The Convention provides for Annex I Parties to implement policies and measures jointly with other Parties. In order to build experience and “learn by doing,” COP 1 (Berlin, March/April, 1995) launched a pilot phase of activities implemented jointly (AIJ), under which Annex I Parties may implement projects in other countries that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases or enhance their removal through sinks.

Activities under the AIJ pilot phase are undertaken on a voluntary basis and are to bring about climate change mitigation benefits that would not otherwise occur. In contrast to the project-based mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol, AIJ under the pilot phase do not lead to any credits accruing to any Party.

Parties are encouraged to report on their AIJ under the pilot phase using a uniform reporting format, the latest version of which was adopted at COP 8 (New Delhi, October/November 2002). Most Parties have identified a designated national authority to act as the primary national contact for AIJ. The COP regularly reviews progress made on AIJ under the pilot phase.

The seventh synthesis report on AIJ under the pilot phase was prepared in 2006 and considered by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) at its twenty-fifth session. In 2006, at its twelfth session, the COP agreed on the continuation of AIJ under the pilot phase. It also set the deadline of 1 June 2008 for submission of reports on AIJ under the pilot phase to be included in the eighth synthesis report. This report will be considered by the SBSTA at its twenty-ninth session in December 2008.