About the Programme:

The Mutual Learning Programme (MLP) is a cooperation between CBIT-GSP and IGES. The MLP aims to improve the understanding of developing countries on how to apply the reporting guidance under Article 6 and explore improvement areas of next reporting to UNFCCC.

MLP helps countries learn how to prepare this reporting practically. Since 2020 the Programme provided support to 24 countries including Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Moldova who joined the program in 2023. MLP added value to the capacity building support in addition to the targeted training exercises which was organized by the CBIT-GSP and UNEP-CCC on deep-diving of NDC tracking for mitigation actions.

MLP Objectives:

• To understand the structure and reporting elements of the common tabular formats (CTFs)
• To conduct brainstorming and exercise to practice how to complete the CTFs
• To identify any additional information or data needed
• To consider a national system for tracking progress in implementing and achieving NDCs

The Methodology:

MLP provides support to the countries of Eurasia, Central Asia and the Caucasus on reporting of mitigation actions under the Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. Learning exercises foresee capacity building and self-learning on NDC tracking, namely, on filling in selected CTF tables (1, 2 and 5) and development of the assessment methodology. The work mode is online (from Jul. 2023- Jan. 2024), and the support is provided in parallel to two groups of countries: 

• Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Japan
• Georgia and Moldova, Japan

Up to date, two meetings were held:

1. Kick-off meetings – July 2023: 

• Introduction of participants and MLP
• Explanation of schedule and a First Exercise: Filling a CTF-5: Mitigation policies and measures, actions and plans (Energy sector)

1. Main meetings – October 2023: 

• Presentation of the first exercise by the countries
• Explanation of answers to questions and discussion
• Introduction for Second Exercise: Development of CTF 1 (description of selected indicators) and CTF-2 (definitions needed to understand NDC)

1. Follow-up meetings – January 2024:

• Presentation of the Second Exercise 
• Review of the program and discussion for the next step

Kick-off meetings: July 5, 2023 (group: Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Japan) and July 12, 2023 (group: Georgia, Moldova and Japan). The kick-off meetings were held online. Total 48 participants from four countries and Japan attended the both meetings. 

At the meeting the countries

1. Were introduced with the Mutual Learning Programme (MLP) and discussed the objectives, process, and schedule of the MLP 2023‐2024, including guidelines on how to conduct the first exercise (i.e., Filling a Common Tabular Format (CTF-5) for reporting mitigation actions in the energy sector)
2. Shared their status of institutional settings and national systems for tracking the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), that includes mitigation actions in each sector.
3. Presented and discussed their situation on GHG inventory and energy sector (summary and estimated of emissions and removals until 2030, targets for GHG reduction, national concepts to track progress, NDC tracking tools etc.). 
4. The MLP provided guidelines and templates for the First Exercise, on how to fill in the CTF table 5 with data and information on mitigation actions (MA) for the country’s energy sectors, but also template to describe methodologies and assumptions used to estimate the GHG emission reductions due to each MA reported in CTF 5. The countries, afterwards, where given some time to submit their assignments and pursue reviews of each other documents, and submit their completed reviews to IGES/CBIT-GSP.

Main meetings: October 3, 2023.  (Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Japan) and October 11, 2023 (Georgia, Moldova and Japan). The meetings were held online, and 36 participants attended the both events. 

At the meeting the countries:

1. Presented the results of the First Exercise fill in the CTF table 5 with data and information on mitigation actions (MA) in the energy sector, 
2. Described and discussed methodologies and assumptions used to estimate the GHG emission reductions due to each MA reported in CTF 5, including gaps and challenges
3. Introduced with the content and schedule of the Second Exercise: the development of CTF1 (description of selected indicators) and CTF2 (definitions needed to understand NDC).

The follow-up meeting, on January 18th, 2024, aimed to bring all participating countries together: Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan-Japan-Georgia-Moldova. 

At the meeting the countries:

1. Presented the results of the Second Exercise fill in the CTF table 1 and CTF table 2 with data and information on mitigation actions (MA) in the energy sector, 
2. Discussed each other countries contribution and clarified questions raised during the exercise 2.
3. Exchanged on lessons and next steps as well as discussed the way how the MLP programme helped them to get ready for BTR development.     

Key messages and conclusions:

• Energy sector is one of the most important sectors for mitigation and economy, as the most GHG emitting one,
• In overall, the most of the country’s mitigation measures are related to energy sector, 
• Countries selected the Energy Sector for pursuing the exercises because they have access to data and information on strategic development priorities of their Energy Sector,
• Institutional setting for tracking NDC implementation has been developed within the all MLP participating countries,       
• Status of development of a national MRV systems differs among the countries (e.g. online systems, systems for NDC tracking), 
• Japan is pioneering on NDC tracking process, and has established a solid system for monitoring its indicators on mitigation actions on the whole energy system,
• Some challenges that countries are facing within the context of preparation of their first BTRs are: lack of capacities (qualified experts), completion CTF in line with some new provisions, and issues of data collection,
• Entire process of preparation of BTR1 is challenging but experience from BUR and NCs will be of help,
• The main lesson learned was that the countries were pretty confident in filling in the CTF 5, however, for methodologies and assumptions of mitigations actions took much more time to think and elaborate on the answers. The main take-away from Uzbekistan was that the country uses the methodologies and estimate tools, which were established for CDM projects, 
• Review exercise was very useful as it gave the countries an opportunity to learn their mistakes and elaborate on details for CTF 5 and methodology assessment.

Areas for improvement: 

• Assurance that double counting is avoided 
• Emission reductions in 2035 and 2040 are not estimated 
• Not all rationale, assumptions, methods, and data are transparent 
• Comparisons of reductions are inconsistent (e.g., vs BAU, 2013, 2012, before 2012…)
• Overlap of emission reductions between MAs (Renewables and electricity saving in the demand sector)
• Clarification on Emission Factors (EFs) and methodology to derive EFs
• Clarity on equation for estimating emission reduction

On December 4th, 2023, within the COP-28 UNFCCC, CBIT-GSP and RECC organized a dedicated side-event on MLP and shared lessons learned from the Mutual Learning Programme for Enhanced Transparency Frameworks (MLP ETF) on Article 13 of the Paris Agreement by countries of Eurasia, Central Asia and the Caucasus, and to explore the opportunities for further collaboration. Key take-away messages from the side-event are available.