Measurement and Performance Tracking: International

Overview

The international component of MAPT seeks to ensure that developing countries’ capacity needs and development priorities shape the design of international rules on measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) under the UNFCCC. In parallel, this component builds the capacity of developing countries to implement UNFCCC rules into their domestic systems and seeks to foster learning across MAPT countries and other related initiatives.

The objective for the current phase of work includes the communication internationally of examples of developing countries’ national MRV systems (e.g. based on the scoping research conducted in 2011 by WRI and our partners). We will pursue this through targeted analysis and publications as well as participation in international conferences and initiatives related to MRV. These insights will help countries learn from each other’s experiences and support one another as they address capacity challenges. In addition, WRI intends to inform the design of outstanding international rules on MRV under the UNFCCC and begin the development of capacity building tools to help developing countries to implement such rules .

Scoping

In 2011 WRI worked with in-country partners to conduct a scoping exercise in each of the six MAPT countries. This included a combination of surveys with key stakeholders including government officials, workshops and desk-based research.

The scoping interviews explored actions that country Parties have submitted, or are planning to submit, to the UNFCCC. The questionnaire also asks Parties to detail their plans with regard to reporting of actions and accounting of emissions reductions associated with actions.

The results of the country surveys, as compiled by in-country partners, can be accessed here.

Outputs

Technical briefings and facilitated discussions on MRV design in the UNFCCC.
Workshops across MAPT countries to share best practices and lessons learned.

Background: Over the last 5 years, WRI research has aided in framing and informing the international debate on MRV. A WRI publication Growing in the Greenhouse: Protecting the Climate by Putting Development First (see link below) helped form the foundation of what negotiators later referred to as NAMAs (nationally appropriate mitigation actions) and their assessment (MRV). In addition, WRI played a critical role in informing provisions of the Bali Action Plan (2007), Copenhagen Accord (2009) and the Cancun Agreements (2010) that called for the “measurement, reporting and verification” of country actions and commitments. WRI has also released a number of working papers that helped countries understand the functions of an MRV system, which elements of the current reporting system should be improved, and what country positions were on MRV. Links to some of WRI’s MRV related publications are available below.

Contacts

For further information on this component contact Yamide Dagnet (YDagnet@wri.org).

Measurement and Performance Tracking: International

Overview

Scoping

Outputs

Contacts

Related Links