Kick-Off Mission Report: Dominican Republic · Information Matters: Dominican Republic. Kick-Off Mission Report 2 Resumen ejecutivo La GIZ en nombre del Ministerio Alemán de Medio

Information Matters, Dominican Republic: Capacity Building for Enhanced Reporting and Facilitation of International Mutual Learning

through and Global Peer-to-Peer Exchange

Kick-Off Mission Report: Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, October 15th till 24th 2013

Published by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany T +49 228 44 60-0 (Bonn) T +49 61 96 79-0 (Eschborn) Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40 53113 Bonn, Germany T +49 228 44 60-0 F +49 228 44 60-17 66 Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5 65760 Eschborn, Germany T +49 61 96 79-0 F +49 61 96 79-11 15 E [email protected] I www.giz.de Authors:

Sina Wartmann Ross Hunter Photo credits GIZ Copyright: GIZ Berlin 12 December 2013

http://www.giz.de/

Information Matters: Dominican Republic. Kick-Off Mission Report

2

Executive summary

The GIZ on behalf of the German Ministry

for the Environment, Nature Conservation

and Nuclear Safety (BMU) is providing

technical support to four selected countries

(Dominican Republic, Ghana, Philippines,

Chile).

The project aims - as its primary goal - to

strengthen the in-country capacities for

ambitious reporting of climate relevant

information to the UNFCCC in the four

partner countries. In consultation with the

partners, the specific needs and priorities of

the MRV systems and greenhouse gas (GHG)

monitoring are being identified and improved

with tailored in-country capacity-building

workshops and training. Peer-to-peer

exchange and the generation of lessons learnt

support this process.

Through these training activities and capacity

building workshops, the partners will be able

to define procedures, methodologies and

responsibilities in order to institutionalize

their reporting system with the special focus

on the requirements for national-level

mitigation-related reporting to the UNFCCC.

This report covers the kick-off mission in the

Dominican Republic, held from 15-24th

October 2013. The kick-off mission included

a gap analysis in week 1, followed by a

validation workshop in week 2.

The kick-off phase included a quick survey to

assess the current state of play regarding data

and the position of those institutions crucial

for delivering a biennial update report, a short

review of the on-going work programmes in

the Dominican Republic that are relevant to

this project and the initial gap analysis from

the focus group discussions (FGDs) with the

government departments, ministries and

agencies.

The purpose of the workshop was to discuss,

challenge and validate the initial gaps

identified in the focus group discussions in

week 1 of the kick-off mission. It also allowed

other stakeholders to participate in the

identification of additional relevant gaps and

allowed the capacity building needed to be

prioritised.

The methodology to challenge and group the

identified capacity gaps, and then to prioritise

them, was based on the Metaplan creativity

technique.

The workshop suggested the main areas where

capacity building is needed in the Dominican

Republic were:

GHG Inventory: Institutional

arrangements, Methodologies, data

collection, QA/QC

MRV of Mitigation Actions:

Introduction to the concept, key

approaches, considerations for

sectors identified (waste, cement,

tourism)

MRV of climate finance: Introduction

to the concept, connection to planned

Fondo Climatico (FONCAC)

Crosscutting:

o Identification of suitable

institutional and operational

structures for a holistic and

functional climate change

reporting system

o Improvement of data flows

between institutions

o Development, embedding

and retention of an

appropriate range of skills to

enable climate change

reporting to function

effectively within the

country.

A concept paper will now be drafted for

presentation to and discussion with the

stakeholders. This concept paper will outline

the main areas where training could be given

to fill identified capacity gaps. A work plan will

then be attached to the final concept paper for

validation with all involved stakeholders


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Resumen ejecutivo

La GIZ en nombre del Ministerio Alemán de

Medio Ambiente, Conservación de la

Naturaleza y Seguridad Nuclear (BMU) está

prestando apoyo técnico a cuatro países

(Filipinas, Ghana, República Dominicana y

Chile) en el marco del proyecto Information

Matters.

El objetivo principal del proyecto es el

fortalecimiento de las capacidades nacionales

para la información y el reporte ambiciosos

sobre el clima a la UNFCCC en los cuatro

países socios. En consulta con las

contrapartes, las necesidades específicas y las

prioridades de los sistemas de MRV y

monitoreo de gases de efecto invernadero

(GEI) están siendo identificados y mejorados

con talleres de formación y fomento de

capacidades adecuados a las realidades y

necesidades de cada país. Un intercambio

entre pares y la generación de lecciones

aprendidas dan apoyo adicional a este proceso.

A través de estas actividades de formación y

talleres de capacitación , los socios estarán en

condiciones de definir unos procedimientos,

metodologías y responsabilidades con el fin de

institucionalizar su sistema de reporte con un

enfoque especial sobre los requisitos para la

presentación de informes relacionados con la

mitigación a nivel nacional a la UNFCCC.

Este informe resume el desarrollo de la misión

de lanzamiento en la República Dominicana,

que tuvo lugar del 15 al 24 de octubre de 2013.

La misión inicial incluyó un análisis de las

deficiencias en el sistema nacional de MRV en

la semana 1, seguido de un taller de validación

en la semana 2.

La mission de lanzamiento incluyó una

encuesta rápida para evaluar la situación actual

en relación con los datos y las instituciones

necesarias para entregar un informe bienual

(BUR), una breve reseña de los programas en

curso de trabajo en la República Dominicana

que son relevantes para este proyecto, y un

análisis inicial de las deficiencias derivado de

las discusiones focalizadas de grupos con los

departamentos gubernamentales, ministerios y

organismos.

El propósito del taller de validación fue

discutir, cuestionar y validar las brechas

identificadas en los grupos de discusión en la

semana 1 de la mision. También permitió a

otras partes interesadas participar en la

identificación de deficiencias relevantes

adicionales en el sistema de MRV y en la

priorización del desarrollo de capacidades.

La metodología para contrastar y agrupar las

brechas identificadas en el sistema nacional de

MRV, así como para su posterior priorización,

se basa en la técnica de creatividad Metaplan.

El taller sugirió que las principales áreas donde

se necesita fomento de capacidades en la

República Dominicana son las siguientes:

Inventario de GEI: Arreglos

institucionales, metodologías,

recopilación e intercambio de datos,

AC / CC

MRV de las acciones de mitigación:

Introducción al concepto, enfoques

clave, consideraciones para

determinados sectores ( residuos ,

cemento, turismo)

MRV del apoyo: Introducción al

concepto, conexión con el planeado

Fondo Climatico (FONCAC)

Transversal:

o Identificación de las

estructuras institucionales y

operativas adecuadas para un

sistema holístico y funcional

de reporte de cambio

climático

o Mejora de los flujos de

intercambio de datos entre

las instituciones

o Desarrollo, incorporación y

retención de una gama

adecuada de capacidades que

permitan la elaboración de

reports sobre cambio


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climático para funcionar de

manera efectiva en el país.

A continuación, se elaborará un documento

conceptual para la presentación y discusión

con los actors relevantes en el sistema de MRV

en la República Dominicana. Este documento

conceptual esbozará las principales áreas en las

que se podría dar apoyo para llenar los vacíos

de capacidad identificadas. Un plan de trabajo

será unido al documento conceptual final para

la validación con todos los actores

involucrados.

.


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Content 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 The BMU International Climate Initiative (IKI) .......................................................................................... 4

1.2 Overview of the IM project .............................................................................................................................. 4

1.2.1 Project outline ................................................................................................................................................ 4

1.2.2 Boundaries and dimensions of the project................................................................................................ 6

1.2.3 Timeline ........................................................................................................................................................... 8

1.3 Overview .............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Knowledge Products ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

1.4 Data gathering ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

1.5 Tools developed to support information gathering and analysis ............................................................... 9

1.6 Background research.......................................................................................................................................... 9

1.6.1 Background survey ........................................................................................................................................ 9

1.6.2 Ongoing projects ........................................................................................................................................... 9

1.7 Identifying the stakeholders ............................................................................................................................. 9

1.8 Methodology for data gathering .................................................................................................................... 10

1.9 Initial results of the gap analysis .................................................................................................................... 10

2 Validation workshop ........................................................................................................ 9

2.1 Purpose of the workshop .................................................................................................................................. 9

2.2 Attendees and agenda ........................................................................................................................................ 9

2.3 Methodology of the workshop ........................................................................................................................ 9

2.4 Summary of the prioritised capacity needs .................................................................................................. 10

3 Next steps ....................................................................................................................... 12

4 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ 13

5 References ...................................................................................................................... 14

Appendices ............................................................................................................................ 15

Appendix 1 – Pre mission gap analysis survey template ....................................................... 16

Appendix 2 – Further relevant projects ................................................................................. 19

Appendix 3 – Stakeholders consulted for the facilitated group discussions (FGDs) ........... 20

Appendix 4 – Facilitated Group Discussion (FGD) data collection matrix ......................... 21

Appendix 5 – Gaps identified ................................................................................................ 22

Appendix 6 – Workshop agenda ........................................................................................... 29

Appendix 8 – Summary of the messages from the breakout groups .................................... 32

Appendix 9 – Presentations from the kick-off workshop ...................................................... 40


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1. Introduction

This report presents the outcome of the initial

work done in the Dominican Republic, including

the outcome of the initial gap analysis validation

workshop. The main body of the report is short,

with 9 appendices of supporting material.

This section provides an overview of the

Information Matters (IM) project, and sets the

project in the wider context.

1.1 The BMU International Climate

Initiative (IKI)

Since 2008, the International Climate Initiative

(IKI) of the Federal Ministry for the

Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear

Safety (BMU) has been financing climate and

biodiversity projects in developing and newly

industrializing countries, as well as in countries in

transition. Based on a decision taken by the

German parliament (Bundestag), a sum of 120

million euros is available for use by the initiative

annually. The IKI was a key element of

Germany’s implementation of fast start [climate]

financing. The Energy and Climate Fund

launched by the German Government in 2011 is

a further source of finance for international

climate projects, and for activities to conserve

biological diversity. Part of that funding is

deployed through the IKI. That fund is

replenished from the auctioning of emission

allowances. This innovative source makes

Germany well-prepared to deliver long-term

financing for climate and biodiversity projects

worldwide.

The IKI is active in four areas: mitigating

greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the

impacts of climate change, conserving natural

carbon sinks with a focus on reducing emissions

from deforestation and forest degradation

(REDD+), as well as conserving biological

diversity.

New projects are selected through a two-stage

procedure that takes place once a year. Priority is

given to activities that support the creation of an

international climate protection architecture,

transparency, and innovative and transferable

solutions that have an impact beyond the

individual project. The IKI cooperates closely

with partner countries and supports consensus

building for a comprehensive international

climate agreement. Moreover, it is the goal of the

IKI to create as many synergies as possible

between climate protection and biodiversity

conservation.

Further information can be found at the BMU

IKI homepage http://www.international-

climate-initiative.com/en/

1.2 Overview of the IM project

1.2.1 Project outline

The GIZ on behalf of the German Ministry for

the Environment, Nature Conservation and

Nuclear Safety is about to provide technical

support to four selected countries (Dominican

Republic, Ghana, the Philippines, Chile).

The project aims - as its primary goal - to

strengthen the in-country capacities for ambitious

reporting in the four partner countries Chile,

Dominican Republic, Ghana and the Philippines.

In consultation with the partners, the specific

needs and priorities of the measurement,

reporting and verification (MRV) systems and

greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring will be

identified and improved with tailored in-country

capacity-building workshops and trainings. MRV

is supposed to enhance transparency in order to

increase ambition at national level by providing

the information basis for planning and

implementing mitigation action. Additionally,

MRV supports transparency in order to track

progress and reinforce ambition at global level.

http://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/

http://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/


5

Peer-to-peer exchange and generation of lesson

learned supports this process. Through these

trainings and capacity building workshops, the

partners should be able to define procedures,

methodologies and responsibilities in order to

institutionalize their reporting system with the

special focus on the requirements for national-

level mitigation-related reporting to the

UNFCCC.

The project will work very close with the United

Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Low

Emission Capacity Building Programme (UNDP-

LECB) and the National Communication

Support Programme (NCSP) in the project

countries. The LECB Programme and the NCSP

develop technical and institutional capacities of

countries in order to enable them to collect,

manage and report the necessary data for

planning and implementing mitigation actions.

The goal of the cooperation is to avoid overlaps

and to maximize synergies and benefit from

mutually complementary activities. GIZ will work

together with the World Resource Institute (WRI)

on monitoring and reporting issues in this project.

Additionally, the project will work together with

the project “Support to the International

Partnership on Mitigation and MRV”, also called

IMMA.

GIZ will offer technical support to the partner

country’s government’s institution in charge of

the national monitoring and reporting of climate-

relevant data and address their specific demands

for capacity building support in the process to

prepare national reports. GIZ will collaborate in

this effort with and subcontract the British

consulting firm Ricardo-AEA which is specialized

in monitoring, reporting and verification

methodologies. As initial activity in the project,

Ricardo-AEA has conducted a gap analysis in

each of the four selected countries and organize

together with GIZ a kick-off workshop when the

partner country’s institution will agree with GIZ

and Ricardo-AEA on a capacity building plan for

the next two years.

This plan will include four in-country workshops

for the staff of the partner country’s government

involved in monitoring and reporting activities.

The content of the workshops depends on the

demand from the individual countries but could,

for instance, cover the monitoring and reporting

of emissions inventories, mitigation actions and

quantification of transformational and sustainable

mitigation impacts, and technical and financial

support as well as needs, accounting or

preparations for international reporting

processes.

Between the workshops over the complete time

of the project implementation, there will be

placed one expert in-country in the GIZ country

office to respond flexibly to ad-hoc demands

from the partner institution. Additionally, the

German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is

involved in the project and one GIZ staff

member will be seconded to UBA in order to

facilitate their contributions to the project and

provision of technical support to the partner

countries.

And the project will support the partner

countries’ institutions in the analysis of their

processes to monitor and report and how to

bridge remaining gaps and improve these

processes according to international standards

and UNFCCC requirements.

Towards the end of the project, GIZ and

Ricardo-AEA will organize a global workshop for

the staff members from the four involved

countries’ institutions to exchange peer-to-peer

their experiences on the technical challenges and

potential solutions of national monitoring and

reporting procedures. This exchange shall also

allow the involved participants from the four

countries to help each other to refine and

improve their data collection and data analysis

procedures. A team of technical experts from

Ricardo-AEA including – if possible and

demanded from the countries – experts from the

four involved countries will support this process.

The tools developed and tested in the project to

incorporate all elements of the existing GHG

inventory, to collect data and to install a

monitoring and reporting procedure will

condense lessons learnt. In order to enable other

countries to learn from the four countries

involved in the project, which will acquire a

certain leadership on the issues of monitoring and


6

reporting, the tools tested and developed shall be

provided for other interested countries after

project completion. To this end, the partner

country’s government institution involved in the

project should share their experiences and will be

invited to give presentations on the lessons learnt

in meetings of the International Partnership on

Mitigation and MRV.

1.2.2 Boundaries and dimensions of

the project

Boundaries

The work is designed to identify gaps related to

the collection, processing, analysis and

interpretation, tracking, and reporting of climate

relevant information to assist with international

climate change reporting. The project then looks

at what capacity building is needed to fill the gaps

identified and what each country would like to

prioritise.

The concept of mitigation as a function of

adaptation is an important concept for the

Dominican Republic policy makers. The IM

project does not consider adaptation.

Audience

The capacity building activities are focused on

relevant government ministries, departments and

agencies (MDAs), or equivalent, at national and

local levels and across all relevant sectors.

Criteria

The capacity building must be relevant to

international reporting of climate change

information (i.e. the National Communication

and Biennial Update Report). It must be realistic

and achievable in timeframe of the project (i.e.

within 2 years) and not repeat what has been done

before. It must compliment or strengthen on-

going projects where relevant and can cover any

of the sectors or elements relevant to mitigation

monitoring and reporting.

The capacity building can be on cross cutting

issues (e.g. MRV system, and institutional

strengthening), on sector specific issues, and can

apply to national or local levels. The capacity

building needs to ensure an enduring outcome,

with the aim of institutionalising processes and

procedures. The capacity building should not only

assist with international reporting, but also be

relevant to building knowledge, skills, tools,

processes and procedures applicable to national

monitoring (MRV and M&E) of climate relevant

policies, strategies, projects and programmes. It

can also be relevant to understanding how

mitigation is a result of adaptation and/or

development actions (i.e. a co-benefit).

Figure 1-1 provides a schematic representation of

the Information Matters project.


7

Figure 1-1 Schematic representation of the Information Matters project

M&E / MRV systems

Overarching issues• Coordination• Framework• Institutional mandate• Common processes and procedures• Data access and archiving

GHG MRV

• Activity data

• Emission

Factors

• Guidance

and

methodology

• QA/QC

Mitigation

Actions

Adaptation

Actions

• Baselines

• Indicators

• Outcomes

• Impacts

• MRV

Climate

finance

• Domestic

• International

• Received

• What was it

for? NAMA,

NAP

• National circumstances; institutional arrangements

• National GHG inventory

• Adaptation measures

• Mitigation actions

• Domestic MRV arrangements

• Other actions: tech transfer, public awareness, research

• Financial, technical and capacity needs

• Support received

black – commonblue – NC onlygreen – BUR only

Info

rma

tio

n

Nat. Com

Biennial

Update

Report

(BUR)

Elements needed

for outputs

OutputsCapacity System

Information Matters project

Insti

tuti

on

al

Tech

nic

al

Cap

ab

ilit

y


8

1.2.3 Timeline

The IM project started in September 2013 and will run until September 2015: Figure 1-2 provides an

overview of the project’s timeline.

Figure 1-2 Timeline of the Information Matters project

1.3 Overview

Knowledge Products

This report is External Knowledge Product 1

(EKP1-Dominican Republic) covering the

kick-off Mission in the Dominican Republic, held

from 15-24th October 2013. The kick-off mission

included a gap analysis in week 1, followed by a

validation workshop in week 2.

This section of the report covers the kick off

phase of the IM project. This includes a quick

survey to assess the current state of play regarding

data and institutions needed to deliver a BUR, a

short review of the on-going work programmes

in the Dominican Republic that are relevant to

this IM project, and the initial gap analysis from

the focus group discussions (FGDs) with the

government departments, ministries and

agencies. This gap analysis was then validated and

refined in the kick-off workshop.

1.4 Data gathering

The data gathering phase in the kick-off

workshop consisted of:

Sending a detailed survey template (as a

document) to the CNCCMDL and UNDP

LECB Programme, in advance of the kick-

off mission;

Desk based research on the projects and

programmes that are currently active in the

Dominican Republic (both GIZ and

Ricardo-AEA);

Creation of a structured approach to use

during the FGDs to allow gaps to be

identified;

Kick off in-country missions

September to December 2013

Capacity building missions

January 2014 to June 2015

Peer-to-peer exchange workshop

(Bonn, Germany) - September 2015

Start: September 2013 End: September 2015


9

Identification of the relevant government

departments, ministries and agencies that

needed to be consulted to allow gaps to be

identified;

FGDs with each of the available MDAs,

including discussions about the related

projects and programmes that are currently

on-going in the Dominican Republic;

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the

gaps identified, providing the basis for the

validation at the workshop.

1.5 Tools developed to support

information gathering and analysis

Several tools were developed to support the

information gathering phase, including:

A detailed survey template, in the form of

a document, that was circulated to a limited

number of recipients prior to the FGDs (see

Appendix 1);

A condensed FGD survey template, in the

form of a table, which was used during the

FGDs. This condensed survey template

allowed the meetings to focus on the key

issues, and prevented the meetings becoming

lost in detail (see Appendix 4);

A simple database, in the form of a

spreadsheet, which allowed all the gaps

identified to be recorded, uniquely identified

and categorised according to issue. The

database allowed a semi-quantitative analysis

of the data recorded to reveal areas of

common concern, and institutional,

technical, capability and sectoral gaps at

national and local level.

1.6 Background research

1.6.1 Background survey

A detailed survey template was developed to get

an initial overview of the state of play regarding

availability of information and existence of

institutional structures to report internationally.

This was sent to the main recipient of this project

in the Dominican Republic, the Dominican

Republic's National Council for Climate Change

and the Clean Development Mechanism

(CNCCMDL) to fill in before the kick-off

mission.

The template was developed as a Word document

and when populated, was stored as an Excel

spreadsheet. The word version of the template is

in Appendix 1.

1.6.2 Ongoing projects

There are a number of related, climate relevant

projects taking place in the Dominican Republic

concurrently with this project. These projects are

summarised in Appendix 2.

The most relevant existing projects are:

- Development of the 3rd National

Communication, supported by the UNDP

(starting January 2014, to be finalized by 2016)

- Development of a NAMA related to the cement

and waste sector (2013 - 2018)

- Development of a NAMA in the tourism sector

(under development)

There are some technical and sectoral overlaps

between these projects, and also between these

projects and with this IM project. However, there

are some areas that are not covered or not

completely covered by existing projects, and

where the IM project clearly contribute to fill gaps

in capacity.

The literature reviewed (with contributions to the

analysis from both GIZ and Ricardo-AEA) is

provided in section 5.

1.7 Identifying the stakeholders

The stakeholders were selected for the FGD by

local GIZ staff in the Dominican Republic, in

consultation with the CNCCMDL. The

stakeholders were selected to ensure that the

major GHG mitigation and inventory sectors in

the Dominican Republic were represented, and

institutions involved in receipt of climate finance

were consulted.

The list of stakeholders consulted is given in

Appendix 3.


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1.8 Methodology for data gathering

The main aim of the FGDs was to collect

information about the capacity gaps which are

currently preventing the definition of procedures,

methodologies and responsibilities in order to

institutionalize their reporting system with the

special focus on the requirements for national-

level mitigation-related reporting to the

UNFCCC.

To ensure that complete and comparable

information, a gap analysis questionnaire was

developed (see Section 1.5). This was a detailed

questionnaire, which was designed to gather a

comprehensive set of data.

This questionnaire was used prior to the kick-off

mission to gather information. It was too detailed

to use in a meeting lasting between 1 and three

hours, and so a simplified version of the

questionnaire was developed, in the form of a

matrix. This matrix, shown in Appendix 4, was

designed to capture the key points about capacity

gaps in a structured way. The matrix is split into

two elements. The first element, set out in the

bottom table, considers three main technical

areas, according to the capacity for each technical

area. If there was full capability in each technical

area, there would be no gaps in capacity to fill.

The main part of the matrix therefore has 12 cells.

In addition to the 3 main technical areas, a fourth

“cross cutting” area was considered. This

included things such as overarching QA/QC, and

MRV system design. Each of these cells then

needed to be considered, as and if appropriate, at

the national, local and sectoral scales (see the table

at the top of the page).

The detailed questionnaire could form part of

FGD toolkit for future use and is a useful tool for

countries to self-assess where they may have

potential gaps in capacity.

The FGD meetings were planned to be held from

15th to the 18th of October. As not all meetings

could be held in this timeframe as planned,

further meetings were held on October 23rd and

24th. The findings from these meetings are in line

with findings presented at the workshop and gaps

identified by the workshop participants.

1.9 Initial results of the gap analysis

The gaps identified are presented in detail in

Appendix 5, grouped by MRV of GHG

inventories, MRV of mitigation actions and MRV

of support. Table 1-1 below shows a summary of

these gaps grouped by the categories institutional,

technical and capacity. This categorization has

been chosen to give an overview as gaps

identified are often broad in the sense that only a

basic level of knowledge is available or structures

remain yet to be defined. The summary of the

gaps from the FGDs then formed the basis of the

workshop.

In summary:

Basic knowledge and some data is

available for some sectors, an

institutional structure and working

arrangements remain to be set up in any

detail;

Familiarity with climate finance issues is

limited to one staff member at the

Ministry of Economy and Development,

but a pragmatic institutional approach is

being taken setting up a fund through

which all climate finance flows are to be

routed;

Familiarity with MRV related to

mitigation actions is limited and no

institutional structure has been set up.

No MRV systems have so far been

initiated within the Dominican Republic

The capacity and capability to undertake

detailed climate change reporting is

currently not in place or is below the level

required. This position has not been

helped by the majority of previous work

being undertaken by external consultants

resulting in knowledge not being built

within institutions and individuals in the

Dominican Republic.


8

Table 1-1 Overview on initial gap analysis findings

Capacity Initial findings

National

circumstances and

institutional

arrangements

• Familiar with NATCOM and some stakeholders have an understanding of what a BUR is

• Some complex relationships and working arrangements exist between those organisations involved in NATCOM and BUR

• A centralised approach and system for collating required data and managing its flow between institutions is not in place

• Routine data exchange between organisations and individuals not in place

• Lack of required amount of technical resource within institutions

• MRV systems not in place or planned in detail

• Institutional roles and responsibilities for GHG Inventory compilation not in place

• BUT… Preliminary arrangements for preparing the 3rd NATCOM illustrate significantly improved organisation and involvement of relevant institutions that for the 1st and 2nd.

Technical Issues • Lack of holistic approach for centralised compilation and management of data required for GHGI, MRV and climate finance systems

• Scope and specification of data held by stakeholder organisations unknown

• Specific requirements for data and its timely provision not in place

• Limited technical staff and skills within stakeholder organisations

• Limitations in data available e.g. road transport and off-grid electricity generation

• Whilst some data available via the National Office of Statistics (ONE) the information exchange process for this crucial data provider is in the process of being set up

• Further statistical data is available with the Central Bank

• LULUCF Inventory developed in support of working towards REDD+

• Some potentially good data sources identified – grid electricity, land cover and national energy balance

Capacity Issues • Previous compilation of NATCOMS and GHGI largely by external consultants and experts – resulting in little capability development in stakeholder organisations

• General lack or very outline understanding of NATCOM/BUR components and how these should be phased

• Lack of understanding of data requirements to support NATCOM/BUR – both in terms of using existing datasets and developing these (e.g. National Office of Statistics (ONE)).

• 4 trained technicians in MARENA who have compiled GHG Inventory for LULUCF sector – key individuals for future capacity building

• No MRV systems in place – therefore little capability developed in this area

• Well established ‘on the ground’ system for collecting agriculture and land-use data

• Consideration has been given to the process, stakeholders and data requirements to underpin the NATCOM. Coordination of this process is being shared between the CNCCMDL and MARENA with the support of the UNDP


9

2 Validation workshop

This section of the report summarises the

validation workshop that was held to consider the

capacity gaps revealed during the focus group

discussions.

2.1 Purpose of the workshop

The purpose of the workshop was to discuss,

challenge and validate the initial gaps identified in

the focus group discussions in week 1 of the kick-

off mission. It also allowed other stakeholders to

participate in the identification of additional

relevant gaps and allowed the required capacity

building to be prioritised.

Key to this workshop was gaining an

understanding on the potential overlap with other

on-going climate relevant projects and

programmes and looking to see where the

Information Matters project has a clear role and

can contribute to the capacity building needed in

the Dominican Republic. It is important to

address country priority needs at the same time as

ensuring that the project compliments, builds on

and strengthens other relevant on-going activities.

The team has aimed to follow this simple

principle:

“Locate the (capacity) gap, understand

the (project) overlap”.

Achieving this is not as straight forward as it

seems as the remits of existing projects appear to

cover many of the elements of climate relevant

reporting (i.e. GHG inventories and MRV of

emissions, MRV of mitigation actions, MRV

systems, baselines, QA/QC, country specific

emissions factors). However, taking a closer look

at what capacity building activities are actually

being carried out and the tools that are being

used, there are still substantial gaps that need

1 http://www.metaplan.us/

addressing to ensure that international climate

change reporting in the Dominican Republic is

appropriate, relevant for national circumstances

and institutionalised (in other words replicable

and sustainable).

It is also important to ensure that the activities are

coordinated, compatible with one another and

that there is an understanding of the roles and

responsibilities of all relevant government

institutions and the part they play in the

overarching climate change governance

architecture and in the domestic MRV system, if

such a system is to be put in place.

The workshop was held on 22-23 October.

2.2 Attendees and agenda

The agenda for the workshop is in Appendix 6,

and the list of attendees is in Appendix 7.

Unfortunately no staff members of the Ministry

of Economy and Development could attend and

only limited attendance was available from the

UNDP and the Central Bank.

2.3 Methodology of the workshop

The methodology to challenge and group the

identified capacity gaps, and then to prioritise

them, was based on the Metaplan creativity

technique1. Three facilitators were used in the

workshop, one assigned to each group of

participants.

The methodological approach to the workshop

was to:

1. Select a range of invitees to ensure good

coverage of: sectors where mitigation

occurs, GHG inventory sectors, key data

providers, and the key government

http://www.metaplan.us/


10

institutions responsible for delivering climate

reporting and mitigation actions.

2. Provide background information on the

relevant climate change activities in the

Dominican Republic, and explain the remit

of the IM project.

3. Present an analysis of the key findings of

the gap analysis from the FGDs (see

Appendix 5).

4. Split into groups, each group having a mix

of sectoral, data and institutional

responsibilities.

5. Conduct a facilitated discussion – to

identify capacity gaps.

Summaries of the capacity gaps from the

FGDs were used as the basis for the

discussions. Each of the 3 technical areas

(GHG inventory and MRV, MRV of

mitigation actions, MRV of support) was

considered with respect to capacity needs

(institutional gaps, technical gaps, and

capability gaps).

6. Prioritise the identified capacity gaps

7. Propose broad areas of capacity building

to fill these gaps.

8. Assign a leader from the group to

summarise views of the group and report

back to the plenary.

9. After the workshop, draft a concept note

based on the validated, grouped and

prioritised gaps, taking into account what

other on-going initiatives are covering,

and propose potential capacity building

activities. This will then be refined by

CNCCMDL in consultation with

stakeholders.

The use of the validation steps was essential to

ensure the acceptance and commitment of all the

stakeholders.

2.4 Summary of the prioritised capacity

needs

Appendix 8 provides the summaries from each

group.

The priorities identified in the workshop by the

stakeholders, where capacity building is needed,

have been mapped back onto the condensed

FGD survey template; see Table 2-1.


11

Table 2-1 Prioritized gaps identified at the workshop

Activity

GHG inventory & MRV MRV of mitigation actions Tracking of domestic and international climate finance

Priortiy areas - Need for more technical capacity building

- Institutional support on technical and financial resources and crucially improved coordination and agreed roles and responsibilities among the key stakeholders

- Enhancement and standardisation of measurement methods to improve the quality of data collected and its usability within the inventory

- Continuity of policies

- Inclusion of relevant baseline data collection for the 7 sectors relevant to the GHG inventory in the strategic plans

- Delays in data processing and communication (transfer of data)

- Lack of institutional synergy (in the cross working of teams and organisations under one Department)

- Lack of communication within the individual organisations often resulting in the same things being done twice (working in silos)

- no standard processes; lack of approaches/methods

- Priorities areas/ policies and indicators are yet to be set (type, scale, data requirements). Likey to be large data gaps which will need to be addressed

- Lack of knowledge at the decision-taking level and by all stakeholders (at all levels)

- Lack of economic and human recourses for the development of MRV

- Lack of training on MRV

- Lack of institutional synergies and overlapping of responsibilities among ministries / organisations

- Lack of human and financial resources

- Lack of clear methodologies and processes

- Lack of knowledge on the topic among decision-makers

- Lack of capacity building training activities


12

3 Next steps

The results of the workshop have been used to help draft a “Concept Note” for presentation to and

discussion with the stakeholders. This note will outline the main areas where training could be given to fill

identified capacity gaps. A work plan will also be attached to the note for validation with all involved

stakeholders.

A dialogue with other program implementers (UNDP, GIZ) is foreseen in order to be able to join forces

where training activities are likely to overlap. This included the consideration of combining Information

Matters activities in early 2014 with the kick-off workshops for these projects. By the time this report was

submitted the discussion tended toward not combining the kick-off workshop for the GIZ co-processing

NAMA with any training activities associated with Information Matters, as the GIZ workshop will not focus

on MRV. The potential combination of the kick-off workshop for the 3rd National Communication with

Information Matters training activities is still under consideration.


13

4 Acknowledgements

We are very grateful for the help and support of the CNCCMD and the GIZ staff based in the Dominican

Republic, including the facilitators and documenters of the workshop.


14

5 References

CNCCMDL (2012); Plan Estratégico para el Cambio Climático (PECC) 2011-2030 en la República Dominicana, http://www.climaccion.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Plan%20Estrat%C3%A9gico%20para%20el%20CC.%20RD..pdf. CNCCMDL, UNDP, MARENA (2011); Evaluación de los flujos de inversión y flujos financieros para el sector energético y la adaptación en los sectores agua y turismo de la República Dominicana; http://www.undpcc.org/docs/Investment%20and%20Financial%20flows/I&FF%20reports%20and%20suppl%20information/Dominican%20Republic/Dominican%20Republic_IFF%20assessments_energy%20water%20tourism.pdf.

Alejandro Herrera Moreno (2010); AUTO-EVALUACIÓN DE LA SEGUNDA COMUNICACIÓN NACIONAL -Consultoría para la preparación de la Propuesta de Tercera Comunicación Nacional TCN– Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático; http://ccclimatico.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/memorias-septiembre-2008-septiembre-2010.pdf.

Secretaria de Estado de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (2003); Primera Comunicación Nacional Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático; http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=DOM/COM/1%20E#beg.

Secretaria de Estado de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (2009), Proyecto Cambio Climático 2009. Segunda Comunicación Nacional; http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?rec=j&priref=7156#beg.

http://www.climaccion.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Plan%20Estrat%C3%A9gico%20para%20el%20CC.%20RD..pdf

http://www.climaccion.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Plan%20Estrat%C3%A9gico%20para%20el%20CC.%20RD..pdf

http://www.undpcc.org/docs/Investment%20and%20Financial%20flows/I&FF%20reports%20and%20suppl%20information/Dominican%20Republic/Dominican%20Republic_IFF%20assessments_energy%20water%20tourism.pdf



http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=DOM/COM/1%20E#beg


15

Appendices Appendix 1: Pre mission gap analysis survey template

Appendix 2: Overview on further relevant projects

Appendix 3: Stakeholders consulted for the facilitated group discussions (FGDs)

Appendix 4: Facilitated Group Discussion (FGD) data collection matrix

Appendix 5: Qualitative and quantitative assessment of gaps identified

Appendix 6: Workshop agenda

Appendix 8: Summary of the messages from the workshop plenary and breakout groups

Appendix 9: Presentations from the kick-off workshop


16

Appendix 1 – Pre mission gap analysis

survey template

Checklists for National Mitigation Architecture Checklist “International Commitments and Positions”

Does Country X have a clear position in the climate negotiations, regarding LEDS, NAMAs and MRV/ICA? If so, briefly describe relevant positions.

What mitigation commitments have already been officially announced? (i.e. submitted to UNFCCC?)

Is Country X involved in other international or regional initiatives geared towards LEDS, NAMAs, MRV? List the initiatives.

Is Country X bound by other international or regional agreements or protocols that may influence (positively or negatively) its mitigation potential? List.

Who is the climate focal point of Country X? Provide contact info

Who is the head of the climate delegation to the UNFCCC? Provide contact info Checklist “GHG Inventories”

Does Country X Produce a GHG Inventory? If so:

Does data exist for all emitting sectors?

Do time series exist? If so, how far back?

Which Tiers are used?

Are national or default Emissions Factors used?

Are IPCC Guidelines used? Which ones?

Are systems in place for data quality assurance?

Does Country X have the technical and human resource capacity necessary for the preparation of a GHG Inventory…

What are existing hurdles to GHG Inventory Preparation?

national baseline, sectoral baselines

quality of available data

methods for quantification of direct and indirect mitigation effects

direct and

indirect mitigation effects,

co-benefits for sustainable development,

sustainability of the recorded impact

indicators

guidelines and instruments for data collection and preparation Checklist “National Reporting”

How does reporting happen in Country X?

Have National Communications been submitted?

Is there a centralized reporting entity?

Does a reporting “system” exist? If so, describe.

Do all emitting sectors report?

How are non-GHG metrics compiled and reported, e.g. co-benefits

National Communications

When?

Description of National Communication

Which ongoing projects are working on MRV systems?

Does a pilot MRV system exist?

responsible ministry, involved ministries, inter-ministerial working group

Involved partner for data collection system (financial institutions, NGOs, multilateral implementing agencies, etc.)


17

stakeholder engagement

financing options Checklist “Emission Trends/ Reduction Potentials”

Has country X developed an emissions profile (with reference scenarios)? If so, where can info are found?

Has country X identified its emissions reduction potential? If so, where can info are found? What method was used to determine the potential?

Do Marginal Abatement Cost (MAC) curves exist? institution/ organization, who developed the MAC curve

Have sectors been prioritized for mitigation action? If so, which ones and with what potential?

Buildings,

Transport,

Energy,

Forestry,

Agriculture,

Industry,

Waste management,

Tourism,

Water

graphs

emission development

emission profile

mitigation options/potentials of relevant sectors

mitigation options’ costs

co-benefits

secondary effects (indirect costs incurred through mitigation actions) Checklist “National Policies, Strategies and Targets”

What mitigation relevant policies and strategies exist?

Is there a climate strategy / policy /LEDS?

Key Information

Are there sectoral strategies/policies from the 7 principle emitting sectors?

Key Information by Sector

Is there a national development strategy that defines development goals?

Specific Development Goals

Has Country X set national targets or goals for GHG mitigation? If so, what are they? Time horizon?

Has Country X designated responsibility to specific institutions for:

LEDS Development, implementation and monitoring

NAMA Development, implementation and monitoring

The fulfilment of national MRV requirements

Does a national law exist that requires emissions reporting from, e.g. the private sector?

Is there a statistic bureau or similar for centralizing data collection and storage?

If no LEDS exists, is low-emissions development embedded in other strategic documents?

List alternative strategic documents and key low-emissions indicators

Has Country X developed a NAMA? If so, list title and status? Responsible institution?

analysis of adaptation needs

Low Carbon Emission scenarios which are coherent with sustainable development goals

stakeholder engagement: yes/no, which stakeholders

policies and measures

long-term vision

time horizon

Responsible ministry and involved partners (financial institutions, NGOs, multilateral implementing agencies, etc.)


18

involved ministries

inter-ministerial working group

involved institutions

co-benefits for sustainable development

secondary effects (indirect costs incurred through mitigation actions) in other areas of sustainable development

regulation/ laws/ activities for LCDS implementation

financial options Checklist “Capacity/ Technology/ Finance”

Institutional Capacity:

What are institutional arrangements for:

GHG Inventory Preparation

National Communication Preparations

Verifying information /Quality Control

Data Collection and storage?

…

Human Resource Capacity

What opportunities in country X for higher educational degrees in relevant areas exist?

Do all line ministries have climate experts?

…

Technology Transfer Activities

Financing for Mitigation actions

Support needed/ received for LEDS, NAMAs, MRV

Technical

Financial

Capacity building

Have NAMAs been developed or are in implementation? (future) submissions to NAMA registry?

embedded in LEDS

co-benefits for sustainable development

secondary effects (indirect costs incurred through mitigation actions)

costs of implementation

mitigation effects

cost efficiency

innovation

priorities, prioritized sectors

regulation/ laws/ activities for LCDS implementation

responsible ministry, involved ministries, inter-ministerial working group

involved partners (financial institutions, NGOs, multilateral implementing agencies, etc.)

economic incentives for NAMA implementation

information system for NAMA development and implementation

instruments for technical cooperation

technical need for support

financing needs, financing options, mobilization/potential of private sector financing

estimation of the range of international financial support


19

Appendix 2 – Further relevant projects Project Description Coordinating

institution Funding amount Duration Potential Overlaps

3rd National

Communication

UNDP 480,000 US$ 2014-2018 The development of the 3rd National

Communication will entail capacity building related

to all areas of MRV as well as the institutional

structure of MRV. Capacity building related to the

inventory is planned for the first half of 2014. Close

coordination is therefore necessary to ensure

exploiting synergies to the highest level possible

NAMA on co-processing

of solid waste in cement

production

GIZ &

CNCCMDL

4.5 Million Euros 2013-2018 The project will entail the development of a suitable

MRV system for the NAMA. Synergies could be

achieved related to capacity building on NAMA

MRV including the relevant institutional structures

NAMA in the tourism

sector

CNCCMDL Seeking funds for implementation. Mid. 2014.


20

Appendix 3 – Stakeholders consulted for the facilitated group

discussions (FGDs)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS (FGDs) - GAP ANALYSIS MISSION ITINERARY Information Matters:

Capacity Building for Ambitious Reporting and Facilitation of International Mutual Learning through Peer-to-Peer Exchange

TIME SLOT

Tuesday (Oct 15)

Thursday (Oct 17)

Friday (Oct 18)

Wednesday (Oct 23)

Thursday (Oct 24)

09:00-10:00

UNDP Ministry of Environment (MARENA)

10:00-11:00

GIZ

11:00-12:00

Ministry of Agriculture (MA)

Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) II

12:00-1:00 CNCCMDL

1:00-2:00 National Statistical Office

(ONE) Ministry of Industry and

Commerce (MIC)

2:00-3:00 Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development

(MEPyD) 3:00-4:00 National Energy Commission

(CNE)

4:00-5:00


21

Appendix 4 – Facilitated Group Discussion (FGD) data collection

matrix

Each of the capacity building needs should be considered at three levels: national, local and sectoral (as appropriate and if possible)

The project examines 3 main “technical”

areas (activities), plus cross cutting issues

The capacity has been split into 3 main areas to

help identify the type of capacity building needed


22

Appendix 5 – Gaps identified

Activity

Capacity

GHG inventory & MRV MRV of mitigation actions Tracking of domestic and

international climate finance

Cross cutting issues

Institutional

• For example:

Legal, regulatory,

governance, co-

operation, timely

provision of data

• No institutional arrangements

in place identifying the roles/

responsibilities (i.e. provision of

data, coordinated compilation

and review system, etc.) for

compiling an inventory – as

required by the UNFCCC

• MARENA and CNCCMDL

hold differing views on lead

responsibilities for inventory

compilation

• Inventory experience from

previous NatComs lost as

largely carried out by external

and international consultants

• Basic inventory developed for

agriculture and LULUCF

• Energy balance available as

basis for energy sector

inventory, but excludes

autogeneration which

constitutes a substantial

proportion of fuel consumption

• No active NAMAs in place,

although some are being

developed (Cement and

Waste, Tourism)

• No institutional arrangements

in place for development and

maintenance of MRV systems

• MRV systems do not seem to

figure in planning for climate

change related work within

institutions generally (even

when 3NC and BUR

requirements discussed).

• All finance routed through

Ministry of Economy, Planning

and Development (MEPyD)

• Climate finance will further be

routed through “Fondo

Nacional de Carbono y Cambio

Climatico (FONCAC),” a

designated fund which is

currently pending for Legal

office Presidential approval.

• Relationships and working

arrangements of individual

organisations working in the

climate change arena is

associated with some

complexity. Some greater clarity

in roles and responsibility would

be beneficial, particularly

between the CNCCMDL,

Ministry of Environment and

Ministry of Economy and

Planning

• Discussions remain on-going

with respect to future working

arrangement between

institutions (e.g. for 3NC, BUR)

• A decision to undertake a BUR

has not been taken – and

remains the subject of internal

discussion within the Ministry

of Environment and with

CNCCMDL. Decision is

unlikely before outcome of

COP discussions on BURS


23

Activity

Capacity




(possibility for them to be

delayed for developing

countries) is known.

• It is clear that further building of

capacity and action on climate

change both within and across

institutions will have to work

within existing institutional

arrangements and cannot flex to

specifically meet new

requirements on climate change.

• A centralised approach and

system for managing relevant

data is not in place

• Similarly the understanding of

the flow of data/information

through institutions is unclear

and therefore not accessible

• Routine data exchange and

dissemination does not occur –

both within and between

institutions. Data may exist,

however, is often held by

individuals or specific

teams/departments without the

wider institutional ‘community’

being aware of it.


24

Activity

Capacity




• Significant lack of resources –

both in terms of number of

people and those with relevant

technical expertise across

sectors and institutions. Energy

sector is identified as a key gap.

• New Ministry of Energy and

Mining has recently been

created (August 2013). It is

unclear how the structures of

existing ministries will change to

accommodate this (e.g. CNE).

The role/ mandate of the new

Ministry are also unknown at

this point.

• Relationships/ liaison between

government institutions and the

private sector in obtaining

data/information can be

problematic. There is some

preconception that this will be

used to inform tax

processes/penalties for industry

rather than to support strategic

environmental policies. This

creates a ‘willingness barrier’ in


25

Activity

Capacity




relation to the provision of data

from industrial operators

• Strength – much greater

cooperation on process for

compiling 3NC in place and

being built than for previous

NC’s. A key focus of this is to

reduce reliance on external

consultants and experts.

Technical

• For example:

Data, data

management/

flow, QA/QC,

tools, systems,

processes,

M&E/MRV

• No specific skills for

compilation of GHGI

available within DR (previous

inventories largely compiled

by external consultants and

experts), although

understanding (and links with

relevant stakeholders) of

outline data requirements

known. This includes ability to

compile inventory data (to

UNFCCC/IPCC required

methodology/ standards) and

to develop a process for

compiling an inventory at the

strategic level (i.e. to still

• No data, structure, tools or

processes for developing or

maintaining MRV systems.

• Some data is available through

central compilation by the

National Office of Statistics.

This data is likely to lack

coverage, detail, relevance and

timeliness/repeatability to use

in supporting the

development/attribution of

MRV systems – although

provides a good start. A

process of assessing data

availability and usefulness for

this purpose has yet to be

initiated.

• Indicators,

processes/systems in place

for tracking both domestic

and donor climate funding

unclear

• Lack of holistic approach

for centralised

compilation and

management of data

required for GHGI, MRV

and climate finance

systems. Data often held

by individuals on an ad-

hoc basis and some

reticence in sharing this.

• Scope and specification of

data held by stakeholder

organisations unknown

• Specific requirements for

specific data and its timely

provision not in place


26

Activity

Capacity




involve external experts but to

‘own’ the inventory system)

• Significant gap on detailed

road transport information.

Particularly vehicle classes and

changes in this over time (e.g.

changing vehicle fuel use from

petrol to LPG does not

require any certification and is

therefore not recorded). Road

transport is a key sector for

mitigation action – and

particularly seeking to alter

composition of vehicle fleet.

• Strength – potential access to

NASA remote sensing data

for land-use for using in MRV.

Unclear the exact process,

cost, who is responsible and

latest status of this data for

DR though

• Strength – National Energy

Information System (CNE)

provides detailed data on

electricity generators

(capacity, generation type,

temporal production

information, etc). Likely to be

key dataset for monitoring


27

Activity

Capacity




Capability

• For example:

People,

knowledge, skills

• All previous expertise for

inventory compilation from

external consultants/ experts

– as a result few technical or

overarching inventory skills

are present in stakeholder

organisations

• 4 people are in place within

the Ministry of

Environment/Vice-Ministry

of Forestry/ Ministry of

Agriculture (compiling the

LULUCF Inventory) so

capability both specifically on

LULUCF and general

understanding of inventory

organisation/compilation

present. These 4 people are

therefore crucial to continued

capacity building within across

institutions involved.

• Lack of understanding of data

requirements – both in terms

of using existing datasets and

developing new ones – within

the National Office of

Statistics

• No MRV systems or

processes in place and work

has not been initiated to

develop this – therefore

unclear as to whether any

capability is present.

However, stakeholder

discussions suggest that any

skills are limited or non-

existent.

• Lack of understanding of data

requirements – both in terms

of using existing datasets and

developing new ones – within

the Office of Statistics

• No indication, from any

organisations, as to if/how

MRV will be considered in

forthcoming 3NC or BUR

processes.

• Experience of completing

NC’s in the past all from

external consultants or

internal staff have now moved

on therefore little

understanding of GHG

inventory, MRV and climate

finance systems available.

• General lack or very outline

understanding capability to

determine the various

components of a BUR/NC

and how these should be

phased to produce the final

output to meet UNFCCC

requirements.

• General lack of stakeholder

capability in understanding the

data requirements to underpin

compilation of an NC/BUR –

across GHG Inventory, MRV

and finance.

• Strength – thought has been

given to the process,

stakeholders and data

requirements to underpin the

3NC. An initial meeting of


28

Activity

Capacity




• Strength – established system

of field data collection in

agriculture sector providing

useful and detailed dataset to

underpin GHG Inventory.

stakeholders to further

explore this is planned for the

end of November. This action

is being coordinated by the

Ministry of Environment.


29

Appendix 6 – Workshop agenda

KICK-OFF AGENDA Information Matters:

Capacity Building for Ambitious Reporting and Facilitation of International Mutual Learning through Peer-to-Peer Exchange

DATE/TIME TOPIC/ACTIVITY SPEAKER

22 October Day 1

9:00 – 9:30 Arrival of participants and Registration

9:30 – 9:45 Opening ceremonies

Mrs. Zugeilly Coss, Focal Point in Dominican

Republic of the Project Information Matters. Event

Facilitator, Presentation of the Distinguished

Officials.

9:45 – 10:15 Opening remarks by Government of the Dominican Republic ,GIZ and UNDP

o Welcome keynote address

Mr. Omar Ramirez Tejada, Executive Vice-president of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism

o Opening remarks Oscar Zarzo, GIZ Germany

o Opening remarks Mrs. Maria Eugenia Morales, UNDP [Programa de Fomento de Capacidades en Desarrollo Bajo en Emisiones (LECB por sus siglas en inglés) y Programa de Apoyo a las Comunicaciones Nacionales (NCSP por sus siglas en inglés) del PNUD.

10:15-11:30 Presentation on the ongoing NAMA Initiatives in the Dominican Republic and the Global Information Matters Project

o Overview of climate mitigation initiatives in the Dominican Republic o Overview of ongoing NAMA development – waste, cement, tourism,

energy efficiency

Mr. Moises Alvarez, Technical Director, National Council for Climate Change and the Clean Development Mechanism


30


o Overview of the UNDP Low-Emission Capacity Building (LECB) Programme in the Dominican Republic

Mr. Federico Grullon, Officer of the Technical Department – National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism

o Overview of the BMU-supported Global Information Matters Project

- Introduction, organizational structure

- Terms of reference, schedule of deliverables, timelines

- Approach and methodology

- Collaboration with UNDP LECB Programme (global level)

Oscar Zarzo Adviser, GIZ Headquarters Ms. Sina Wartmann Country Lead for the Dominican Republic, Ricardo-AEA

11:30-11:45 Coffee Break

11:45-12:45 Presentation on the preliminary results of the Gap Analysis

o Background on the interviews with stakeholders from 14th to 18th October

o Discussions on preliminary results of the study mission – outlining major gaps and strengths identified from gap analysis

Ms. Sina Wartmann and Dr. Ross Hunter Ricardo-AEA

12:45-13:45 Lunch and Networking

13:45-15:00 Workshop Session 1: Validation of Gap Analysis results with stakeholders (split into subgroups)

o Introduction/ Instructions for workshop

o Challenge/validate, add ideas, group prioritise identified gaps o Consolidation of comments/suggestions and summarization

Ms. Sina Wartmann and Dr. Ross Hunter Ricardo-AEA (Introduction/instructions presentation)

15:00-15:15 Coffee Break

15:15-16:15 Reporting back to main group and discussion Working group facilitators

16:15-16:30 Day 1 Closing Remarks Mrs. Zugeilly Coss, Focal Point in Dominican Republic of the Project Information Matters. Event Facilitator


31


23 October Day 2

8:30-9:00 Arrival and (re)registration

9:15-09:30 Welcome to Day 2 Mrs. Zugeilly Coss, Focal Point in Dominican

Republic of the Project Information Matters. Event

Facilitator

9:30 – 11:00 Workshop Session 2: Development of Capacity Building Plan and Way Forward

o Introduction/ Instructions for workshop o Identify what capacity building is needed, for whom and by when

Ms. Sina Wartmann and Dr. Ross Hunter Ricardo-AEA (Introduction/instructions presentation)

11:00-11:15 Coffee break

11:15-12:00 Reporting back to main group and discussion Working group facilitators

12:00-12:30 Workshop Closing Remarks Mr. Omar Ramirez Tejada, Executive Vice-president of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism

12:30-14:00 Lunch and Networking


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Appendix 8 – Summary of the messages

from the breakout groups

The participants were grouped in three groups:

- MRV of inventories

- MRV of mitigation actions

- MRV of support

Each group was tasked to do the following sessions and present the results back in the plenary for the

participants and consultants to raise questions and/or clarifications.

a. Session 1

• Identify: Brainstorm on the relevant gaps you see in the area covered by your group. Compare them with

the gaps found by the project team.

• Cluster: Group themes and ideas together.

b. Session 2

• Prioritize: Select up to 6 gaps to prioritize for capacity building

• Build an action plan: Discuss the following points for each of the selected gaps:

o Measures required: for the selected gaps identify what capacity building or other action is needed

for whom.

o Timeframe: Indicate when the capacity building is needed (e.g. by June 2014, by December 2014,

or by June 2015.

o Interconnections: For each measure (capacity building or other action) suggested, indicate whether

there are connections to other measures suggested by your group that need to be considered.

Groups interpreted the above listed requirements slightly differently, and the information as well as level of

detail of the results reflect this fact. Measures suggested are not always related to support which the

Information Matters project can provide, but also address action required within the administration of the

Dominican Republic. These actions have to be understood as relevant framework conditions which have to

be taken to ensure the success of the project.

Results also differed depending on the level of knowledge of the stakeholders. While the participants of

Group 1 – GHG Inventory had a basic understanding of the technical requirements and could thus identify

gaps and measures at a higher level of detail, the remaining two groups lacked understanding of the subject

and thus provided more general – but nonetheless valuable! – results. The groups generally found they had

identified similar gaps as the project team, while often in less detail or framed slightly differently.


33

a) Results of session 1

Activity

Capacity

GHG inventory & MRV MRV of mitigation actions Tracking of domestic and international

climate finance

Institutional

• Legal, governance, co-

operation, timely

provision of data

• Lack of institutional policy continuity.

• Lack of institutional coordination

internally.

• Institutional duplicity.

• Limited institutional support.

• The capabilities are lost by changes in

authority (government changes,

substitution of directors).

• Lack of logistics and resources assigned

to these tasks.

• Weakness to collect information from

private actors.

• Include in strategic plans, collect

information relevant to the 7 sectors of

GHG inventories

- Leaders and decision makers lack knowledge on issues of Climate Change

- Trained personal in the field

- International coordination under a single department

- Training

- Lack of research

- Financial support

- Lack of local finance and more investigation

- Lack of logistical support for the verification of information

- There is no joint information / staff

- There is no reliable database; the available data includes duplications and irregularities

- There is not enough institutionalization of information systems for a MRV-system

Lack of institutional synergy and overlap of

responsibilities between agencies


34

Activity

Capacity

GHG inventory & MRV MRV of mitigation actions Tracking of domestic and international

climate finance

Technical

• Data, data

management/flow,

QA/QC, tools, systems,

processes, M&E/MRV

• Limited ability to create reports.

• There are, within institutions,

Weaknesses to coordinate and manage

database.

• Multiple methodological changes over

time and little update from who are

responsible for creating the data.

• Duplication of efforts and / or lack of

communication techniques within the

same institution units.

• Lack of reliable information sources.

• Experiences leak (few incentives for

training and working conditions)

• Weakness to systemically generate

statistical data and survey

methodologies

- Lack of control mechanisms

- Lack of monitoring equipment

- Lack of a chemical laboratory

- Lack of verification mechanisms

- No continuous knowledge transfer within the MRV system

- There is no reliable data on the impacts of mitigation

Lack of financial resources and

personnel to the implementation

Monitoring Reporting and Verification

of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation

Actions (NAMAs MRV).

Lack of clear mechanisms and

methodologies

Lack of knowledge on the topic of

decision makers.

Capability

• People, knowledge,

skills

• Major deficiencies in the technical

capabilities at the municipal, regional

and national levels.

• Delay in creating, processing and

dissemination of data.

• No continuity in the implementation of

projects, once the project is complete

(follow ups)

• No higher education programs in

Dominican Republic on this topic.

- Data base

- Coordination with other evaluating institutions

- Socialization of the problem

- Need for greater outreach to the average citizen knowledge, education

- Lack of workshops and courses for the development of capacities for MRV systems

- Data base and coordination with other evaluating institutions

- Lack of human resources

- Lack of workshops and courses

- No information continuity

- Lack of skills in the MRV

Staff training to stay long term.

Lack of development for technical

training.

Lack of Staff for "MRV of financial

support."

Higher education program taught by

recognized national academic

institutions.


35

b) Results of session 2

Group 1 - GHG Inventory

1. Improve Technical Training.

What actions / inputs are needed?

Budget Planning Equipment (software IPCC) and Computers Scenarios, modeling. Reporting (training) Experience "Peer to Peer."

For whom? Type of staff:

Specialists / Analysts / Technical Staff responsible full time (and full time) for the inventory

of "greenhouse gases" At the following institutions:

CNCCMDL

MARENA

CNE

INDHRI/CAASD

ONE

MINISTERIO AGRICULTURA

OPRET/ OTT

MINISTERIO DE INDUSTRIA Y COMERCIO

MINERIA

MEPyD

MINISTERIO DE HACIENDA (DGII/Customs)

BANCO CENTRAL

LMD/FEDOMU

ACADEMIA/ Universities

When?

1Q 2014

Are there interactions with these needs in other gaps identified? -Addressed in other section of this report.

2. Enhanced institutional support in logistics and economic - technical resources, including greater interagency coordination between stakeholders.


Establish interagency agreements, commitments and defining scope.

Creating a sectoral technical committee sensitized on the issue of inventory of greenhouse gases. It should be composed by CNCCMDL, MARENA, UNDP and representative institutions of the 7 key sectors for the "Inventory of Greenhouse Gases."


Decision Makers At the Following Institutions: • CNCCMDL • MARENA • UNDP -All institutions of Table 1 (above)

When?

After the signing of Interinstitutional Agreements 2Q 2014


3. Standardization of the Rules of measures (metrics) to avoid statistical weakness thus improving the methodology of collecting the data.


Last IPCC Guidelines / monitoring methodologies Software uniforms (specialized) (LEAD, ARCGIS

(LULUCF)). Create our own database for emission factors.

For who? Type of staff:

Specialists / Analysts / Technical Staff responsible full time (and full time) for the inventory

of "greenhouse gases"

At the following institutions:

CNCCMDL

MARENA

CNE

INDHRI/CAASD

ONE



36

OPRET/ OTT


MINERIA

MEPyD

MINISTERIO DE HACIENDA (DGII/Aduanas)

BANCO CENTRAL

LMD/FEDOMU

ACADEMIA/ Universidades

When?

After the signing of Interinstitutional Agreements 2Q 2014


4. Continuity of Government Policies.


Strengthen the legal and institutional framework including the administrative career (working at the public sector)

Standardization of technical profiles.


Decision Makers At the following institutions:

CNCCMDL

MARENA

CNE

INDHRI/CAASD

ONE


OPRET/ OTT


MINERIA

MEPyD


BANCO CENTRAL

When?

Include it in the Interinstitutional Agreements 2Q 2014


5. Inclusion in sectorial strategic plans the relevant information related to the 7 sectors present in the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory.


Raise awareness among high-level officials of the institutions

Must have resources allocated to maintain the database. This, through a strategy of national GHG inventories.

For whom?

MEPyD, responsible of the National Planning.

CNCCMDL

MARENA

CNE

INDHRI/CAASD

ONE


OPRET/ OTT


MINERIA


BANCO CENTRAL

When?




37

6. Retraso en el procesamiento y difusión de la data


Creating Database Include in the institutional arrangement of inter-flow data. Designate staff to disseminate the data.

For whom?

Operative staff / technical staff / collectors-authorizations and permissions information. In particular:

CNCCMDL

MARENA

CNE

INDHRI/CAASD

ONE


OPRET/ OTT


MINERIA

MEPyD


BANCO CENTRAL

When?



Group 2: MRV of Mitigation Actions

•Institutional Level -Lack of institutional synergy even within institutions -Duplicity of work (working in silos)

What actions / inputs are needed? Identification of actors and definition of structures and roles

- Revision and discussion of ideas of the structure

- Who?

For whom?

- Decision makers - CNCCMDL - Ministries (Environment, Agriculture, Tourism,

Industry, Energy…) - Academic Institutions - NGOs - Communities

When?

1Q2014


1. Technical Level

no standard processes, lack of approaches/methodology

- Lack of data have to be identified and priorities have to be set, indicators have to be identified(type, scale, data requirements)

What actions / inputs are needed? Facilitation of knowledge

- Facilitation workshops

Decision makers , sensitisation

Technical training for executors

-

For whom?

- Ministers, Vice ministers and CNCCMDL and/or general directors Technical personal of the ministries, NGOs and higher education

When?

2nd Trimester 2014



38

2. Nivel de Capacitación Requerida

- Lack of knowledge at the decision tacking level and by all stakeholders (at all levels)

- Lack of economic and human recourses for the development of MRV

- Lack of training on MRV

Necessary action a) Facilitation of knowledge


- Facilitation workshops

Decision makers , sensitisation

Technical training for executors

- Ministers, Vice ministers and CNCCMDL and/or general directors Technical personal of the ministries, NGOs and higher education

- 2nd Trimester 2014

Interaction, sensitisation and structures

For whom?

- Decision makers - CNCCMDL - Ministries (Environment, Agriculture, Tourism,

Industry, Energy…) - Academic Institutions - NGOs - Communities

When? - 1st trimester 2014


Necessary action b) Human and financial resources


- Identification and revision

For whom?

- CNCCMDL and Ministries

When?

- -1st Trimester 2014


Required action c) Activities for enhancement of training


Continuity in the processes

Documentation

Quality control

Supervision and feedback

Ownership of the processes and the information

For whom? All

Group 3: MRV of support

3. Institutional Level


Must be a single responsible institution to create a comprehensive database.

A legal framework should be established. We need to know what to monitor. We must monitor what the needs of each sector or

institution. We must monitor what is done with the funds. It should include civil society in the management and access

to funds. Funds should be delivered according to the guideline of the National Development Strategy.

Control of all responsible institutions know what to monitor, review and validate.

There is a need to strengthen the capacities of each of the sectors, urgently.

For whom?

Specialists / Analysts / Technicians from all institutions.

When?

1Q 2014



39

4. Technical Level


Ability to channel the funds required. Identify and delineate the responsibilities

Automated Information Systems. Use of general matrices to work, streamlining the answers,

if there’s any change among the personnel within the project.

For whom?


When?

1Q 2014


5. Level of Technical Capacity


Workshops on project feasibility. Everyone who has any link to climate change should be

trained in all levels of responsibility.

For whom?


Suggestions for Next Steps

a. The results of the workshop will be used on the drafting of the concept note for presentation and discussion with the stakeholders (prepared by Ricardo-AEA, submitted to CNCCMDL by November 26). A work plan will be attached to the final concept note for validation with all involved stakeholders.

b. CNCCMDL and GIZ Dominican Republic to consult with stakeholders on suggested capacity building options– by early December 2013

c. CNCCMDL, GIZ and Ricardo-AEA to agree a package of capacity building that fits within the Information Matters project budget, and to agree the technical scope and format of the capacity building delivered (e.g. in country or back stopping) – by mid December 2013. Any high priority capacity building needs that are not covered by Information Matters would need to seek additional funding from other sources.

d. CNCCMDL, GIZ and Ricardo-AEA to agree the timing of the capacity building plan which will start in early 2014 – by mid December 2013.

Appendix 9 – Presentations from the kick-off workshop The presentations given at the kick off workshop have been embedded in this Appendix, and can be opened by double clicking

on picture of the front page. There are four presentations:

Visión General de las Iniciativas de Mitigación del Cambio Climático y Desarrollo de NAMAs en la República

Dominicana, Moises Alvarez, CNCCMDL

Descripción general del programa de fortalecimiento de la capacidad – Tercera Comunicación Nacional del Cambio

Climático- en la República Dominicana, Federico Grullon, CNCCMDL

Desarrollo de capacidades a través del intercambio entre pares, para la información ambiciosa y la facilitación del aprendizaje mutuo internacional, Oscar Zarzo, GIZ

Methodology of the gap analysis, and overview of the results of the facilitated group discussions. Sina Wartmann and Dr. Ross Hunter, Ricardo-AEA.

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Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Sitz der Gesellschaft Bonn und Eschborn

Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5 65760 Eschborn/Deutschland T +49 61 96 79-0 F +49 61 96 79-11 15 E [email protected]

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Documents

Kick-Off Mission Report: Dominican Republic · Information Matters: Dominican Republic. Kick-Off Mission Report 2 Resumen ejecutivo La GIZ en nombre del Ministerio Alemán de Medio