Expert networks as science-policy interlocutors in the implementation of a monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) system

doi:10.1007/s11708-018-0559-x

Front. Energy

2018, Vol. 12

Issue (3) : 376-388 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-018-0559-x

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Expert networks as science-policy interlocutors in the implementation of a monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) system

Remi CHANDRAN¹(

), Tsuyoshi FUJITA¹, Minoru FUJII¹, Shuichi ASHINA¹, Kei GOMI¹, Rizaldi BOER², Muhammad ARDIANSYAH², Seiya MAKI¹

¹. Center for Social and Environmental System Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
². Centre for Climate Risk and Opportunity Management in Southeast Asia and Pacific (CCROM-SEAP), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Bogor, Indonesia

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Abstract

The Paris Agreement, which entered into effect in 2016, emphasizes a definite timeline for communicating and maintaining successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that it plans to achieve in addressing climate change. This calls for the development of a measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) system and a Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT). Though such actions are universally accepted by the Parties to the Paris Agreement, earlier studies have shown that there remain technological, social, political and financial constrains which will affect the development and deployment of such a system. In this paper, using a case study on MRV implementation in Bogor City in Indonesia, how the above-mentioned challenges can be overcome is outlined through a technological and policy innovation process where scientists and technologists (collectively referred as expert networks) can join hands with local governments and national policy makers in designing, development and implementation of an MRV system that meets the local, national and global requirements. Through the case study it is further observed that expert networks can act as interactive knowledge generators and policy interlocutors in bridging technology with policy. To be specific, first, a brief history of the international context of MRV and CBIT is outlined. Next, the theoretical underpinning of the study is contextualized within the existing theories related to public policy and international relations. Finally, the case study is outlined and investigated where the engagement of an expert-network and policy makers in the design, development and implementation of an MRV tool is showcased.

Keywords MRV CBIT UNFCCC Indonesia Japan ICT based monitoring climate policy

Corresponding Author(s): Remi CHANDRAN

Just Accepted Date: 26 March 2018 Online First Date: 21 May 2018 Issue Date: 05 September 2018

Cite this article:

Remi CHANDRAN,Tsuyoshi FUJITA,Minoru FUJII, et al. Expert networks as science-policy interlocutors in the implementation of a monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) system[J]. Front. Energy, 2018, 12(3): 376-388.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/10.1007/s11708-018-0559-x
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/Y2018/V12/I3/376

COP meetings	Decisions	Main outcome
COP 13, Bali	The Bali Action Plan (COP 13) introduced the concepts of Measurable, Reportable, Verifiable (MRV) and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) into the global negotiations	MRV and NAMA were introduced
COP 16, Cancun	The Cancun agreements clearly recognize a need for a work program to clarify and operationalize issues like design of the registry, international rules on MRV and improved greenhouse gas emissions reports from non-Annex I parties	Consensus in the development of an MRV
COP 17, Durban	UNFCCC decided to launch a process to develop a protocol, another, legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties	Legal process toward development of an MRV
COP 18, Doha	General guidelines for domestic measurement, reporting and verification of domestically supported nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing country Parties	Guidelines for MRV implementation
COP 19, Warsaw	Parties were invited to initiate or intensify domestic preparations for their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) and to communicate them well in advance of COP 21 (by the first quarter of 2015 by those Parties ready to do so), in a manner that facilitates the clarity, transparency and understanding of the intended nationally determined contributions	The data from national MRV’s and Models to set standards for INDC by national governments
COP 20, Lima	Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) will form the foundation for climate action post 2020 when the new agreement is set to come into effect	INDC will form the foundation for post 2020 climate action
COP 21, Paris	Paris Agreement (Paragraph 84) decided to establish a Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) to build institutional and technical capacity (both pre- and post-2020”) primarily to support developing country Parties, upon request, in meeting enhanced transparency requirements as defined in Article 13 of the Agreement in a timely manner	The objective of CBIT is to (a) strengthen national institutions for transparency-related activities in line with national priorities (b) provide relevant tools, training and assistance for meeting the provisions stipulated in Article 13 of the Agreement (c) assist in the improvement of transparency over time

Tab.1 Decisions related to MRV and CBIT at various UNFCCC COP meetings

Fig.1 A policy solution framework for MRV implementation

Fig.2 Research design and methodology formulated for interpretive, naturalistic approach research (practice approach) and used in studying science-policy interfaces (the methodology is modified from Kunseler & Tuinstra [⁷])

Fig.3 Interaction of the expert-network in a bilateral science-policy linkage process

Fig.4 Map showing the energy monitoring locations and the number of points monitored in Bogor City (Source: National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan)

Fig.5 Installation process of the MRV system in Bogor City (Source: National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan)

Fig.6 Low carbon scenario simulation as knowledge diffusion utilizing MRV system (Source: National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan)

Fig.7 Framework for the development of low carbon policy pathways by integrating data from MRV systems with prediction models

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