Events

On the 2nd and 4th February 2021, a virtual workshop on “Enabling transparency in the AFOLU sector: Enhancing Data Collection and Institutional Arrangements” was hosted by the PATPA Anglophone African Regional Group. Prior to this event, a pre-workshop was held on the 19th of January to set the scene and introduce the participants to the objectives and plan for the forthcoming workshop. The events primarily aimed to identify and tackle common challenges around institutional arrangements and data collection processes in Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Uses (AFOLU).

The workshop was organized jointly by the Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of South Africa, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Swedish EPA), and the Global Support Programme (GSP).

In her opening remarks on the first workshop day, Sandra Motshwanedi (South Africa) shed light on the importance of transparency and peer-to-peer learning. Subsequently, Mirella Salvatore (FAO) reflected on the importance of sound data for fulfilling the requirement of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) and presented common challenges associated with data availability, collection, and management. Additionally, Walter Svindurai presented Zimbabwe’s efforts to enhance institutional arrangements and data collection processes as well as associated challenges, which spurred a discussion amongst participants on similar challenges faced in their countries.

A presentation of different useful tools and e-learnings and exchange platforms also took place on the second workshop day. Stanford Mwakasonda (GSP) presented the 2006 IPCC GHG Inventory Software for AFOLU, a tool used for preparing a national GHG inventory based on the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Other Marketplace tools that strengthen transparency were also presented, such as the U.S. EPA NGHGI templates which provides countries with easy-to-use National Inventory System Templates designed based upon the UNFCCC and IPCC guidance.

With representatives from the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture/Forestry, and the National Statics Offices, a lively discussion took place, whereby participants exchanged experiences, addressed challenges, and brainstormed potential solutions for the implementation of the ETF in different breakout sessions. The plan is to build on these discussions in a future in-person workshop, where concrete action plans shall be developed. Besides laying the foundation for such important work, the workshop also fostered regional networking and collaboration on mutual goals such as advancing climate action implementation and raising NDC ambition.

In the coming months, PATPA is keen on keeping participants engaged through a virtual collaborative workspace as well as organising further smaller events, such as virtual seminars. Countries seeking support with their MRV/Transparency systems should also take a look at our Documents & Tools and check out the Climate Helpdesk.

 

Please see the workshop materials (e.g. reports and presentations) in the top-right corner available to download.