GREENHOUSE-GAS MITIGATION STRATEGIES - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS FROM THE US COUNTRY STUDIES PROGRAM

Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), developi ng and transition countries are eventually required to report greenhou se gas (GHG) emissions inventories and response (mitigation) options. The United States (US) and other donors are providing financial and te chnical support for climate change country studies to help meet their needs under the UNFCCC. Technical assistance to complete mitigation as sessments includes training of analysts, sharing of contemporary tools and assessment techniques, implementation of information-sharing work shops, and an exchange program for analysts. Country analysts have acc ess to more than 25 analytical tools to help them complete their GHG m itigation assessments. Preliminary assessments suggest that GHG stabil ization strategies should focus on fossil-fuel combustion, the primary source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and on forest management to sequester or conserve carbon (C). In selected countries, mitigation o f methane (CH4) emissions from rice paddy, livestock production, and w aste management are also considered relevant response options. Strengt hening of human and institutional capacity to cope with global climate change issues will provide developing and transition countries with a sustained basis for meeting the goals of the UNFCCC.