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• 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.
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
• Number of hits on the websites
• Number of registered users of Earth-
wire
• 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.
3. Strengthen capacity for marine manage-
ment.
Sub-programme 3: Ecosystem Manage-
ment 3(b)3
• 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
• 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.
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.
• 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.