A project of the Climate Change Knowledge Network

Project Summary

Since the first international negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), talks have become progressively more complex for all parties-but particularly so for those from developing countries. During recent negotiations, several African delegates identified to IISD and ENDA-Energie a need to build capacity on climate change issues, targeted at African negotiators and tailored to the international climate change process.

In response IISD and ENDA-Energie worked with delegates to create the Climate Change Capacity Project-Africa. A key element of this project was an intensive workshop on negotiating skills which was held in Dakar, Senegal from 17-22 July 2000.

An effective agreement to combat climate change, or any other global environmental problem, cannot be reached until all parties participate fully in the process and understand the implications of the agreement. But the barriers facing African delegations often cause them to negotiate the issues in isolation, weakening their positions and slowing the overall process. Capacity building to enhance their negotiation skills and command of the issues will help African delegates make more informed decisions and make future climate change negotiations more successful.

The climate change project had the following objectives:

• Strengthen the background of African national negotiators in international law as well as increase their capacity in negotiating skill and theory-all within the context of the FCCC.
• Strengthen the knowledge and information base of African national negotiators on climate change and development, focusing on the implications for Africa of various scenarios, with a view to making informed decisions.
• Enhance the capacity of African national negotiators to anticipate and prepare for potential conflicts and opportunities, and appreciate the implications of decision choices to make effective interventions and decisions.
• Facilitate (by providing a forum) the capacity of African national negotiators to work together to strengthen the cohesiveness and effectiveness of the African group, in the context of the FCCC.

These four objectives were addressed in the workshop and during roundtable meetings held at the same time as the meetings of the FCCC. Participants were recommended by the current chair of the African group and the African member of the FCCC bureau, ensuring broad geographical representation. The roundtable meetings were organized under the guidance of the chair of the African group and were open to all African delegations.

A similar workshop was held for negotiators in the Latin American and the Caribbean region July 24-27, 2000. The workshop, also a project of the Climate Change Knowledge Network, was organized by the Center for Sustainable Development in the Americas with collaboration from the Institute for Environmental Studies. http://www.csdanet.org/English/miami/negotiationreport.html

As well, On Behalf of My Delegation: A Survival Guide for Developing Country Climate Negotiators was co-published in 2000 by IISD and CSDA

The Climate Change Capacity Project in Africa was funded by the Government of Norway through the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

For more information about this project, please contact:

John Drexhage
Director, Climate Change and Energy
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Ottawa Office
250 Albert St., Suite 1360
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1P 6M1
T: 613-238-9820
F: 613-238-8515
E-mail: jdrexhage@iisd.ca

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