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• 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 20th 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
RESULTS/OUTPUTS
A1. UNEP Key Polar Centre
services, including
leadership on UNEP IPY
strategy implementation.
A1a) Integrated programme of
support to UNEP as its Key
Polar Centre.
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.
2009
• 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:
- CBMP web site:
• GRID-Arendal has provided active support to the Steering Committees of both programmes. Participation in