Programme Cooperation Agreement 2010 – 2011

• Coordinating the production of the Global Outlook on Methane Gas Hydrates, due to be launched in 2012. The outlook is being prepared in collaboration with national workgroups from Norway, Canada, US, India, Korea, Japan and Germany, private sector companies (Statoil and Schlumberger) and NGOs (WWF, Forum for the Future (UK)). I A new public outreach web portal providing a multimedia experience of methane hy- drates (www.methanegashydrates.org) was launched. • Marine Newsletter produced monthly and number of subscribers increased to 310. The newsletter has been featured in IISD Biodiversity Update several times. The newsletter has during 2011 been enhanced with a Picture of the Month. • EarthWire Marine updated daily and number of e-mail subscribers increased to 260. Geographic tags added to allow search by regions. • All printed reports presented as e-books on GRID-Arendal’s website. • Supported Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Branch (MCEB) of UNEP, as a partner in the project ‘Broad-scale marine spatial planning of mammal corridors & protected areas in Wider Caribbean & Southeast & Northeast Pacific’ (2010-2012), which contributes to the LifeWeb Initiative of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). GRID-Arendal has a lead role in providing technical support and guidance for the data identification, collation and visualization of essential habitats and regional-scale migration routes for marine mammals. • Signed MoU with the Abidjan Convention Secretariat to support marine management through the Sustainable Seas Programme. Planning a pilot workshop in the region dur- ing first half of 2012 to identify capacity development priorities and needs in the coun- tries in West Africa. • Asked to explore the production of rapid Blue Carbon assessments for Belize, the Ba- hamas and Seychelles. • 5 University of the Sea (UOS) cruises. 27 young scientists and students participated. • Relationships with key partners have been established in the ecosystem-based adap- tion to climate change in SIDS. Climate change vulnerability and impact assessments as well as the ongoing project in Integrated Coastal Management will take place in the Caribbean in 2012. • Meta-analysis of existing practices, policies and gaps in linking traditional and scientific knowledge for adaptation to climate change started.

2. Develop innovative communication tools and services (i.e. marine websites, Earthwire, photo library). Sub-programme 4: Environmental Gov- ernance 4(d) 1, 4(d)2, 4(d 3. Strengthen capacity for marine manage- ment. Sub-programme 3: Ecosystem Manage- ment 3(b)3

• Number of hits on the websites • Number of registered users of Earth- wire

• Comprehensive training to at least 2 developing states delivered. • At least 50 marine experts and manag- ers trained. • Number of University of the Sea cruises organized: 2

4. Develop methodology for ecosystem- based adaptation (EbA) to climate change that integrates scientific and traditional knowledge in two SIDS communities. Communities are empowered and capac- ity is built to analyse, prevent, and manage risks related to both climate change and natural disasters over both the long and short terms, and to influence decision- making at the local and regional levels.

2 communities provided with relevant tools/skills and knowledge on ecosystem- based adaptation to climate change, in- cluding facilitators within local, regional and national organizations trained to im- plement EbA methodologies.

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