Strengthening Carbon Financing for Regional Grassland Management in Northeast Asia Working Paper 1: Legal and Policy Framework for Ta Nama Approach: Background

This Background paper (Working Report 1) confirms that the TA is assisting Mongolia in helping to clarify and develop information to support a NAMA for grassland/livestock management and in this context will help achieve carbon management. A key aspect of the NAMA Approach of the TA is the identification of the legal and policy framework to support the NAMA Approach. To achieve this objective, the Background paper suggests that TA develop a legal and policy framework to accommodate the first 3 critical steps in accessing low-carbon finance and in this way it will contribute to the NAMA development and implementation process. Since 2009 the Mongolian Government has commenced an environmental law reform program based on the outcome of the 2008 UNDP-Government Governance Project and other law and policy initiatives. A significant aspect of the legislative reform has been its consideration of the effects of climate change on the Mongolian environment. The UNDP-Government Governance Project proposes environmental management and climate change coordination as the primary environmental management strategy for Mongolia. The Background paper recommends that this approach now be developed accordingly, to support the NAMA approach and in consideration of the key principles and actions established by the Mongolia Second National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change. The preliminary review of domestic and international environmental law and policy in relation to carbon management indicates various elements that should be considered for a Mongolian legal, policy and institutional framework for carbon financing. Working Report 2 discusses the legal, policy and institutional framework to support the grassland/livestock NAMA. It investigates legal and policy issues related to the NAMA Approach and outlines a legal and policy system for a grassland/livestock NAMA.