Landing a match can be hard in these times. It’s hard to know what you’re looking for without a supported and coordinated platform that can effectively facilitate quality matchmaking. After all, even Tinder has staff on the back-end helping to structure key information everyone needs to make a great match. We hear that a few countries have some concerns with an overbearing matchmaker, so here’s ECO’s take on what an Article 6.8 Matching Facility is and isn’t.
What it is:
A matching facility: a well organized database of ambitious [projects][or actions] that Parties have submitted detailing their need for that [action]. Think of a detailed project description or concept note which includes how it reduces emissions and/or increases resilience, and how it upholds rights and promotes sustainable development, so that supporting countries or other non-Party actors can look at and then connect to in order to develop and mobilise that action, via funding, technological support, technical assistance, and capacity building.
Accessible: with the right guidance, technical assistance, and flexibility, it can help facilitate a flow of support to local-led action.
Transparent: [projects][or actions] would have information about what it is, where it is, and how it respects human rights; including the rights of indigenous peoples, gender equality, public participation, ecosystem integrity, a just transition… and how it promotes sustainable development.
Monitorable: [projects][actions] should continue to be listed once a match has been made so that the public can monitor its implementation.
What it is not:
A financial mechanism: a 6.8 matching facility does not obligate any party to contribute financing.
A compensation mechanism: only Parties receiving support can have the emissions reductions acknowledged and reported as mitigation towards their NDCs.
Only a list of cooperative activities that are already taking place: merely having a list of activities that are already taking place through cooperative approaches is a wasted opportunity. Then, it’s just aggregating information. A list of existing cooperative approaches could be a part – but not the whole part.
ECO knows that you know we need more climate action, and we need it urgently! And an Article 6.8 matching facility can help bring that about. Let those who want to provide support swipe right on rights-based, people-centred climate action.