How to engage strategically?
Engaging in Article 6 requires strategic decisions about how to comply with the international participation requirements and to define what an effective and comprehensive participation in Article 6 means for the country. Consequently, understanding the national starting point is a fundamental initial step when engaging in Article 6. Active engagement in Article 6 necessitates close collaboration with project developers, international partners, including buyers and providers of technical assistance, as well as other relevant stakeholders to establish a pipeline of activities within the country.
What is the national starting point?
Understanding the national starting point is the foundation for informed decision-making throughout the engagement process to ensure that Article 6 activities are aligned with the national context, needs and priorities. The regulatory landscape, administrative capacities, and available resources need to be assessed to tailor the approach to Article 6 according to the country circumstances. A clear understanding of the mitigation target(s) of the NDC, as well as monitoring and reporting processes in the country is particularly important, as these are cross-cutting aspects for Article 6 operationalisation. Additionnaly, having an overview of past and ongoing carbon market activities, and relevant stakeholders in the country will prove highly relevant for effective participation.
Countries should identify capacity gaps and take advantage of existing initiatives within the landscape of ongoing Article 6 capacity development to address their technical needs. The NDC Partnership has developed an interactive tool that supports countries in identifying existing capacities and support priorities
Access the Art. 6 Readiness ToolkitCountries should identify capacity gaps and take advantage of existing initiatives within the landscape of ongoing Article 6 capacity development to address their technical needs.
Download Checklist on Mapping CapacitiesA well-coordinated Article 6 engagement requires the identification and the mapping of key national, subnational, local, and international stakeholders involved in governing Article 6.
Download Information Note on Mapping StakeholdersFor government stakeholders, understanding the stages of Article 6 activities is essential for gaining deeper insights into a country’s mitigation efforts through collaborative approaches and for effectively engaging interested parties.
Download Information Note on Stages of Article 6 ActivitiesPerspectives Climate Group (2022): Capacity building for Article 6 cooperation: The way forward
Perspectives Climate Group (2021): Promoting Article 6 readiness in NDCs and NDC implementation plans
Climate Focus (2021): Article 6 readiness in West Africa: Scoping Study
Which strategic decisions are required to engage with Article 6?
This section provides materials on how to go about deciding upon crucial components that will shape a country’s Article 6 strategy, delineating the scope and specifying the type of engagement sought in cooperative approaches.
Strategic decisions on involvement in Article 6 can be influenced by diverse priorities and objectives. It is essential to periodically reassess these factors to ensure the strategy for Article 6 engagement remains up to date.
Download Information Note on Determining Strategic ObjectivesThe design of a country’s Article 6 strategy should be in line with its NDC and its respective NDC implementation plan (if available) to ensure coherence. Therefore, the country’s NDC should serve as a starting point when formulating the Article 6 strategy.
Download Information Note on Aligning the Article 6 Strategy with a Country’s NDCAs sustainable development is a national prerogative, host countries need to provide guidance on how Article 6 activities align with and contribute to sustainable development. There are various approaches to address SD objectives, along with tools available for monitoring their impacts.
Download Information Note on Sustainable Development ObjectivesGGGI (2023): Developing an Article 6 host party strategy
German Environmental Agency (2020): Considerations for Article 6 engagement: the host country perspective
How to engage with national and international stakeholders around Article 6?
Stakeholder participation is a good practice requirement for the success of cooperative approaches and mandated under the Article 6.4 mechanism. Embracing global collaboration is paramount in the development of Article 6 activities. In addition, engaging with international partners plays a pivotal role as they can act both as ITMO buyers and providers of technical assistance and capacity building support.
Download List of Capacity Building Initiatives to Engage with International Partners
ICAT (2020): Stakeholder Participation Guide