Other LULUCF issues (Forest degradation and devegetation; methodologies for factoring out, biome-specific definitions)
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.