SB60 Side Event in Bonn: Amplifying Article 6 Implementation: Taking Stock of Article 6 Implementation and Scaling Up Capacity-Building Efforts Across Regions

Summary of the Meeting

The A6IP Side Event at the Bonn Climate Conference 2024 focused on the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, exploring the current status and opportunities for scaling up capacity-building efforts in preparation for COP29 in Baku. Discussions centered on priority areas, challenges, and tools for enhancing Article 6 implementation across regions.

The side event was moderated by Dr. Diana Khan, Program Manager at the A6IP Center.

Session 1: Welcome Remarks and Updates on A6IP Activities
Kazuhisa Koakutsu, Director, A6IP Center, started the session with a warm welcome to all attendees, emphasizing the critical role of collaboration in Article 6 implementation. He highlighted A6IP's ongoing efforts to align capacity-building activities with the needs of partner countries and announced upcoming initiatives, including the preparation of the Article 6 Implementation Status Report and the development of tools to support capacity-building efforts. Director Kazu underscored the importance of maintaining high-integrity carbon markets as a cornerstone for achieving net-zero targets by 2050, linking the discussion to the G7's commitments and A6IP’s pivotal role in supporting partner countries.

Session 2: Updates on Article 6 Capacity-Building Work Program
Zubair Shahid, Manager, UNFCCC Secretariat, provided an overview of the UNFCCC's Article 6 capacity-building work program. He detailed the Secretariat’s strategy to enhance institutional arrangements, focusing on gaps identified through regional collaboration centers (RCCs). Key areas of support include aligning Article 6 activities with NDCs, addressing authorization challenges, and developing standardized reporting frameworks.

Zubair also highlighted plans to make capacity-building efforts more incremental and responsive, utilizing diverse formats such as workshops, e-learning, and micro-learning tools.

Session 3: Updates on World Bank’s Support for Article 6
Speaker: Harikumar Gadde, Senior Climate Change Specialist, discussed the World Bank's strategic pillars for engaging in carbon markets, emphasizing readiness assessments, policy development, and infrastructure needs. He introduced tools such as the Carbon Pricing and Markets Academy and the Climate Action Data Trust, which aim to enhance transparency and support market participants. Hari provided examples of ongoing World Bank initiatives, including support for national registries and Article 6 strategies, showcasing progress in countries such as Bhutan and East Africa.

Session 4: Updates on IETA Activities on Private Sector Engagement on Article 6
Speaker: Björn Fondén, International Policy Advisor, IETA, presented IETA’s role in mobilizing private sector involvement in Article 6, focusing on the organization's efforts to promote high-integrity carbon markets. He highlighted IETA's Private Sector Working Group, which addresses operational challenges such as authorization, registries, and corresponding adjustments. Björn emphasized the potential of Article 6 to unlock significant financial flows and increase mitigation ambition through cost-effective solutions. He urged stakeholders to adopt streamlined rules and frameworks to build trust and encourage investments.

Guiding questions 

For partner countries:

• What are the key challenges in building readiness for Article 6 and meeting the priorities and expected implementation milestones of the country for this year?
• How are the existing capacity building efforts responding to meet these challenges and where the gaps are?

For partner organizations and supporting countries:

• Sharing information on tools that partner organizations have developed / are developing to support Article 6 implementation and how can countries access those tools?
• How could Article 6 capacity building support be scaled up and expanded?

Open Discussion: Enhancing Readiness and Scaling Up Capacity-Building for Article 6 Implementation 

Initial Remarks

1. N. Charles Hamilton, Advisor, Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit (C2EAU), The Bahamas, highlighted the importance of capacity-building initiatives tailored to small island developing states (SIDS). He stressed the need for clear strategies to integrate Article 6 into national climate plans and build robust institutional frameworks.
2. Thomas Forth, Advisor, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Germany, shared Germany’s perspective on scaling up Article 6 implementation through initiatives such as the SPARK project, focusing on sectoral approaches and infrastructure readiness.
3. Amanda McKee, Director, Knowledge and Learning, NDC Partnership, emphasized the importance of partnerships in scaling capacity-building efforts, advocating for integrated approaches to align national priorities with Article 6 objectives.

Summary of key discussion

• The need for tailored capacity-building strategies to address diverse national circumstances.
• The importance of robust data governance frameworks for efficient tracking and reporting of ITMOs.
• Opportunities to enhance coordination among development partners, with a focus on leveraging tools such as the CAD Trust.
• Recommendations to balance short-term solutions with long-term visions for interoperability and transparency.

Session 5: Wrap-Up and Planning Towards COP29
Kazuhisa Koakutsu, Director, A6IP Center, concluded the event by thanking all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions. He emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to address Article 6 implementation challenges and reiterated A6IP’s commitment to supporting partner countries through innovative tools and collaborative initiatives. Participants were encouraged to stay engaged in A6IP activities leading up to COP29 in Baku.

Disclaimer

Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of this meeting summary. However, occasional errors may occur. Attendees are encouraged to refer to the event webpage or request additional materials for further details on speaker presentations.