The international policy context for mitigation actions

Abstract

In order to provide a framework for the country case studies that follow, this review article outlines how the concept of nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) arose in the context of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations. The paper outlines how the NAMA concept is being developed internationally in order to juxtapose this with the country level, “bottom-up” understandings evident in the mitigation action country studies that follow. This article undertakes a review of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties decisions from Bali in 2007 to Doha in 2012 to trace the historical emergence of NAMAs, before analysing the increasing institutionalization of NAMAs using both primary and secondary sources. The review suggests that the still-nascent nature of NAMAs may provide a vehicle for developing countries to participate in the international mitigation effort – with the technical and financial support of developed countries, subject to the Convention's principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). The fact that there remains some lack of clarity on what constitutes a NAMA may represent an opportunity for developing countries to shape it to their benefit by providing thought-leadership and taking domestic action suitable to their developmental needs.

Keywords:

• mitigation actions
• nationally appropriate mitigation actions
• UNFCCC
• developing countries
• CBDR
• development

Notes

1 A 2008 article by two of the WGIII IPCC authors estimated that a deviation of between 15% and 30% below 2020 BAU scenarios would likely be required of NAI countries as a group (den Elzen & Höhne, 2008). AR5 is to be released in 2014.

2 United States of America, S.RES. 98, 105th Cong. (1997). Accessed at http://www.nationalcenter.org/KyotoSenate.html.

3 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/12/copenhagen_the_dawn_of_a_new_p.html | http://www.indianexpress.com/news/24-hours-too-late-on-telangana/560530/0|http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/blogs/the-gaggle/2009/12/18/obama-dramatically-interrupts-meeting-negotiators-reach-final-agreement.html.

4 http://unfccc.int/meetings/copenhagen_dec_2009/items/5262.php [accessed 29 August 2013].

5 The MEF is composed of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

6 http://www.majoreconomiesforum.org/past-meetings/the-first-leaders-meeting.html.

7 http://www.mitigationpartnership.net.

8 http://unfccc.int/cooperation_support/nama/items/7476.php.

9 http://unfccc.int/cooperation_support/nama/items/6945.php.

10 Reporting requirements are more flexible for Least Developed Country Parties and Small Island Developing States.

11 Least Developed Country Parties and Small Island Developing States may submit biennial update reports at their discretion and are not bound by the December 2014 deadline.