June 13, 2013/Bonn, Germany

GIZ organized a Side Event on “NAMAs in the Transport Sector” at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn. Around 70 representatives from various countries and organizations attended this event on the evening of 5 June 2013.

André Eckermann (GIZ, “Towards Climate-Friendly Transport Technologies and Measures – TRANSfer”) welcomed the participants and conveyed greetings from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) which is funding the TRANSfer Project within its International Climate Initiative.

After these opening remarks Benoit Lefevre (EMBARQ, WRI) emphasized the crucial importance of the transport sector for global mitigation action, given its 27% share in total fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions. Sectoral projections foresee a further rise in emissions by 120% until 2050 compared to 2000 levels.

Heather Allen (Bridging-the-Gap Initiative) underscored the need to bring transport and climate change worlds closer together.

André Eckermann highlighted that NAMAs seem to be a promising instrument for tackling emissions from the transport sector.

During the following panel discussion moderated by Niklas Höhne(Ecofys), Sandra López (Colombia), Brian Mantlana (South Africa), Ned Helme (Center for Clean Air Policy) and Heather Allen shared practical experiences from their concrete projects on NAMAs in the transport sector.   

The panel identified a list of key motivations for countries to undertake NAMAs in the transport sector, including sustainable development related co-benefits, recognition for ongoing policies and measures and attracting international financial and technical support. Because of its country-driven and flexible approach, the relatively new instrument NAMA was seen to be better suited for spurring mitigation action in transport than the CDM. Hence, setting up institutional structures and clear responsibilities for NAMAs was seen to be an important requirement for facilitating NAMA development and implementation.

During the second block, moderator Niklas Höhne (Ecofys) turned the panel discussion towards barriers for the implementation of NAMAs. Going from policy design to implementation, and from the national to the local level, was outlined to be particularly challenging. Data availability, data quality and the complexity of MRV approaches for transport NAMAs were also identified as challenges. Panelists (supported by voices from the audience) pointed out that capacity development is therefore key for the success of NAMAs. 

The final part of the panel discussion drew a picture of future options for NAMAs in the transport sector. Climate finance may trigger shifts from traditional to sustainable transport investments. Sectoral approaches for MRV should be kept simple yet solid and should cover GHG emission reductions and other co-benefits. The instrument NAMA is seen as an opportunity to mainstream climate change into transport policies in order to have an integrated approach to tackle different issues at a time.

Whereas most interventions during the lively discussion saw the opportunity to further shape the future climate change regime (ensuring compatibility with the special conditions of the transport sector), a clear tendency among participants emerged that there is no need for a stringent definition of the NAMA concept under the UNFCCC.

The active participation of the audience at different occasions during the side event showed that many parties are interested in NAMAs in the transport sector. Lively discussions around transport and climate change continued also during the subsequent dinner reception.

For more information:www.transferproject.org

Photo 1: © 2013, IISD/Brad Vincelette

Photo 2: © 2013, GIZ/Jonas Bleckmann