Review of the Embassy’s Development Assistance Portfolio: Climate Change and Environment (Angola)

""Climate Proofing and Greening of the Portfolio"

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Summary of conclusions and recommendations

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Luanda, Angola, (the Embassy) has requested Norad to undertake a review of the Embassy's portfolio to identify possible ways and means of addressing and integrating appropriate climate change and environmental concerns in the current agreements within present framework and budgets, and for possible future phases of the various programs and project. This review contributes to "climate proofing" and a "greening" of the Embassy's portfolio. This report addresses possibilities to integrate environmental and climate change concerns in existing agreements by:

1. Identifying and avoiding harmful direct and indirect environmental impacts of programs in the different sectors which can undermine sustainability and counteract achieving the development co-operation objectives of the program - "do no harm";
2. Recognizing and realizing opportunities for enhancing environmental conditions, thereby bringing additional benefits to development and economic activities and advancing environmental issues that are a priority for Norway - "do good"; and
3. Undertaking climate change risk assessment of programs and providing recommendations on how the Embassy can integrate climate change aspects in programs and projects, as well as in its policy dialogue with the Government of Angola (GoA) and cooperation partners - i.e. "climate proofing" of the portfolio.

Conclusions and Recommendations

1. Climate change and environment is emerging on the agenda in Angola

Climate change and environment is currently not high on the political or civil society agenda in Angola. This is in large parts attributed to the post-conflict situation, limited institutional capacity and primary focus on reconstruction and development. However, recently the Government has taken steps which indicate a more proactive focus on environment and climate change,
manifested through the President's speech in the UN General Assembly, ratification of UNFCCC and active participation at the Bali meeting.

Angola, due to its position as one of Africa's key petroleum producing countries, has an important role to play, both within OPEC and within Africa. Angola could play a key role in developing Africa's position on the future international climate change regime. The Embassy should therefore follow closely the development of Angola's climate change policy and the country's position in international climate change negotiations (as requested in the Annual Letter), building on support to the energy and petroleum sector. The Embassy needs to proactively include climate change and environment in policy and program dialogues.

2. The EIA system in Angola is dysfunctional.

The environmental institutions and the required legal framework is by and large in place, however, the capacity is extremely weak and enforcement is generally lacking. Most of the legal framework for environmental impact
assessment (EIA) is in place, several specific decrees have been enacted, however, coordination among involved entities and enforcement seem overall to be weak.

The Embassy is well-positioned to assist Angola in strengthening the EIA system in certain areas through the support to the fisheries, petroleum and energy sectors.

3. Growing civil society awareness, albeit from a low level

Strengthening civil society and research and education could be effective mechanisms to raise awareness and enhance knowledge on climate change in Angola. Furthermore, NGOs play a key role in identifying
local coping and adaptation strategies, especially in rural areas.

Strengthening the research capacity and ensuring that issues related to climate change are addressed in schools could also be effective long-term mechanisms. Through several of the Norwegian supported development programs, for example through the broad civil society support program operated by the Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA), a platform for dialogue and exchange of views has been established, most notably within the petroleum and fisheries sector.

The Embassy is well positioned to facilitate and broker a dialogue between key ministries - petroleum (MINPET), environment (MINUA) and fisheries (MINP).

4. A five pronged strategy to climate change is being prepared

The GoA is now developing a five-pronged climate change strategy which will form the basis for future actions. This includes preparation of the first national communication to UNFCCC, a National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA), preparation of a national action plan, establishment of a National Designated Authority (NDA) and a national carbon fund.

5. Promote active use of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

Angola has a potential for attracting CDM finance for a number of the new energy projects as well as projects within the petroleum sector, either under the current CDM scheme up to 2012, or under a potential new "CDM scheme" past 2012.

The main bottleneck for CDM financing in Angola is the establishment of the NDA. Through the planned support to the power and petroleum sector, Norway could make a significant contribution to developing the CDM mechanism in Angola.

The possibility for investment by the Norwegian Ministry of Finance (CarbonNeutral Norway) should also be followed up and explored by the Embassy.

6. Comprehensive environmental monitoring is lacking

Angola lacks a reliable comprehensive environmental monitoring network, including a basic hydro meteorological observation system. Norway is supporting the establishment of a marine monitoring program with a main focus on assessing environmental impacts of the petroleum industry.

Through the "Dr. Fr. Nansen program" relevant environmental and climate data have been collected. However, these data have not been comprehensively analyzed. Norway could support an effort to analyze existing data with a view to developing a baseline for future monitoring of climate change in the region.

This could also form the basis for establishing closer cooperation between the member countries of the Benguela and Guinea Currents Commissions on issues related to climate change and changes in the marine environment, including on fisheries.

7. Current climatic variability needs to be addressed through concerted actions

Floods and droughts already cause severe consequences in parts of Angola and the emergency preparedness system is not able to cope with the existing climate variability. Norway has previously provided support through UNDP to establish civil defense, however more support is required.

The situation in Luanda clearly demonstrates that local authorities and
the people are not equipped to even deal with normal rainfalls. Therefore Angola needs to take action to reduce the risk, exposure and vulnerability of people to climatic events, both in urban and rural areas.

8. Current portfolio - scope to "do good"

There are environmental elements in several of the projects supported and there is scope to increase efforts to "do good". The review has suggested a menu of options to strengthen the environmental and climate change issues
in the reviewed projects and programs.

9. "Do no harm" adequately addressed

The review has not found that any project or program in the portfolio should have been subject to an EIA. However, the Embassy should report more clearly in the Appropriation Documents (AD) on environmental issues.

10. The Embassy is likely to play a key role in the Norwegian Forest (Carbon) Initiative

The Embassy due to its regional role covering DRC, Congo Brazzaville and Gabon may play a key role in the Norwegian forest initiative. Such an engagement would require a substantial reinforcement of the Embassy's staff resources. Also the Embassy would have to establish close cooperation with Norad and with other embassies in the region.

Overall, the review has demonstrated that there is scope to address/integrate appropriate environmental concerns in the current agreements within present framework and budgets, and for possible future phases of the various programs. There is scope to increase climate change and environment-related development cooperation with Angola without developing a specific environment sector program through more active integration of climate change and environment in the various phases of the program management cycle.