On developing a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) proposal: discussion paper

In 2007, the Bali Action Plan introduced Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) as a central concept for a new international climate regime (UNFCCC, 2008). Countries are currently trying to agree on how support for NAMAs can be realised and 47 countries have submitted proposed NAMAs (in more or less detail) to the UNFCCC in the first half of 2011 (UNFCCC, 2011a).To move forward on NAMAs, towards implementation and mobilising support, there is a need for clarity on how to develop a NAMA proposal and how to attract financing. The questions addressed in this discussion paper are: what steps should a Party take to develop a NAMA proposal, and what is the role of different stakeholders in each of these steps? This paper begins with a brief overview of the current status of the NAMA concept and the main open questions, followed by a discussion on developing a NAMA proposal in four initial steps.