Distr.
GENERAL
FCCC/SBI/1995/2
3 August 1995
Original: ENGLISH
SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR IMPLEMENTATIONFirst session
Geneva, 31 August - 1 September 1995
Item 2 of the provisional agenda
1. The Conference of the Parties at its first session (COP 1) adopted a decision on the roles of the subsidiary bodies which included provision for the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) to consider a work plan at its first session (FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1, decision 6/CP.1, annex III). In this context, and with a view to facilitating the work of the SBI, the secretariat has prepared a proposed programme of work which is annexed to this note. Although the Chairman and officers of the SBI have been consulted on the content of the annex, the proposals remain the responsibility of the secretariat.
2. The SBI is invited to consider the proposed programme of work and to adopt, at its first session, an agreed work programme to guide its deliberations in the period up to COP 3.
3. The proposed programme of work is based on the provisions of
the Convention, especially Article 10, and the decisions adopted at
COP 1. It is built around a series of substantive matters that the
SBI is called upon to address. The programme covers the period up to
COP 3, encompassing an anticipated six sessions of the
SBI.
4. The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice
(SBSTA) will also consider a proposed programme of work at its first
session. The secretariat has taken care in preparing the two
programmes of work to ensure their complementarity. Efforts have been
made to avoid duplication and overlap in the work of the two bodies.
In this context, the proposed programmes of work include some
suggested orientations or areas of emphasis for each of the
subsidiary bodies. These suggestions are put forward in an attempt to
optimize the work of the Convention institutions. The SBI may wish to
give careful consideration to the work programme elements relating to
those issues for which it and the SBSTA share responsibility. In this
respect, the proposed programme of work should be read in conjunction
with a background note by the secretariat on the division of labour
between the two bodies (FCCC/SB/1995/Inf.1).
1. The Conference of the Parties (COP), in its decision 6/CP.1
recalling Article 10 of the Convention, characterized the role of the
Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) as that of developing
recommendations to assist the COP (a) in its review and assessment of
the implementation of the Convention, and (b) in the preparation and
implementation of its decisions. Decision 6/CP.1 also provides
guidance on the tasks and functions of the SBI, its reporting to the
COP, and the scheduling of its meetings.
2. Other COP 1 decisions also relevant to the programme of work of the SBI are as follows:
- Decision 2/CP.1 on the review of first communications from
Parties included in Annex I to the Convention and decision 3/CP.1 on
the preparation and submission of national communications from
Parties included in Annex I to the Convention;
- Decision 4/CP.1 on methodological issues (including the
allocation and control of international bunker fuels);
- Decision 5/CP.1 on activities implemented jointly under the
pilot phase;
- Decision 8/CP.1 on first communications from Parties not
included in Annex I to the Convention;
- Decision 9/CP.1 on the maintenance of the interim arrangements
referred to in Article 21, paragraph 3, of the Convention; decision
10/CP.1 on arrangements between the COP and the operating entity or
entities of the financial mechanism; decision 11/CP.1 on initial
guidance on policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria
to the operating entity of the financial mechanism; decision 12/CP.1
on the report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of
the Parties on the development of an operational strategy and on
initial activities in the field of climate change and the decision of
the COP relating to modalities for the functioning of operational
linkages between the Conference of the Parties and the operating
entity or entities of the financial mechanism (FCCC/CP/1995/7, para.
81 and FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1, section III (a));
- Decision 13/CP.1 on transfer of technology;
- Decision 14/CP.1 on the institutional linkage of the Convention
secretariat to the United Nations; decision 15/CP.1 on financial
procedures; decision 17/CP.1 on the adoption of the Convention budget
for the biennium 1996-1997; decision 18/CP.1 on other voluntary
funding for the biennium 1996-1997; decision 19/CP.1 on
extrabudgetary funding for the interim secretariat in 1995; decision
20/CP.1 on the establishment of a multilateral consultative process
for the resolution of questions regarding the implementation of the
Convention (Article 13); and decision 21/CP.1 on the date and venue
of the second session of the Conference of the Parties and
arrangements for the third session.
3. The programme of work of the SBI will have to be carried out in
the context of the following schedule of meetings, as proposed by the
Bureau of the COP, taking account of decision 6/CP.1, paragraphs 8
and 9, the availability of conference services and the tentative
scheduling of COP 2 and COP 3:
SBI 1: 31 August - 1 September 1995, Geneva
SBI 2: During the week 26 February - 1 March 1996,
Geneva
SBI 3: During the week 8 - 12 July 1996 (if COP 2 is held in
October 1996)
SBI 4: Immediately preceding COP 2 (place and date to be
decided)
SBI 5: During the week 3 - 7 March 1997
SBI 6: Immediately preceding COP 3
4. The SBI may wish to confirm this schedule of sessions for the
period up to COP 3.
5. The secretariat, following consultations with the Chairman and
officers of the SBI, will prepare a schedule of work for the sessions
of the SBI in the period up to COP 3, indicating which might be the
principal items for consideration at each session. This schedule will
be made available for consideration at the first
session.
Product or task
6. The SBI will provide advice to the COP on the basis of its
consideration of the information communicated under Article 12 of the
Convention. Such advice will focus on the policy aspects of the
national communications, the in-depth review reports, and any
compilation and synthesis of these, particularly aspects relating to
the overall aggregated effect of the steps taken.
Mandate
7. The SBI will provide such advice pursuant to Article 10 of the
Convention, decisions 2/CP.1 and 3/CP.1 on communications from Annex
I Parties and decision 6/CP.1 on the roles of the subsidiary
bodies.
Activities
8. The SBI will have a standing agenda item on the communications
from Annex I Parties under which documents would be taken up in
accordance with the review process schedule. The following activities
could be envisaged:
SBI 1: Consideration of status of national communication and
review process
SBI 2: Consideration of available in-depth review reports, and of
report on guidelines for the preparation of national communications
from Annex I Parties
SBI 3: Consideration of new in-depth review reports, of
compilation and synthesis and of approach to report to COP
2
SBI 4: Consideration of newly available in-depth review reports
and finalization of report to COP 2
SBI 5: Consideration of newly-available in-depth review
reports
SBI 6: Consideration of newly-available in-depth review reports
and finalization of report to COP 3
Product or task
9. The SBI, with the SBSTA, will provide advice to the COP on
matters relating to communications from Parties not included in Annex
I to the Convention.
Mandate
10. The SBI will provide such advice pursuant to decision 8/CP.1
on communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the
Convention.
Activities
11. At its second session the SBI could take up the issue of the
process to consider these communications, in accordance with Article
10 of the Convention. A compilation of inputs from Parties on this
subject will be available at the first session. If considered useful,
the secretariat could be asked to prepare a document drawing on such
submissions for consideration at the second session. This would
enable proposals to be submitted to COP 2 in accordance with decision
8/CP.1 and thereby facilitate the preparation of these communications
which will begin to come due on 21 March 1997.
12. Liaison with the SBSTA would be important. The views of the
SBSTA on the proposals being developed could be sought. Moreover, it
could be expected that the SBSTA would seek the views of the SBI on
its work relating to guidelines for the preparation of communications
from non-Annex I Parties.
13. The SBI could be expected to have a role in implementing any
decision of COP 2 relating to the consideration of these
communications, and to report accordingly to the COP. Such a role
would take account of the function of the SBI to consider information
communicated by all Parties under Article 12.1.
Product or task
14. The SBI will provide advice to the COP on the allocation and
control of emissions from international bunker fuels.
Mandate
15. The SBI will provide this advice pursuant to decision 4/CP.1
on methodological issues, paragraph 1 (f).
Activities
16. The SBI could, at its first session, consider what technical
and other information it would need in order to make recommendations
to the COP and to request such information from the SBSTA; and
thereafter to consider different policy options for the allocation
and control of emissions on the basis of the information provided by
the SBSTA, Governments and relevant international
organizations.
Product or task
17. The SBI will provide advice to the COP on policies,
eligibility criteria and programme priorities relating to the
financial mechanism and, on request, provide advice on the financial
mechanism and on the reports of the operating entity or entities, and
make recommendations related to the arrangements for the operational
linkages between the COP and the operating entity or
entities.
Mandate
18. The SBI will provide such advice pursuant to decision 6/CP.1
on the roles of the subsidiary bodies, annex I, paragraph 3 (a) and
annex II and decision 10/CP.1 on arrangements between the COP and an
operating entity or entities of the financial mechanism.
Activities
19. The SBI will consider at its first session draft arrangements
between the COP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) prepared by
the secretariat in consultation with the secretariat of the GEF and
bearing in mind comments made at the eleventh session of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on
Climate Change. The SBI could take up this matter to the extent
necessary at its second and third sessions so that draft arrangements
can be recommended to COP 2 for adoption. It should be noted, in this
connection, that the draft memorandum of understanding between the
COP and the
Council of the GEF, currently under consideration, does not deal
in substance with the determination of funding necessary and
available, in accordance with Article 11.3(d) of the Convention
(FCCC/SBI/1995/3, para. 9). This important matter will need to be
addressed by the SBI and the COP in due course.
20. The SBI will also consider the reports from the operating
entity of the financial mechanism. Depending on the time these
reports become available, this could be envisaged for SBI 4 and SBI
6, resulting in advice to COP 2 and COP 3 respectively.
21. The SBI will also further elaborate the policies, programme
priorities and eligibility criteria in accordance with requirements
in this regard and make recommendations accordingly to the
COP.
22. The SBI could also take up other matters relating to the
financial mechanism as necessary so that this would be a standing
item leading to regular reports to the COP. For example, the
arrangements for the operational linkages between the COP and the
operating entity or entities may require some attention, and general
advice and recommendations on issues relating to the financial
mechanism (for example, on the operational strategy) could be
appropriate. The secretariat would provide regular updates on
relevant activities, including its cooperation with the GEF
secretariat.
Product or task
23. The SBI will provide advice to the COP on transfer of
technology.
Mandate
24. The SBI will provide such advice pursuant to decision 6/CP.1,
annex I, paragraph 3 (a).
Activities
25. In view of the above-mentioned mandate, the overall
responsibility of the SBI to advise on the implementation of the
Convention, and the need to avoid duplication of work between the
SBSTA and the SBI, it is proposed that the SBI, rather than the SBSTA
as provided for in decision 13/CP.1, should take up the following
aspects of the reports relating to transfer of technology as
requested from the secretariat by decision 13/CP.1:
(a) The SBI would consider the itemized progress report on
concrete measures taken by Parties listed in Annex II to the
Convention, with respect to their commitments relating to the
transfer of environmentally sound technologies and know-how (SBI 3);
and
(b) The SBI would consider the aspect of the inventory of
technologies report relating to the "terms of transfer".
In order to respect decision 13/CP.1, the SBSTA could decide to
refer matters contained in the progress report and the inventory and
assessment report to the SBI.
Product or task
26. The SBI, with the SBSTA and the assistance of the secretariat,
will prepare a synthesis report on the information communicated by
Parties relating to activities implemented jointly under the pilot
phase. The SBI will also provide advice to the SBSTA on the
development of a framework for reporting by Parties on activities
implemented jointly.
Mandate
27. The SBI will act under the provisions of decision 5/CP.1,
paragraph 2.
Activities
28. A framework for reporting on activities implemented jointly is
to be established by the SBSTA in coordination with the SBI. It could
be expected that the SBSTA would take the lead but would seek the
advice of the SBI on a reporting framework. If such a request were
received in time, it could be taken up at SBI 2 or at SBI
3.
29. If the framework for reporting is adopted at COP 2, reports on
activities implemented jointly would be available from Parties after
COP 2. In such case, the SBI could take up issues surrounding the
synthesis report at its fifth session and provide guidance to the
secretariat. It could consider the first synthesis report at its
sixth session, together with any conclusions of a scientific and
technical nature that may be forwarded by the SBSTA. It would
transmit the synthesis to COP 3 with any advice or recommendations
that may be agreed.
Product or task
30. The SBI could provide advice to the COP and guidance to the
secretariat on the technical cooperation activities of the
secretariat and its partners.
Mandate
31. The SBI would provide this advice pursuant to the decision of
COP 1 to periodically review this matter and provide guidance to the
secretariat.
Activities
32. The SBI could review reports from the secretariat and provide
advice to the COP. The first such report could be envisaged for SBI
3.
Product or task
33. The SBI will provide advice to the COP on institutional and
budgetary matters and interim guidance to the secretariat on such
matters between sessions of the COP, as appropriate.
Mandate
34. The SBI will provide this advice under the general provisions
of Article 10.1 and 10.2(c). Moreover, decision 14/CP.1 requests the
SBI, at its first session, to review the proposed arrangement for
administrative support to the Convention secretariat on the basis of
a report from the Executive Secretary.
Activities
35. The SBI, at its first session, will review the proposed
arrangement for administrative support to the Convention secretariat
on the basis of a report from the Executive Secretary pursuant to his
consultations with the United Nations on the allotment of overhead to
defray administrative expenses. It will take decisions on this matter
so that the administrative arrangements may take effect from 1
January 1996. It could also review, at that and subsequent sessions,
other institutional and budgetary matters as needed.
36. At subsequent sessions, the SBI will have the
opportunity:
(a) To consider the report of the Executive Secretary to COP 2 on
income and budget performance, including any proposals for
adjustments to the Convention budget for 1996-1997, and provide
advice to COP 2 (at SBI 4); this practice could evolve into a regular
report on the financial situation of the Convention
institutions;
(b) To consider the proposed budget for the Convention for the biennium
1998-1999 and provide advice to COP 3 (at SBI 6); and
(c) To consider other institutional and budgetary matters that may
be referred to it or which may arise on an urgent basis and provide
advice to the COP or interim guidance to the
secretariat.
37. The SBI is to develop proposals on its longer-term activities
and organizational arrangements, including any adjustments to the
functions and/or allocation of work, and the scheduling and
periodicity of sessions; these proposals are to be reported to COP 2
(see decision 6/CP.1). The SBI could have an initial discussion of
these matters at its second session and complete its report to COP 2
at its fourth session.
38. The SBSTA is also requested to report on its work to COP 2. It
will have to adopt, at its fourth session, a series of reports,
decisions and/or recommendations relating to the various items on its
work programme. To the extent that additional information needs to be
passed to the COP, this may be done through a report from the
Chairman.
39. The officers of the SBI and the SBSTA are invited to submit to
COP 2, after due consultation with their respective bodies, proposals
for future cooperation between the SBSTA and the SBI and the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (decision 6/CP.1, para. 6).
The SBI may wish to have an initial exchange of views on this matter
at its second session. On that basis, the officers of the SBI, in
consultation with the officers of the SBSTA, could present some
proposals for consideration at SBI 4 and transmittal to COP
2.
40. The programme of work will need to retain sufficient
flexibility to allow the SBSTA to undertake additional activities, if
requested by the COP or by the Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin
Mandate.