Abstract

This paper describes the results of a comprehensive regional survey of over 100 leading government, business, non-governmental and academic institutions in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines, carried out for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), on awareness of climate change issues, the clean development mechanism and capacity building needs. It was carried out in the context of developing countries facing critical sustainable development (economic, environmental and social) issues. Due to inadequate information, capacity building in relation to Kyoto Protocol and Clean Development Mechanisms had been relegated to a low level of priority, in the past. However, the survey process itself unearthed a major underlying demand for capacity building in this area. Though participation in CDM related activities is low, all the countries have indicated their willingness to participate and the need for additional capacity to do so. The survey indicated that there is a dearth of capacity in the following areas: i. Compiling GHG inventories, ii. Preparing vulnerability studies, iii. Screening and selecting adaptation strategies, iv. Implementing adaptation measures, v. Development of criteria for CDM projects, and vi. Certification of emission reduction. Joint implementation and emission trading were given a low priority due to lack of adequate capacity to address these issues. The target audiences for capacity building were recognised as middle and senior level decision makers and policy analyst in all three sectors i.e. government, industry and NGO's, in the survey. The most needed tools that were identified were stake holder dialogues, workshops, senior executive seminars, fact sheets and briefing packages, technical assistance and human resource development. Technology transfer and support for adaptation activities were also included as important tools in the survey. The creation of a single national entity to co-ordinate the review and approval of CDM projects was given the highest priority for capacity building linked to the Kyoto Protocol. Strengthening the national centres of excellence and regional co-ordination among centres of excellence were also considered as important factors along with establishing in country operating entities for monitoring, evaluation and certification of CDM projects and establishing in-country or regional capability to train local project developers in modern project finance techniques.