Final Report on the Framework Agreement for 2008–2009

• Support to UNEP and the Norwegian Ministry of Environment provided by contributing to the joint Norwegian Ministry of the Environment-UNEP conference “High Mountain Glaciers and Challenges caused by Climate Change” hosted by the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromsø, Norway in June 2009. • Support to UNEP’s climate change programme provided by organizing a "Climate Dialogue" during the Hove Festival in Arendal in June. Participants included representatives of political parties, businesses, environmental NGOs, and the Deputy Director of UNEP-WCMC, Monica MacDevette, • Support to UNEP provided by organizing information and awareness raising activities to promote UNEP’s campaign “Seal the Deal”. Information stands and stamping stations were set up during the Hove Festival in June, the 20 th Anniversary of GRID-Arendal in August, the National Science Week celebration in Aust Agder in September, the International Days celebration in Arendal in October, and the International Day of Climate Action in Oslo in October. More than 3000 signatures collected on cloth banners, which formed part of the historic Climate Petition displayed during COP 15 of the UNFCCC in Copenhagen in December 2009.

• Support to UNEP during COP 15 of the UNFCCC in Copenhagen in December 2009 provided. Portraits of Resilience exhibition opened, panels and side events organized, and publications disseminated.

• Support to UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign provided by producing maps and graphics. ! ! • Support to UNEP provided by disseminating UNEP press releases to media contacts in Scandinavia and by posting UNEP information and press releases on the GRID-Arendal website !!!"#$%&'"() . *

POLAR & CRYOSPHERE A: GLOBAL DIMENSIONS OF CHANGE

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

MAIN INDICATORS 2008 and 2009 A1a) Integrated programme of support to UNEP as its Key Polar Centre.

RESULTS/OUTPUTS

A1. UNEP Key Polar Centre services, including leadership on UNEP IPY strategy implementation.

2008

• Present at selected Arctic Council meetings related to climate change adaptation and mitigation and to biodiversity on behalf of UNEP. • UNEP Arctic Team established for better coordination of UNEP strategy and work in relation to the Arctic started. • UNEP advised on several Polar issues, including the main Arctic decision of 2008 at UNEPs Governing Council meeting; responded to enquiries and prepared briefing materials for UNEP as requested. GRID- Arendal funded these activities from its core fund in 2008 and will continue to support this work in 2009; some funding from UNEP secured for 2009, especially for work related to Arctic biodiversity. GRID-Arendal (representing UNEP as an observer in the Arctic Council) has participated as a partner in developing the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (CBMP) and the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA), both programmes are run by Arctic Council's working group Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF). - ABA web site: http://caff.arcticportal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=156 - CBMP web site: http://cbmp.arcticportal.org/ • GRID-Arendal has provided active support to the Steering Committees of both programmes. Participation in 2009 •

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