COP and preparatory sessions, helping Partner Countries – especially those with smaller negotiating teams – to cover more ground and keep abreast of key discussions.

Awareness raising Clima East provided extensive support to raising awareness and understanding of the aims and requirements of the COP.21 negotiations at national level, among both policy makers, wider stakeholders and the general public. For example: • Project experts facilitated meetings of the INDC Working Group of the Government of Azerbaijan, introducing specific implications and requirements of the INDC drafting process for particular sectors through specialist workshops for line Ministry/ agency officials. • The Project supported broad based awareness-raising events for government and civil society, widely covered by local media to reach the general public, to reinforce the support basis for ambitious engagement with discussions in Paris. • A special series of Clima East Newsletters entitled ‘Countdown to COP’ as well as social media communications were shared to explain the negotiations process for the general public as COP.21 drew closer, and to highlight EU support including through Clima East.

“I think main reason for the successful results of the Clima East Policy Project is that each implemented action is followed by the next follow-up action. For example, after providing significant support to INDC development process, the Project has supported NDC implementation process successfully.” Emin Garabagly, Head of International Division, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azerbaijan

Supporting compliance and technical analysis for (I)NDCs and maximising ambition for the new Agreement By October 2015, each Party to the UNFCCC was required to submit its ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contribution’ (INDC), to serve as the basis for the negotiations on the new global agreement later that year. These documents pledged target limits on emissions across the economy, based on sector by sector emissions projections. On request by partner governments, Clima East experts undertook specialist analyses of emissions scenarios and proposed INDC targets for selected sectors in five of the six Partner Countries, in coordination with government action and other donor support. Through support to negotiator team preparations, building awareness across sectors, and through expert review of pledges and contributions, Clima East support helped Partner Countries not only to submit their INDCs by the deadline but also, in the case of two countries, to increase the level of ambition in terms of targeted emissions caps.

Implementing the Paris Agreement As attention shifted from preparation and negotiation to getting ready for implementing the outcomes of the Paris COP, Clima East has continued to provide tailored support: • Through a series of national governmental workshops bringing together key ministries and agencies, Clima East has provided expert consultancy and support to coordination and roll out of the Agreement’s provisions at national level. • Building on these discussions, the Project has supported specific next steps such as, in Belarus and Azerbaijan, providing assistance in analysing necessary legislative steps towards implementation of Paris Agreement requirements in national policy. • The Clima East team have also integrated the technical requirements that have emerged from the Paris Agreement into on-going technical support, such as ensuring that new aspects of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) rules are captured in wider MRV guidance.

“The Clima East project provided significant support in the preparation of the first version of the Belarus INDC through a special project arranged in the framework of the Expert Facility. As a result of the collaboration between Clima East consultants, government bodies and NGOs, the Belarus INDC now contains the required quantitative and qualitative information.” Mr Sergey Zavyalov, Head of the Department for Regulation of Impacts on Air and Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Belarus

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Working regionally: joint actions and lessons shared A core objective of the Clima East Policy Project was to engender improved climate change policies, strategies and economic instruments in the partner countries and align climate action to EU and international agreements and best practice. While later sections in this report highlight activities and outcomes in each Partner Country, regional cooperation and activity has been a crucial tool for achieving concrete results. Clima East has promoted regional collaboration and information exchange between the Partner Countries and the EU through a variety of initiatives. These include: regional training workshops and study tours to support peer to peer learning, and build capacity of specialist groups efficiently and effectively; supporting joint actions between countries that have emerged through dialogue facilitated by Clima East, and facilitating transfer and adaptation of successful modalities of support in one Partner Country to address the same issue within another country. For example, approaches applied to the development of a

national strategy for adaptation in agriculture to the effects of climate change in Belarus have been taken up by stakeholders and project experts to provide similar support in Ukraine. The regional nature of the Project has been utilised to ensure the cross fertilisation of results, capitalise on demonstration effects, and build links between complimentary national initiatives or joint actions between two or more countries.

Clima East regional results: Some quick facts • 27 specialists trained across the region in advanced emissions modelling and vulnerability assessment techniques • EaP regional dialogue on climate action supported • Key EU MRV principles and approaches shared with community of practice in Partner Countries • Lessons from national level sectoral activities shared with peers in other Partner Countries

“… the Clima East project is one of the most successful examples of cooperation among the entire range of stakeholders in the Eastern Partnership region aimed towards mitigation of anthropogenic impacts on climate and adaptation to the effects of climate change: highly qualified experts from the EU and representatives of government bodies…were able to achieve significant results” Nastassia Bekish, Coordinator of the regional NGO network “Climate Action Network Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia”

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“(The biggest) advantage of the Project was opportunity to see and use effective best practices of regional countries. Regional trainings on vulnerability modelling tools help our experts to share experience with Georgian colleagues and test together (the) new modelling tool. I hope we will have chance to see further such types of regional project in the coming future! ” Gulmali Suleymanov, Director of Climate Change and Ozone Center, Azerbaijan


Some examples of benefits obtained through Clima East regional cooperation: Dialogue and information exchange

Supporting joint action on common challenges

Throughout its lifetime, the Clima East Policy Project has provided regular primer events on latest developments for UNFCCC negotiator teams from the Partner Countries and opportunities for dialogue between these teams and EU specialists on emerging issues. Covered in more detail in the previous section, these events not only ensured a shared understanding among the parties of the key topics but allowed for an exploration of each country’s priorities and for the possibility of coordinating approaches at the negotiations themselves. The workshops were located when appropriate within the EU Member States holding the EU Presidency, to allow for even deeper interaction and dialogue among the EaP partners. To complement these events, Clima East also provided information and briefings to regional civil society networks on the processes and developments related to the preparations for COP.21.

The Project supported specific concrete cross-border initiatives to address challenges of a common or regional nature, for example:

Project communications, including the project website, newsletters and sectoral events, provided further platforms to share experiences and hear about activities carried out by other partners.

• Authorities in Azerbaijan and Georgia developed a joint initiative with Clima East support to work together to develop local capacity in scientific assessment of vulnerabilities of different landscapes and sectors to climate change impacts. National specialists from both countries were provided with information by Clima East experts on the various modelling tools that exist, and their strengths and weakness in relation to their common geographic context and climate challenges and, having selected a preferred tool, undertook joint training in its use, using real data and examples from the region. • CSOs and relevant authorities in Armenia and Georgia worked together with Clima East experts to build understanding of Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) techniques and identify opportunities to integrate CSA approaches into their respective national agricultural strategies and contexts.

Specialists learning together Clima East also held a variety of regional training events targeted at groups of specialists to provide state of the art know how and technical skills development. Joint training was not only cost-efficient, but allowed specialists from across the regions to compare and share the challenges encountered and solutions found, and discuss how to translate EU experience appropriately for national needs in the EaP region. This regional support included capacity building for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) specialists tasked with building their countries’ capacity to collect and report high quality emissions data in line with international requirements. Clima East organised a regional study tour in Germany and Poland in September 2014, to view how the system operates in each country and the implications of EU rules and requirements. This was followed up by training sessions in Kiev in July 2015 to further build the capacity of specialists to arrange effective systems of monitoring with energy and industrial installations, and understand key issues to consider in preparing the institutional and regulatory framework for improved MRV. These events built relationships between peers across the region and laid the groundwork for later specific tailored support on MRV at national level, such as Moldova’s and Ukraine’s commitment for the establishment of an EU Emissions Trading System derived MRV system in compliance with the respective Association Agreement requirements. Clima East also provided training at regional level to enhance capacities to model emissions and climate impacts, using relevant current tools and technologies. For example, in 2014 specialists from all EaP Partner Countries came together with colleagues from the EU’s Neighbourhood South region to receive expert training on the use of the LEAP emissions modelling tool, and were provided with national data starter packs to begin relevant assessments, used in some cases immediately in the development of national INDCs.

Demonstrating and replicating success The Clima East Policy Project has capitalised on the opportunities provided within the Programme to share experiences in addressing tasks in one Partner Country with others in the region, recognising that solutions developed by one regional partner may have clear relevance for neighbouring countries. For example, leveraging experience from support provided in Belarus to build the evidence base and content for a National Strategy for Adaptation in Agriculture, Clima East was able to respond effectively to interest in similar support in Ukraine and facilitate shared learning through the public closing workshop in Minsk in April 2017. At the workshop, support provided by Clima East and the progress made towards a National Strategy were presented to national stakeholders, including civil society and farmers, and to specialists engaged in similar planning in Ukraine. In a further example, the capacity building support for vulnerability assessment provided to Azerbaijan and Georgia informed approaches to similar support in Armenia, for instance by applying the lessons from the earlier work which had shown the benefits of using real data during the running of scenarios on the selected modelling tool, thereby not only building national capacity but also providing practical assessments for immediate use in climate adaptation measures.

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ARMENIA Clima East has supported Armenia in climate action through core cooperation with the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia (MNP) and systematic collaboration with stakeholder ministries, agencies, civil society organisations and national experts and other key donors (in particular UNDP). The Policy Project has helped prepare national negotiators for the Conferences of the Parties to the UNFCCC, and has made a substantial contribution towards progress in climate change adaptation, vulnerability assessment, climate smart agriculture techniques and, most recently, in the interpretation and understanding of the implications and opportunities of the Paris Agreement for Armenia.

Clima East results: Some quick facts • Following institutional strengthening support through Clima East, the Environmental Project Implementation Unit (EPIU) within MNP was accredited by the Adaptation Fund Board as National Implementing Entity, allowing Armenia direct access to this major source of adaptation funding • Expert recommendations for NAP development are now under review for next steps by government, with the NAP roadmap presented and discussed among 70 national stakeholders • A gap analysis for the introduction of Climate Smart Agriculture techniques was carried out with reference to the Republic of Armenia’s ‘Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural Development for 20102020’ and discussed with more than 20 national stakeholders and submitted to the MNP • National capacity has been built for assessing vulnerability of Armenia’s agriculture to climate change, with key specialists trained in using the selected model for assessing current and future climate impacts on crop yields. Having already utilised real data to run analyses, the results can be used for high level planning and for adaptation initiatives for the region

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A quick look at Clima East activities and results in Armenia: INDC preparation, Paris Agreement implementation Clima East provided assistance to Armenia in determining its INDC through expert analysis on emissions scenarios and projections for certain sectors, selected in coordination with MNP and other donors. The event “What’s next for Armenia: working together after the entry into force of the Paris Climate Agreement” was organised jointly by the MNP and Clima East Project. Held as an Extended Session of the UNFCCC Inter-Agency Council, the meeting aimed to promote dialogue and exchange of information between national stakeholders, drawing upon international experience, to support the aims of the Government of the Republic of Armenia in implementing the Paris Climate Agreement. Bringing together some 100 participants, the event included representatives of 18 stakeholder ministries and other government bodies, as well as stakeholder international organisations and projects/initiatives, NGOs, the private sector as well as national and international experts.

Support to adaptation to the effects of Climate Change on Armenia The Project supported a needs analysis with the aim of helping Armenia to make its first steps towards the elaboration of its National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Recommendations were provided to Armenia on how to overcome identified gaps and hurdles, and a Roadmap developed for the NAP-process in accordance with the NAP-guidelines. The support provided a proposed NAP structure and the potential main elements for the National Adaptation Plan of Armenia. To build upon the recommendations provided in this well received report, a workshop was held in August 2016 to present and discuss the NAP Roadmap with national stakeholders to pave the way for further steps in the development of the NAP. At sectoral level, during 2016 a wide group of national stakeholders engaged in agriculture, including civil society and farmers themselves, received training on climate smart agriculture (CSA) techniques, which aim to adapt agriculture to climate change

“On behalf of the senior staff of “Armstatehydromet” I would like to thank the Clima East Project for organising the trainings [on the Aquacrop model]. In my view it will serve as one of the most substantial tools for assessing climate change vulnerability in Armenia.”

and minimise emissions while maintaining or increasing the economic returns. As part of the same support, Clima East provided a review of the Republic of Armenia’s Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural Development for 2010-2020 from the perspective of CSA identifying opportunities to include such approaches within the Strategy.

Gaining access to climate finance Clima East assisted the Environmental Project Implementation Unit (EPIU) within MNP to improve its financial, organisational and managerial capacities to meet the standard required to achieve accreditation as National Implementing Entity (NIE) by the Adaptation Fund, and enable Armenia to gain direct access to the funds available. The EPIU was accredited by the Adaptation Fund Board on November 4, 2016, as the Fund’s 25th NIE across the globe. Through this, Armenia became first EaP country to achieve direct access under the Adaptation Fund, creating opportunities to develop and obtain funding for concrete adaptation and resilience initiatives for its most climate-vulnerable communities.

Vulnerability and impact assessment for adaptation planning Following support from Clima East in identifying an appropriate model for Armenia’s needs, national experts and representatives from 3 key ministries in the field, Armenia’s Ministry of Nature Protection, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Emergency Situations (Armstatehydromet) and Ministry of Agriculture, were trained in climate change vulnerability assessment for crops, using the agricultural sector model AquaCrop. The series of workshops and trainings worked with real country input data instead of the dummy training data usually used to get acquainted with the modelling software. Assessments were made and are available for three crops from three regions: potato (Gavar), wheat (Ashtarak) and barley (Talin), and capacity built for further assessments to inform Armenia’s planning in the future.

“The (NAP Roadmap) report will be used in the process of NAP preparation that Ministry of Nature Protection is planning to submit to the Government” Mr Aram Gabrielyan, UNFCCC National Focal Point for Armenia

Ms. Zaruhi Petrosyan, Director of Center for Applied Hydrometeorology and Ecology, “Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Service” SNCO, Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia

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AZERBAIJAN In Azerbaijan, the Clima East Policy Project has provided support to national stakeholders in formulation of national climate change strategy, structuring engagement in climate change negotiations, mainly in relation to the Paris Agreement, as well as for preparation of Azerbaijan’s INDC. In parallel, the Project provided a significant contribution to building the capacity of national stakeholders on key climate change priority topics, including greenhouse gas inventorisation and vulnerability assessment.

Clima East results: Some quick facts • Azerbaijan was supported in submitting its INDC to the global climate agreement under the UNFCCC at the Paris COP, including detailed expert review of sectoral emissions projections • Over 10 key national stakeholders organisations affected by climate change issues in Azerbaijan have been supported by Clima East to actively engage in the climate change policy formulation processes and improve their understanding and capacities on related topics • New tools for vulnerability assessment and practices for better adaptation planning have been introduced in Azerbaijan, based on appropriate advice and consultation on locally appropriate systems and options. Five local specialists are now trained and using a variety of new modelling, monitoring and vulnerability assessment techniques to support better policy and planning • Key gaps in Azerbaijan’s LULUCF inventory have been identified and recommendations provided on steps to improve local stakeholders’ capacities in this area of reporting, by application of modern inventory techniques

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Some examples of how Clima East has helped:

Support for the elaboration of INDC submission The Project has supported the coordination work of Azerbaijan’s INDC Working Group that was formed from representatives of all relevant national stakeholders involved in climate change issues in the country. Clima East organised 5 thematic and sectoral workshops to understand and discuss specific aspects of the INDC requirements in detail, and provided on-going consultancy and advice from the Key Expert team on general compliance and areas for development of the INDC document.

Capacity building on GHG inventory tools The Project has provided support to national stakeholders to assess the current greenhouse gas inventory system focusing on the specific category or Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF). The work identified key gaps in current processes and opportunities to improve this challenging aspect of the inventory system.

The Project also provided an expert review of emissions projections and scenarios in the fields of industrial processes, urban planning and reforestation of degraded land. Following COP.21, the Project has continued to support the Azerbaijani authorities in assessing next steps to implement the Paris Agreement in consultation with national stakeholders. As a result, an action plan for NDC implementation has already been drafted and agreed among key involved stakeholders.

Engagement in UNFCCC COP Negotiations During the past three years the Clima East Policy Project has provided regular consultations and support during the COP negotiation process. Through expert workshops, provision of consultancy and support to dialogue at regional level and with the EU, it has helped the Government of Azerbaijan to formulate its key priorities for negotiations.

Vulnerability and impact assessment for adaptation planning Clima East assisted Azerbaijan in selecting and adopting a relevant model for assessing the vulnerability of the country’s water resources and agriculture to the effects of climate change, in dialogue with peer experts and officials in Georgia tackling similar assessments. Clima East then provided assistance in adopting the system and training specialists in its use.

“(The) Key contribution of the Clima East Policy Project was support in formulation of climate change strategy of the country during climate change negotiation process, especially during preparation of INDC through timely and well-designed interventions using different tools, such as expert facility and consultation during INDC preparation process. Close collaboration between project team and relevant national stakeholders lead to successful outputs.”

“The Project created good basis for sectoral consultations at country level by involving all relevant stakeholders to the process, including governmental, non-governmental and private sector actors.” Maharram Mehtiyev, Head of Science and Technology Unit, Environmental Division, SOCAR

Issa Aliyev, UNFCCC Focal Point

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BELARUS Over the last four years, the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (MNREP) and other ministries, agencies and civil society organisations have been supported by Clima East in developing a strong and focused approach to tackling climate change. Core themes of the collaboration have been: preparing for and implementing the results of the December 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference; engaging a wider range of governmental and civil society organisations in the response to climate change; and promoting exchange of experience with the EU and international partners in the region.

Clima East results: Some quick facts • Belarus supported in submitting a more broad based contribution (INDC) to the global climate agreement under the UNFCCC at the Paris COP • Over 200 people from more than 20 ministries, agencies and other organisations reached directly through activities and outreach, plus the wider public through press coverage • Better evidence and improved planning processes for sectoral adaptation in Agriculture • Belarusian specialists trained in a variety of new modelling, monitoring and vulnerability assessment techniques to support better policy and planning • Key information gaps plugged for effective MRV – enabling better information and enhanced accountability on emissions reduction

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How has Clima East helped? A selection of activities and results: Preparing for and implementing the Paris Agreement

Support for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

MNREP has drawn on support from Clima East in preparing for the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference by formulating its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) approach. The Project provided advice on sectoral mitigation target setting, the broadening of the scope of activities and increasing ambition in line with national development goals; upon entry into force for the Paris Agreement the Project focused on support for Belarus implementing its climate change commitments.

A study of major greenhouse gas emitters was carried out by Belarusian and international experts in 2015 with Clima East support. It generated essential data and provided a framework for planning the monitoring and reporting of emissions.

The implications of the Paris Agreement for energy, industry, transport, agriculture, waste and the building sector were discussed at a two-day round table supported by Clima East in Minsk in November 2016. Organised in conjunction with the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Climate Change, the event provided information and analysis for government bodies, civil society and the public on progress at the inter-governmental level in implementing the results of the Paris Agreement.

Designing a fit for purpose MRV system and meeting international reporting requirements on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was the focus of a specialist Clima East supported workshop in Minsk in July 2016. This helped to provide the groundwork for the improvement of the Belarusian system of MRV for GHG and other air pollutants. The design of enhanced MRV systems will be further supported by the results of Clima East expert assistance that builds on the above activities and EU know-how to provide recommendations on improvements.

Mainstreaming climate issues

Capacity Building, Emission modelling and Vulnerability assessment

Adapting agriculture to meet the challenge of climate change is a crucial issue for Belarus. In 2015 and 2016, MNREP and the Ministry of Agriculture developed the “National Strategy Concept on Agriculture and Climate Change” with assistance from Clima East.

Clima East provided support for the design and implementation of research by Belarusian and international specialists into climate change vulnerability, zoning and for surveying practical experience of adaptation in different parts of the Republic.

Government and civil society representatives worked with counterparts from the EU and neighbouring countries in Clima East supported seminars in Latvia, Moldova, Slovakia and Ukraine in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The Project’s Help Desk facility has provided on-going expert advice and support, helping to address a wide range of specific technical and regulatory issues and to build capacity in key partner organisations in the country.

National outreach events were supported throughout the project lifetime, bringing the challenges and planned actions in the fight against climate change to a broad cross section of government ministries and agencies, and to the wider public.

“The Clima East project provided significant support in the preparation of the first version of the Belarus Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). through a special project arranged in the framework of the Expert Facility. As a result of the collaboration between Clima East consultants, government bodies and NGOs, the Belarus INDC now contains the required quantitative and qualitative information.”

“For us, the Clima East project is one of the most successful examples of co-operation among the entire range of stakeholders in the Eastern Partnership region aimed towards mitigation of the man-made impacts on climate and adaptation to the effects of climate change. Transparency of the project activities and strong engagement with NGOs also make Clima East an example of successful and effective cooperation between the EU and Belarus.”

Sergey V. Zavyalov, Head of the Department for Regulation of Impacts on Air and Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Nastassia Bekish, co-coordinator of the regional NGO network “Climate Action Network Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia”

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GEORGIA Clima East support to the Georgian Government, including the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection (MENRP) and relevant Ministries, as well as other agencies and CSOs has assisted progress in addressing a range of challenges. Expertise was provided to support preparation for international climate negotiations and the integration of UNFCCC requirements and COP decisions into national policy and strategy. Clima East has furthermore assisted Georgia in implementing commitments under its Association Agreement with the EU, developing aspects of the countries national low emission development strategy (LEDS), and building capacity in climate change adaptation and vulnerability assessment, through technical assistance and opportunities to exchange experience with the EU and international partners in the region.

Clima East results: Some quick facts • Better evidence and improved capacity for sectoral planning in place for industry, forestry, water and agriculture. Tangible results already secured include projections for water resources in the River Kura and reforestation decisions for Dedoplistskaro region • Four Georgian specialists trained in a new modelling tool for vulnerability assessment of water resources, who are now able to support national planning and strategies such as the NAP. More than 20 agriculture specialists trained in CSA techniques and measures • Enhanced understanding between key stakeholders in government and industry, and improved capacity for MRV for the Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) sector, enabling greater accountability and better reporting of GHG emissions from the sector, for instance for the forthcoming Second Biennial Update Report to UNFCCC • Roadmaps provided for Georgia’s approximation to EU legislation in F-gases (fluorinated gases) and ozone depleting substances (ODS) under the Association Agreement with the EU • Through successful public and governmental outreach, over 300 people from more than 15 ministries, agencies, other organisations and the general public have been reached directly through Clima East activities, and helped to understand what climate change means for them. Extensive media coverage has also brought these issues to the wider public

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What are some of the ways in which Clima East provided support? Preparing for and implementing the Paris Agreement In addition to support in understanding issues and preparing for UNFCCC negotiations, MENRP was supported by Clima East in organising a stakeholders’ consultation meeting to discuss its draft Intended National Determined Contribution (INDC), in cooperation with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH). The event provided space for discussion around the broadening of the scope of activities and increasing ambition in line with national development goals before the Government submitted the final INDC to the UNFCCC for consideration at the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference.

Mainstreaming climate issues Adapting agriculture to meet the challenge of climate change is a crucial issue for Georgia. MENRP and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), working with the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network, were supported by Clima East experts in integrating Clima Smart Agriculture approaches within the National Agriculture Development Strategy for 2017-2020. Local MoA staff were trained in CSA techniques and EU best practices.

Vulnerability and Adaptation Georgia lacked access to and capacity in using models to project climate change impacts and assess areas of vulnerability across the country. Clima East assisted Georgia in selecting the most relevant model for the country’s needs in relation to assessment of water and agriculture, installing the system and training specialists in its use, using real data for River Kura (Mtkvari). The upcoming Fourth National Communication will benefit from this enhanced capacity to assess vulnerability of water resources, and results can also be used to elaborate Georgia’s National Adaptation Plan. Climate change is intensifying land degradation through processes such as water- and wind-erosion, salinisation and desertification. Afforestation is one of the ways in which degraded lands can be rehabilitated, yielding both adaptation and mitigation benefits. Clima East experts explored three types of land degradation in a pilot area in Dedoplistskaro district, identify optimal species of plants and estimate potential carbon sinks through afforestation.

Georgia’s LEDS, to be developed by September 2017, will form a framework for climate change mitigation actions in the country in all sectors of economy. Clima East provided expert assistance in elaboration of mitigation actions in the Industrial Processes sector, and preparation of the corresponding chapter in the LEDS.

Support for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Building on regional capacity development support provided for MRV specialists through Clima East, the Policy Project also held training on MRV for the industrial processes and product use (IPPU) sector in March 2017, gathering together representatives of industries, governmental ministries and agencies, as well as individual specialists.

“[We are] using the results of the [Clima East] technical assistance and the recommendations on optimal species for each type of degraded lands for implementation of rehabilitation measures in Dedoplistskaro area and replication of the experience on other areas of Georgia with similar problems. The recommended species are already being planted in Kakheti region and the similar works are planned in the project activity area, controlled by the NFA, next year.”

“The development of the guidance and recommendations about the legal system establishment on F-gases has advanced the national procedures related to the adoption of new national legislation on measuring and reporting on F-gases. Furthermore the workshop on MRV system in the IPPU sector, that included F-gases too, has played the role of fostering climate related communication between MENRP of Georgia and biggest industries in Georgia.”

Head of the Forest management division of the National Forestry Agency (NFA)

Kakhaber Mdivani, Chief Specialist, Climate Change Division at the Integrated Management of Environment Department, MENRP

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MOLDOVA The Ministry of Environment of Moldova (MoE) and other ministries, agencies and civil society organisations have been supported by Clima East in a number of key strategic areas of climate policy. Core themes of the collaboration have been: preparing for and implementing the results of the December 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference; supporting the implementation by Moldova of climate change related commitments in its Association Agreement with the European Union; and promoting exchange of experience with the EU and international partners in the region.

Clima East results: Some quick facts • Moldova is now using clear guidance on legislative and organisational changes provided by Clima East to proceed with approximation of national legislation to the EU Directives listed in Annex XII (Chapter 17, Climate Actions) of the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union • Clima East analysis enabled Moldova to identify opportunities to increase the level of ambition of its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the global climate agreement under the UNFCCC at the Paris COP • The engagement of key ministries and agencies such as Ministries of Economy and Transport and Roads Infrastructure, the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), and the National Institute of Standardisation in implementation of Moldova’s climate related policy and commitments alongside the Ministry of Environment has been enhanced through the cross-government support provided • Civil society organisations were supported to understand and get involved with the crucial policy processes underway during the project period

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How has Clima East supported Moldova? Some examples: Preparing for and implementing the Paris Agreement In addition to providing support for Moldovan expert officials to prepare for UNFCCC negotiations, through a range of training and dialogue events with international colleagues, Clima East provided expert guidance in finalisation of Moldova’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), linking it to the Climate Change Chapter of the Association Agreement, and securing commitments to increase ambition levels over early versions.

Mainstreaming climate issues Throughout the Project, Clima East raised awareness of climate action among a range of government bodies, including those that had had more limited engagement to that point. Support helped sectoral ministries and bodies to understand better the main issues around and approaches to mitigation and adaptation and, importantly, the connection of these issues with their respective sector. For some sectors support particularly focused on mitigation aspects (e.g. energy and related sectors), while for others understanding of adaptation approaches was prioritised (e.g. agriculture). National outreach events were supported throughout the project lifetime, bringing the challenges and planned actions in the fight against climate change to a broad cross section of government ministries and agencies, civil society organisations and to the wider public.

Support for Implementation of the Climate Change Chapter of the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union Clima East experts provided written guidance, consultation and workshops to develop roadmaps for Moldova to respond to key commitments under the Association Agreement, including • Implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in the Republic of Moldova • Implementation of the Fuel Quality Directive in the Republic of Moldova • Approximation of Moldovan law on Fluorinated gases (F-gases) to the EU law • Approximation of Moldovan law on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) to the EU law • Establishment of Competent Authority under ETS for relevant Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) requirements.

Capacity building The Project’s Help Desk facility has provided on-going expert advice and support, helping to address a wide range of specific technical and regulatory questions for the Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders. A questionnaire was elaborated with the support of Clima East experts for identifying installations subject to the EU ETS Directive and the Industrial Emissions Directive. Software was developed to be used by National Statistical Bureau for analysing questionnaires.

“Clima East project had a significant impact on the civil society organisations in Moldova. Clima East invited CSOs to different events organised in Moldova and CSOs have benefitted from being involved by:

‘We were extremely satisfied with the input from Clima East’s experts. We appreciate the reports and roadmaps outlining the steps that have to be taken in line with the timelines agreed with the EU in the Association Agreement.”

• Getting new information about Climate Change issues in Moldova and all around the world;

Maria Nagornii, Ministry of Environment, Moldova

• Lobbying climate change adaptation to be included in the Government programmes; • Lobbying for development of national informational and awareness raising programme on climate change and adaptation to climate change.” Ioana Bobina, President of Women for Environment and Sustainable Development Association

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UKRAINE The Clima East Policy Project has provided support to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine (MENR), the former State Environmental Investment Agency (which used to be in charge of climate change issues) as well as other government bodies, institutions and stakeholders in addressing climate change over the last four years. In particular, its assistance was focused in the following core areas of activity: preparation for the Paris Agreement, climate action mainstreaming, support for the development of an Emissions Trading System (ETS) and a Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system, including implementation of relevant provisions of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, and support for capacity building in modelling and vulnerability assessment.

Clima East results: Some quick facts • Around 300 people from eight ministries, agencies, the Parliament, other government and nongovernment organisations, academia and experts were reached directly through activities and outreach, plus the wider public through press coverage • Government decision making was supported on several key issues, including the preparation of a Ukraine’s INDC and the establishment of a Competent Authority for ETS • The quality of GHG inventory is enhanced in three key categories and a number of outstanding improvement requests of UNFCCC reviewers are addressed • Ukrainian Parliamentarians and their assistants are better equipped for implementation of Association Agreement provisions related to MRV and ETS • Sectoral ministries in transport, forestry and agriculture are equipped with analysis and recommendations, and enhanced capability to take forward specific climate change policy and action planning for their industries and stakeholders

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What sort of assistance has Clima East provided in Ukraine? Preparing for the Paris Agreement Clima East supported MENR in preparing for the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference by contributing to the development of its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), for example by providing analysis and justification for Ukraine’s mitigation efforts in the industrial sector and in Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF). The Policy Project helped to initiate the consultation process on Ukraine’s INDC by organising a workshop within a large environmental conference in April 2015. The workshop provided an understanding of the concept of bottom-up contributions to the new climate agreement, supporting stakeholder involvement in the INDC preparation process.

Support for the COP negotiators Ukrainian climate negotiators actively participated in regular COP Negotiator workshops with counterparts from the EU and neighbouring countries, and benefitted from the Clima East team’s analytical reports following each negotiation session in formulating Ukraine’s position and response.

Mainstreaming climate issues at sectoral and national strategic level

Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is preparing to develop the National Adaptation Strategy, covering all sectors where adaptation is needed. Clima East has supported the development of the concept of climate change adaptation policy in agriculture, which supports the work of both ministries in this area. Considering that the issue of climate change requires the coordinated and committed action of various government bodies, Ukraine needs to revise and improve its decision making system on strategic climate change issues, such as NDC preparation or ETS implementation. Upon a joint request from MENR, a Member of Parliament and a Civil Society Organisation, Clima East developed recommendations on the improvement of strategic decision making on climate change in Ukraine.

Capacity building, Emission modelling and Vulnerability assessment Clima East supported the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine in assessing vulnerability of Ukrainian flatland forests to climate change. Based on the IPCC climate change scenarios the researchers modelled impacts on the most common forest tree species and identified key vulnerabilities. In order to address climate change challenges in forestry Clima East experts proposed adaptation measures and policy recommendations on forest management.

With greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road vehicles already high and expected to increase with economic growth, Ukraine is considering how to address this issue in its transport policy. Clima East supported the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine with practical recommendations on CO2 emission reduction and energy saving policy in the road transport sector, based on EU and other countries’ experiences and taking into account the relevant policies and circumstances of Ukraine. Like other neighbouring counties, Ukraine faces a challenge of adapting agriculture to climate change. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food is addressing this challenge while, in parallel, the

“The results of (the) Clima East assignment enable us to significantly improve the quality of GHG emissions reporting in the transport sector. … Some issues were repeatedly raised for the last six years…now they will be finally resolved.” Mr Sergiy Shmarin, Chief Specialist, Budgetary Institution “National Center for GHG Emission Inventory”

“Ukraine is going through a challenging path of transformations in the complex issue of climate policy…Roundtables held by Clima East at the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada have been informative and useful…These events, designed for Ukrainian MPs and their consultants, representatives of CSOs, business, experts and other stakeholders in the law-making process, will enhance the quality and implementation of the new climate policy in Ukraine” Ms Vira Porieva, Lawyer, MP Assistant, Committee on Environmental Policy, Nature Resources Utilization and Elimination of the Consequences of Chornobyl Catastrophe

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Clima East: Support to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in ENP East Countries and Russia

Clima East Policy Project: selected results at a glance • Progress in major economy-wide climate policy and planning processes • Guidance and support in preparation of submissions for the new global climate agreement (the Paris Agreement) • Support for planning of cross-government implementation of the Paris Agreement • Progress in other flagship climate policies and strategy, for example in Armenia (National Adaptation Plan), Georgia (Low Emission Development Strategy) and Ukraine (recommendations on strategic decision making on climate change) • Better sectoral climate policies and improved capacity in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change modelling and reporting • Direct assistance provided across seven major sectors: energy, agriculture, forestry, transport, waste, construction and manufacturing • Stronger international engagement and partnerships • Enhanced capacity to engage with UNFCCC requirements • EU and Partner Country approaches for the Paris Agreement and its implementation shared and priorities discussed • Concrete collaborative projects undertaken by Partner Countries to tackle shared climate challenges • Implementation of key climate commitments under EU Association Agreements assisted • Wide participation by national stakeholders in climate debates and action • More than 40 national government bodies engaged • Over 50 organisations from civil society, academia, the private sector and local government take part in Clima East activities.

For more information on the Clima East Policy Project please contact [email protected] or visit the Clima East website at www.climaeast.eu

Disclaimer: This report has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

This project is implemented by a DAI Consortium

This project is funded b y the European Union