Republic of Macedonia and Climate Change

Teodora O. Grncarovska, M.Sc, UNFCCC Focal Point

Chronology

• In In 1998 1998 Republic of Macedonia became a party to the Republic of Macedonia became a party to the UN Convention on Climate ChangeUN Convention on Climate Change

• In JanuaryIn January 2000 2000, the Climate Change Project Office was , the Climate Change Project Office was set up within the Ministry of Environment and Physical set up within the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, Planning, financially supported by UNDP-GEFfinancially supported by UNDP-GEF

• In March In March 20032003, Republic of Macedonia adopted the First , Republic of Macedonia adopted the First National Communication on Climate Change National Communication on Climate Change andand submitted it to the UNFCCC Secretariatsubmitted it to the UNFCCC Secretariat. Preparation on . Preparation on Second National Communication is ongoing processSecond National Communication is ongoing process

• In In 20042004 Republic of Macedonia ratified the Kyoto Republic of Macedonia ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC and became party in 2005Protocol to the UNFCCC and became party in 2005

Chronology

• June 2006, Governmental Decision for nomination on MoEPP as Designated National Authority (DNA)

• January 2006, established joint office between relevant Macedonian and Italian environmental ministries –continued activities for technical and legal support of the Macedonian DNA

Levels of activities

• Institutional

• Strategic

• Legislative

• Bilateral, multilateral

• Technical

UNDP-GEF

International Experts/Institutions

Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning

UNDP

Climate Change Project Office

Lead National Institutions

NCCC

Academic sector Private sectorNGOs

Independent Experts

Media

DNA under the MoEPP-Single Model Ministry

Figure 1 DNA structure in Macedonia

Ministry of Environment andPhysical Planning

DNA SecretariatDepartment of Sustainable

Development

CDM ExecutiveBoard

Technical ReviewMinistry ofEconomy

Technical ReviewMinistry of

Agriculture, Forestry& Water Supply

Technical ReviewMinistry of

Transport andCommunication

Written Opinion onApproval Letter

Sectoral Ministry (Agric,Econ, or Trans)

Ministry of FinanceMinistry of Foreign Affairs

Technical ReviewMinistry of Finance

Technical Advisory/Working GroupProvides written opinion on CDM projects

Strategic level

• National Strategy for SD (on-going): Energy and Climate Change identified as key contributor towards SD

• Second NEAP identified problems and solutions in climate changes

• First National Communication on Climate Changes including chapters on inventories, projections, vulnerability assessment, mitigation options, etc adopted

• National Strategy for the CDM for the first commitment period 2008-2012 under Kyoto Protocol was adopted in February 2007

• National Strategy on environmental investments (on-going), carbon financing recognized as potential tool for attracting investments

Legislative level Law on Environment

Climate change issues are incorporated in the Law on Environment, including details on:

• preparation of inventories of GHG emissions and removals by sinks

• action plan on measures and activities to abate increase of GHG emissions and to mitigate adverse impacts of climate change.

• an Article on Clean Development Mechanism is introduced into the amended Law

Bilateral cooperation

The Ministry of Environment and PhysicalPlanning has signed two Memorandums ofUnderstanding on implementation ofprojects in compliance with the cleandevelopment mechanism of the KyotoProtocol with the:• Republic of Italy (August 2005) • Republic of Slovenia(July 2006)

Multilateral cooperation

• Memorandum of Understanding for carbon financing under MDG signed between the Government of the R. Macedonia (through the MoEPP) and the UNDP (December 2007)

Technical level

• Pipeline of potential identified projects can be find on:

www.moepp.gov.mk

Major constraints in The Republic of Macedonia to regulate or promote CDM

Most potential project developers in Macedonia arecurrently unaware of CDM and the opportunities it canprovide. Priority actions:• Raise awareness of key potential project developers on CDM • Develop capacities and knowledge within different stakeholders

(ministries, local authorities, business sector, NGOs, industry…)• Mobilize external technical assistance to support local project

developers • Promote exchange of experience and lessons learnt on CDM

project development• Develop necessary sub-legislation