Thursday, 01 March 2012 17:17

Progress and plans of the EUROCLIMA components

 

Dialogue, Coordination and Communication Component:

The EUROCLIMA programme, through EuropeAid´s Regional Programmes Unit, Latin America and Caribbean, in coordination with the Technical Assistance has brought together the Focal Points and their representatives from the entire region in two occasions in 2011.

These meetings have served to define key issues of the programme, such as the objectives and expected products from six short thematic studies aimed at providing the climate change offices in Latin America with tools, guides and inventories for political decision-making.

The studies are aimed at analysing climate change in relation to its impact on coastal areas, the impact on the quality of land, agricultural planning based on prediction of extreme events, indicators for planning and monitoring adaptation initiatives, adaptation at the level of river basins, and finally the subject of NAMAs for urban areas. The results are expected to be published midway through this year.

At the same time virtual courses are being prepared on strategic planning of political advocacy and on financial instruments for mitigation and adaptation. A meeting is expected with the Focal Points in May in Honduras to define the actions under the programme and to participate in the first Regional Latin-American Dialogue on Climate Change Finance.

This event is being organised by the Government of Honduras, with financial support from the EUROCLIMA programme and other international donors. The next three issues of the Newsletter of the programme will deal with the following subjects: the economy of climate change in LA; soils and climate change in LA; and financing and climate change in LA.

Foto SatelitalBiophysical Sciences Component:

Within the framework of this component, implemented by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), research has been carried out on climate change and natural resources in Latin America: water, soils, bio-energy, drought and desertification and agriculture.

Databases have been improved in partnership with scientists and political decision-makers from the countries participating in the programme and information-exchange networks have been launched or enhanced. Also, software has been developed to store data and interpret various climate phenomena, and to provide growth simulations for various crops under different climate scenarios.

At the same time, training has been provided in the subjects indicated. Work is being carried out together with the appropriate institutions in Latin America on a Soil Atlas for the region. Its publication is planned for the end of 2012.

The 2012 Calendar is an example of this group’s work (http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/Awareness/calendar2012.html). The previous issue of this e-Newsletter outlined the progress made on the subject of water (http://www.euroclima.org/newsletter2), and explained the coordination with respect to the RALCEA programme of EuropeAid (http://www.aquaknow.net).

Workshops have been planned starting in May and carrying on until October to present the results of the various researches organised by JRC-EUROCLIMA, in some cases including training in the handling of data and specialized software. Participation in Río+20 is foreseen, and research results will be presented in various scientific articles and conferences.

Componente Ciencias SocioeconomicasSocio-economic Sciences Component:

ECLAC is the institution responsible for this component. In 2011 it organised three intensive training courses for government representatives and members of the Climate Change Network (RSCC). Participants acquired knowledge on the methodology and tools needed for the quantitative analysis of the impact of climate change, with the aim of improving their decision-making and moving towards sustainable economic growth with social inclusion in the region.

Three detailed studies were completed on subjects related to climate change in the region: greenhouse-gas emissions; quantitative tools for analysing socio-economic impact; and the impact on poverty and income distribution.

After final revision they will be distributed in May. Work on five other studies related to climate change has begun. They cover the following areas: employment; the socio-economic impact on LA of policies adopted in developed countries; low-carbon growth; adaptation strategies according to income strata; and mitigation linked to socio-economic groups and compensation measures. The results will be available from August and September this year.

The Climate Change Network was launched in February 2012. It brings together experts and stakeholders from the three sectors of society (government, business and civil society) who are committed to the development of climate-compatible socioeconomic systems.

 

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