Questions & Answers about GCCA

1. What is the GCCA?

The Global Climate change Alliance (GCCA) is an initiative of the European Commission initiated in September 2007 to enhance cooperation and support from the European Union, (EU) towards developing countries most vulnerable to climate change, in particular Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDs)

2. Why was the GCCA created?

Scientific data and projections on the effects of climate change show that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will suffer the earliest and hardest from climate change. Moreover these countries have the fewest resources to prepare for these alterations, which will further delay the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Against this background, the European Union proposed the GCCA to lead EU support and cooperation to these developing countries, so as to tackle the combined challenge of poverty and climate change.

3. How will the GCCA enhance cooperation and support to developing countries in particular LDCs and SIDs

the support to developing countries is guided by and based on two pillars:

• Dialogue and exchange of experiences on addressing climate change between the EU and these countries. The joint declarations resulting from this dialogue will feed into discussions on a post- 2012 climate agreement under the United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change.
• Avail resources for adaptation and the achievement of poverty reduction and mitigation plans.

4. How will this support to developing countries be provided?

Five focal areas for cooperation with developing countries have been identified, these are;

• Support country efforts to adapt to the effects of climate change, particularly in the water and agriculture sectors, considered vital for the most vulnerable
• Reduce emissions from deforestation which contribute 20% to the global greenhouse gas emissions and in developing countries contribute 62% of total emissions.
• Enhance participation of these countries in the global carbon market through the Clean Development Mechanism(CDM) which has potential to bring significant investment to poor countries
• Promote Disaster Risk Reduction by assisting the country's most prone to disasters to build their capacities to prepare for and mitigate natural disasters.
• Finally by supporting the integration of climate change into county poverty reduction efforts

5. How does GCCA differ from other initiatives on climate change?

The GCCA seeks to compliment other initiatives involved in supporting developing countries to address climate change. Whenever appropriate, the GCCA will make use of existing regional dialogue structures and partnerships such as the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) group, the African Union (AU), SIDs and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and further support south -South dialogue.  

6. Who is eligible for GCCA support and how the countries are selected.

Participation in the GCCA is intended for those countries committed to taking measures to respond to climate change

7. Which countries have been selected for GCCA support?

Eight countries have been selected for GCCA support in 2010 these are Belize, Mozambique, Nepal, Solomon Islands, Ethiopia, Malawi, Gambia and finally Sierra Leone

8. What are some of the activities that will be implemented by the GCCA?

In 2010, four  regional conferences will be organized in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and in the Caribbean to prepare for COP 16 in Mexico,where a post- 2012 climate agreement is anticipated. The GCCA countries will also each benefit from a series of in-country training workshops to enhance knowledge and skills required in the country. In addition a technical support team is available to guide the countries draw up policies that address climate change.

9. How does GCCA  implement these activities?

A GCCA Support Facility (GSF) has been set up and is tasked to promote and facilitate an efficient implementation of GCCA actions in the countries and regions. Mostly through capacity building, the Support Facility will promote the better integration of climate change into national /regional development strategies.

10. What is the extent of the funding available to developing countries under the GCCA?

The European Commission is making available EUR 60 Million in addition to the EUR 49 Million for the period 2008-2010. In addition a significant share of geographic funding also serves the initiative like EUR 40 Million under the Intra-ACP is ear marked for the GCCA as well as EUR 100 Million for disaster risk reduction. Furthermore EU member states are also expected to contribute resources to this initiative.