A/AC.237/81 (b) Ten reported on activities related to energy efficiency (for example, upgrading electricity transmission lines, energy demand side management and restructuring of the electricity market (prices, subsidies, and so forth)); (၁) Ten reported on forestry activities, about half of which addressed, forest management; some mentioned sink enhancement and afforestation; (d) Nine mentioned activities in energy planning; and (e) . Seven reported on activities related to climate change research including sealevel rise, monitoring, meteorological assistance, CH, emissions and forestry. Regional channels 163. The discussion of regional channels was limited. About half of the communications referred to activities implemented through regional organizations (such as the regional development banks, the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, or the Association of South East Asian Nations) or where participation in an activity was region-wide. Most activities concerned capacity building such as seminars and/or studies on climate change issues, emissions inventories, evaluation of impacts and strategic analysis of response options. Research activities were also noted. Other multilateral channels 164. Twelve Parties discussed activities that they characterized as multilateral. The most common examples cited related to contributions to the Committee trust funds (see A/AC.237/80) and to the IPCC to support these two processes, including funding for the participation of developing countries. Other activities mentioned included: Contributions to activities under the Tropical Forestry Action Programme and to the International Tropical Timber Organization Support for the IEA/OECD GREENTIE programme Support through the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme for A/AC.237/81 165. Support to the International Center for Agroforestry and the Center for Support for technology-related activities under the United Nations Industrial Article 4.5 addresses the transfer of, and access to, technologies and know-how. The guidelines request Annex II Parties to submit information, particularly with regard to technology transfer or access, with a delineation between governmental and private sector initiatives. 166. The references to technology transfer tended to reflect the current international discussion, especially those in the CSD. These discussions centre on mechanisms to facilitate technology transfer, such as technology centres and clearing houses, joint ventures and other types of partnerships, and on terms and levels of financing and investment. James in abren 167. Nine communications made some reference to this issue. Many discussed the approach to technology transfer and some gave examples of ongoing projects. Specific examples of activities were discussed mostly within the framework of bilateral cooperation. The areas of activity mentioned included the energy sector (developing and applying technology to coal plants or renewable energy sources and to improving energy efficiency), technology for observation and assessment in meteorology and climatology, and technology related to forest conservation and afforestation. A few communications discussed efforts to establish information-sharing facilities in order to provide information on the availability of, and access to, technology, one with the explicit intent of linking demand with supply in the private sector. 168.The role of the private sector in technology transfer was discussed in five communications. The need to create partnerships between the public and private sectors was also mentioned (for example, technologies being promoted through credit for investments). 169. Article 4 includes commitments relating to cooperation in preparing for adaptation and assistance in meeting the costs of adaptation. Six Parties addressed, either explicitly or implicitly, cooperation with developing countries relating to adaptation and vulnerability A/AC.237/81 assessment, some referring to these as elements of their development assistance or international climate cooperation programmes. 170. The bulk of the discussion of adaptation and vulnerability assessment related to specific bilateral projects which focused on activities that could be characterized for the most part as preparatory studies or capacity building. The following areas of activity were most commonly mentioned: studies of vulnerability assessment or potential impacts, including the assessment of policy options for adaptation; studies of sealevel rise; development of coastal zone management plans, and meteorological service capacity building. E. Capacity building 171. Article 4.5 refers to the development and enhancement of endogenous capacities of developing countries. Moreover, capacity building has been identified as the first programme priority recommended by the Committee for the financial mechanism. Most of the national communications addressed this issue, either through explicit references or by describing bilateral projects that can be considered as capacity building activities. The following are noteworthy: (a) Two thirds of the communications reported on support for country studies, including the development of inventories, the identification of mitigation and adaptation response options, and the development of plans and strategies; (b) About half referred to general and/or managerial training activities in relation to energy, forestry, climate change impacts, technology and meteorology; (၁) About one third mentioned efforts to strengthen research capacities, including exchanges, funding and joint research efforts and a similar number referred to capacity building activities directed at meteorological services, including meteorology and climatology; and (d) About one third referred to institution building, including the development of legislation and regulations. 172. There were few references to capacity building at the multilateral level. One communication referred to the role of the GEF in this regard, one highlighted the role of the multilateral development banks, and one noted support for WMO activities. A/AC.237/81 F. Assistance to countries with economies in transition 173. Article 4.3 and 4.4 relates to the provision of financial resources to developing country Parties. Nevertheless, eight Parties also reported on bilateral and multilateral assistance to countries with economies in transition. These efforts appeared, at least in part, to be relevant to the implementation of Article 4.5. 174. Many of the activities reported encompass elements relating to technology transfer, assessment studies or capacity building. Key sectors mentioned were: energy efficiency (subsectors: transportation, housing); country studies and inventories; policy formulation and planning; conversion of power plants to more efficient technologies; and the promotion of increased utilization of renewable energy sources. Some communications also reported on efforts to mobilize resources through credits or feasibility studies for joint ventures. G. Summary conclusions 175. All Annex II Parties that submitted national communications have made commitments to contribute to the replenished GEF. The level of "new and additional" resources, however, cannot be determined on the basis of the communications as there is no agreed benchmark against which to measure this. Although financing through the GEF is defined in the GEF Instrument as "new and additional", only a few communications indicated explicitly that their contributions to the GEF were new and additional. 176. All Annex II Parties reported on some activities implemented through bilateral, regional or multilateral channels. It was not possible to aggregate the reported resource flows because of lack of comparable data. Much effort was reported on capacity building, especially as regards country studies, inventories, observation and monitoring. With regard to adaptation and vulnerability assessment, most of the activities could be characterized as preparatory studies. 177. The discussion on technology transfer centred on the approach to technology transfer, the access to information and technology, and to mechanisms for transfer. Discussion of specific activities was limited. Little information was provided regarding predicted and identifiable resource allocations, either bilaterally or in the context of the financial A/AC.237/81 VIII. IMPLEMENTATION OF OTHER COMMITMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES A. Expected impacts of climate change, vulnerability assessment and adaptation Expected impacts of climate change and vulnerability assessment 178. Addressing commitments under Article 4.1(b) and (e), all but one national communication discussed, in varying detail, the vulnerability of ecosystems, economic sectors and society and the expected impacts of climate change thereon." The communications generally treated the expected impacts of climate change and vulnerability to climate change as a single issue. 179. Nine communications included information on a national climate change scenario (derived from existing models) which was used as a basis for assessing potential impacts and vulnerability. The uncertainties regarding the scenarios were noted, particularly the inadequacy of global models for predicting regional or national climate change. Different time-scales and key assumptions were used to predict possible temperature increases. The greatest uncertainties existed with regard to predictions of possible changes in precipitation. S 180. Uncertainties with regard to the predictions of climate change were mentioned as a fundamental problem in assessing possible impacts of climate change and the consequent vulnerability of ecosystems, sectors of the economy and society. It was emphasized that improving the predictions of national or regional climate change was the essential first step. In addition, many communications mentioned that impacts and vulnerability were difficult to assess due to the complexity of the systems and the interactions among several factors. All but one of the Parties mentioned that research was being undertaken to improve knowledge of the climate system and the impacts of climate change in a variety of sectors. 181. In most cases the expected impacts and vulnerability were described qualitatively, but one national communication estimated the impacts and vulnerability in terms of extra costs that would be incurred to cope with the impacts or in terms of damage costs. 182. Coastal zones and agriculture were mentioned frequently in the discussions on expected impacts and vulnerability. Sealevel rise and increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events could lead to increased flood risks, damage to coastal protection 11 "Vulnerability" and "impact" are defined as in the IPCC Technical Guidelines for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and |