What is the SBI?

The SBI is one of two permanent subsidiary bodies to the Convention established by the COP/CMP. It supports the work of the COP and the CMP through the assessment and review of the effective implementation of the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol. The SBI also advises the COP on budgetary and administrative matters.

The SBI is currently shifting to a new and transitional phase towards monitoring, reviewing and verifying (MRV) functions and demonstrating progress in implementing the Bali Action Plan. This year, the SBI has the challenging task of managing the shift in focus towards the MRV issues with the launch of the international assessment and review (IAR) and international consultations and analysis (ICA) in 2014, and work on nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs). Last year, the SBI completed its work on the design of the registry and the secretariat has deployed a prototype version. The registry will be  a platform to enhance cooperation among Parties toward the formulation and implementation of their NAMAs.

In the lead-up and during the COP19/CMP9 in Warsaw, SBI issues, such as loss and damage, and finance to which the SBI will contribute, will be the focus of political attention. SBI 39 will be considering institutional arrangements for loss & damage, with a view to establishing such arrangements at COP 19. On adaptation, finance and technology transfer, the focus will be on finding the best way to manage relevant issues in the SBI agenda while making the best use of the increasing role of the specialized bodies and institutions that have been created in Cancun and Durban and operationalized in Doha (e.g. Adaptation Committee, Standing Committee on Finance, and the Technology Mechanism), to deal with the relevant issues. While the technical discussions under these traditional items are now being taken up under the constituted bodies, the SBI will have the responsibility of maintaining the political momentum and ensuring transparency on these matters.