ZEW at UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice

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25.01.2019

ZEW experts discussed the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement at a COP24 — Discussants during the COP24 side event

The question of how to implement the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement was a primary concern at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24) in Katowice, Poland. It was also the focus of two side events organised by a team of researchers from the ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research together with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, the Washington-based World Resources Institute, the ifo Institute in Munich, and the University of Kassel, on 4 and 8 December 2018 at COP24.

The side event “Setting the Paris Agreement in motion: Key requirements for the implementing guidelines” shed light on the challenges and options for defining the modalities and procedures of the mechanisms and principles agreed in Paris.

Unit & Topics

Improving Reporting and Reviewing

Marcia Rocha and Jane Ellis from the OECD climate change expert group presented their analysis on the operationalisation of selected reporting and flexibility provisions in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Reporting is important to create a common understanding of progress towards the global climate goal. It can help to build up processes and capacities at the national level. When capacity limitations are faced, reporting may help to identify the specific support needed. Although reporting has improved significantly over time in terms of the scope, coverage and detail of the information provided, there are still considerable gaps in the reporting period. For example, 58 developing countries did not submit any national communication or biennial update report between January 2015 and October 2018. ZEW economist Claire Gavard, PhD presented a research project on compliance and transparency. After giving examples of negotiating points in defining modalities, procedures and guidelines for the operationalisation of these principles, she highlighted the challenges observed in previous submissions from countries within the UNFCC. The COMPLIANCE project, recently started at ZEW in cooperation with the universities of Mannheim, Kassel, and Heidelberg, will further investigate these issues. Finally, Yamide Dagnet from the World Resources Institute in Washington, D.C., discussed the review processes included in the Paris Agreement and how the global stocktake, together with the compliance mechanism and transparency framework, should support progress in international climate action.

Discussants Identify the Need for Precise Reporting Requirements

The presentations were followed by a discussion between the participants and Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, PhD from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Ghana and member of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) at COP24. In particular, the exchange stressed the need for more accurate information on what needs to be reported on adaptation. It also highlighted the challenges that reporting can pose to developing countries in terms of capacity building, including the development of a pool of competent experts.

Incentives for Compliance

During the side event “Monitoring, Reporting and Compliance (MRC) – A multi-stakeholder perspective”, moderated by Dr. Sebastian Voigt, deputy head of ZEW’s Research Department “Environmental and Resource Economics, Environmental Management”, experts discussed incentives for monitoring, reporting and compliance with international climate policy rules, while paying particular attention to the role of signatory states, companies, individuals and civil society in subsequent negotiations. ZEW economist Dr. Carlo Gallier provided insight on compliance in international cooperation. To this end, he presented results from economic experiments conducted with participants recruited from four major economies: China, Germany, India, and the US. Marcel Lumkowsky from the University of Kassel introduced findings from surveys among international researchers and policymakers regarding the success of previous and current climate agreements. The design of scenarios to evaluate climate-related financial risks was presented by Dr. Markus Zimmer from the ifo Institute in Munich, while Jennie Gleed from the Carbon Disclosure Project gave a presentation on the future of corporate reporting.

Productive Exchanges in Katowice

Both side events, organised by ZEW’s Environmental Research Department, were fruitful opportunities for a dialogue between negotiators, policy analysts and scientists on current and future research related to the implementation of the Paris agreement. It is a key aim to establish a common set of rules on climate protection, adaptation, and financing that is transparent, also in terms of review, monitoring, and reporting. On 16 December 2018, the parties agreed on the Paris rulebook, which includes implementation guidelines. These will come into effect from 2020 onwards.

Additional Information

Setting the Paris Agreement in Motion: Key Requirements for the Implementing Guidelines

08.12.2018 More about the event

Monitoring, Reporting and Compliance (MRC) – A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective

04.12.2018 More about the event

Contact

Scientific Contact

Claire Gavard, PhD

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Scientific Contact

Dr. Carlo Gallier

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