Territorial Approach to Climate Change

Regions: a solution to climate change

A global partnership between the

United Nations and Sub-national authorities

United Nations Environment Programme - UNEP

Established in 1972 as the voice of the environment within the UN system

Promotes environmental science and information

Fosters environmental policies and legislation

Promotes global collaboration on environmental issues

Promotes coherent implementation of environmental dimensions in sustainable development

UNEP’s Climate Change Strategy

Strenghten the ability of countries to integrate climate change responses into national development processes

UNEPs Climate Change strategy acknowledges the role of subnational governments as key to finding solutions

UNEP’s climate change thematic areas of work

Theme 1: AdaptationAdapting by building resilience to a changing climate;

Theme 2: MitigationFacilitating a transition towards low carbon societies;

Theme 3: ScienceImproving understading of climate change science;

Theme 4: CommunicationCommunicating and raising awareness.

TACC Background

TACC as a global action came into existence with the recognition by sub-national authorities that urgent and collective action was needed to be

taken to respond appropriately to climate change

- Saint Malo Declaration, October 2008

TACC is a UN partnership - UNDP, UNEP, UNITAR, UN-Habitat, with Associations of Regions - nrg4SD, Climate Group, FOGAR, CPMR, AIRF, ARE, OLAGI and Northern Forum

TACC focuses on the level of governance covering territories below the national level - depending on the governance structure, these include, states, provinces, local authorities, cities - usually referred to as ‘regions’ or ‘local governments’

TACC Overall Objective

Increased resilience to Climate Change impacts and

reduced carbon footprint in regions

in developing countries and

countries with economies in transition

achieved through Awareness Raising and Capacity Building and development of Integrated Territorial

Climate Plans

Led by UNEP Led by UNDP

5 Years

Phases and Institutional framework

Led by UNDP

TACC objectives

Strengthened information and knowledge base within

participating regions on climate change science and

vulnerability

Enhanced institutional capacity of sub-national authorities to

develop and design tools, strategies and action plans

Augmenting cooperation, networking and exchange of

knowledge and expertise between sub-national authorities

TACC Phase I Objectives

Compendium of climate change related needs and best

practices by regions

Training material and tools for use by sub-national authorities

Awareness raising and training workshops covering 500 sub-

national authorities

Interactive web-based support facility

South-South and South-North networks cooperating and

exchanging knowledge

Phase I Outputs

In the first year (2009-2010), the target is to organize at least 4 workshops, one each in Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe, for at least 75 sub-national authorities.

In Europe, the first workshop will be held in Tirana, Albania, from 23rd to 25th June 2010.

Phase I Workshops - target

Phase I Workshops – awareness raising and training

Based on needs assessment surveys, taking into account ecosystems and ecological zones, sub-national authorities are informed of:

The international climate change policy framework and its implications for national, sub-national and local level action;

General causes and effects of climate change and how to access sources of credible scientific information;

Objectives, benefits and methods of developing an Integrated Territorial Climate Plan within a coherent multi-level governance framework;

Sources and mechanisms of financing available to support sub-national action on climate change;

Approaches and methods to foster sustained capacity development in the sub-national and local authorities, including human resource and skills development.

Phase I Workshops – training sessions

Peer review meeting organised in Geneva from 11th to 13th May 2010

Session 1: Introduction of the Territorial Dimension of Climate Change

Session 2: Climate Change Science, Causes and Impacts

Session 3: International Climate Change Policy Framework

Session 4: Adapting to Climate Change at the Territorial Level

Session 5: Mitigating Climate Change at the Territorial level

Session 6: TACC Methodology

Session 7: Financial Sources to Support Climate Change Action

Session 8: Strenghtening information exchange and taking action

Based on existing platforms, networks and resources, provide access to:

I. Project Information

II. Tools and methodologies

III. Good practices

IV. Sub-national Resource Center

V. Networking

VI. Partnership links

Phase I Web-based Portal

Working session to discuss the modalities of a web based portal was organized by UNEP in Barcelona 5 November 2009; attended by UNDP,

UNITAR, nrg4SD, the Climate Group

How TACC can help you

TACC helps sub-national authorities to:

Access and use up-to-date climate change science, information, tools and

good practices

Put in place a partnership and governance framework to address the

cross-sectoral nature of climate change.

Develop a climate profile* and draft a climate change strategy and action

plan to ensure a programmatic approach to climate change

*Assessment of present and future climate risks, adaptive capacity needs and energy service provision referred to in the IPCC scenarios and recommendations

Sharing expertise, knowledge and methodologies

Sharing good practices, lessons learnt for mitigation

and adaptation at the sub-national level

Participating in regional workshops

Joining Associations of Sub-national authorities

How you can support TACC

Thank you for your attention!