COP 7 invited the IPCC to undertake methodological work and prepare reports on two areas, in addition to
the report on good practice guidance for LULUCF. The first of these reports related to definitions
for direct human-induced degradation of forests and devegetation and methodological options to estimate and
report emissions. The other was to cover practical methodologies to factor-out direct
human-induced changes in carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions and removals from indirect
human-induced and natural effects (e.g. CO2 fertilization and N deposition) and effects due
to past practices in forests.
Degradation and devegetation
SBSTA 19 (FCCC/SBSTA/2003/15,
paragraph 24(f)–(g)) welcomed the report by the IPCC entitled 
Definitions and
Methodological Options to Inventory Emissions from Direct Human-Induced Degradation of Forests and
Devegetation of Other Vegetation Types and decided to further consider the information in this
report at its twentieth session. Initial views by Parties on this report, including on possible definitions
to account for anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions resulting from direct human-induced degradation and
devegetation activities which could be used in the context of the Kyoto Protocol, are contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2004/MISC.5.
SBSTA 20 (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/6,
paragraphs 23–24) recognized the importance of the information contained in this IPCC report to its
work and decided to consider these issues at a future session.
Factoring out
SBSTA 19 (FCCC/SBSTA/2003/15,
paragraph 24(h)–(k)) noted the aim (in paragraph 1(h) in decision 16/CMP.1) to address the issue that accounting
excludes removals resulting from elevated carbon dioxide concentrations above their pre-industrial level,
indirect nitrogen disposition and effects of past practices and activities before 1990. In its
response to the COP 7 request, the IPCC indicated that the current scientific understanding of the
processes did not allow the elaboration of practical methodologies.
Parties provided views on these issues and other related LULUCF issues (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/MISC.8
and Add.1).
SBSTA 21 did not finish consideration of this item and decided to continue its
consideration at a future session (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/13,
paragraph 34).
Biome-specific definitions
In response to a mandate by COP 7 (paragraph 2(b) in decision 11/CP.7), SBSTA 21 (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/13,
paragraph 35) discussed the possible application of biome-specific forest definitions for the second and
subsequent commitment periods. It noted that a decision on this subject is not needed at this stage
and decided to consider the matter at a future session.
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