The OML Center, represented by Luigi Toda, attended the kickoff workshop for the Information Matters: Capacity Building for [Ambitious] Reporting and Facilitation of International Mutual Learning through Peer-to-Peer Exchange Project organized by the Climate Change Commission in cooperation with GIZ on behalf of the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) on September 23, 2013 at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Pasig City. The main objective of the kickoff was to solicit views and comments from the participants on how the project will be implemented in the Philippines, including the validation of findings from the gap analysis interviews during the preceding week as the agencies involved are currently finalizing the scope and work plan for the project.

The Information Matters Project is being initiated in the four selected countries (Chile, Dominican Republic, Ghana and the Philippines) to improve climate mitigation information bases to support the implementation of national low carbon development policies. The British consulting firm Ricardo-AEA was commissioned by GIZ to provide technical assistance to the CCC and sectoral stakeholders in the Philippines and will facilitate the conduct of baseline gap analysis and the preparation of a capacity building plan.

The project aims to strengthen the in-country capacities for ambitious reporting in the four partner countries. The specific needs and priorities of the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems and greenhouse gas monitoring will be identified and improved with tailored in-country capacity-building workshops and trainings, which should identify procedures, methodologies, and responsibilities in order to institutionalize reporting system with the special focus in the requirements for national-level mitigation-related reporting to the UNFCCC.