Outcomes at SBSTA 28

As part of the programme of work on methodological issues by the SBSTA, Parties submitted their views on how to address outstanding methodological issues (e.g. assessments of changes in forest cover and associated carbon stocks, reference emissions levels, implications of national and subnational approaches, options for assessing the effectiveness of actions relating to ongoing efforts, capacity building, technical assistance and transfer of technology, demonstration activities and mobilization of resources to support efforts, etc.).  These views by Parties are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2008/MISC.4, Add.1, Add.2 and Add.3.  

SBSTA 28 (FCCC/SBSTA/2008/6, paras 92-96) took note of these views by Parties and initiated consideration of how to address outstanding methodological issues.  It identified the main methodological issues that could be included in its report to the COP, at its fourteenth session (in annex III of the SBSTA report). 

SBSTA28 was followed by a workshop on methodological issues, held on June 25 to 27, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan.  The report on the workshop containing a summary of the discussions, including main outcomes, on the outstanding methodological issues is contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2008/11. 

SBSTA 29 (FCCC/SBSTA/2008/13, paragraphs 35-48 and annex II), on the basis of work on methodological issues set out in decision 2/CP.13, recommended the following methodological guidance:

1. The use of the Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines For National Greenhouse Inventories and encouraging the use of the Good Practice Guidance For Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry, as appropriate, as a basis for estimating anthropogenic forest-related emissions by sources and removals by sinks;
2. The need to establish robust and transparent national forest monitoring systems, following consideration of their requirements;
3. If appropriate, the need to establish robust and transparent sub-national forest monitoring systems, following consideration of their requirements;
4. The encouragement of national forest monitoring systems that allow transparent and independent review of their results;
5. The consideration of national circumstances and respective capabilities and capacities.  

The SBSTA also noted the importance of several elements in relation to its programme of work initiated under decision 2/CP.13 including promoting readiness, further mobilization of resources, promoting the full and effective participation of indigenous people and local communities, exploring co-benefits and sharing lessons learned and experiences.  

The SBSTA also requested its Chair:

1. To explore ways of facilitating the coordination of activities relating to decision 2/CP.13; and
2. To inform the AWG-LCA, at its sixth session, of the results of consultations and progress made at SBSTA30 and outcomes from the expert meeting.

The SBSTA concluded that in addition to work identified in these conclusions, guidance from the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) in relation to decision 1/CP.13, paragraph 1 (b) (iii), would facilitate further progress on methodological issues.

The SBSTA decided to continue its programme of work on methodological issues at its thirtieth session.  See conclusions of SBSTA 30. 

SBSTA 30 continued its programme of work on methodological issues, as contained in decision 2/CP.13, paragraphs 7 (a) and 11.  At this session, the SBSTA considered the text of a draft decision on methodological guidance (contained in the annex to the conclusions), taking into account the following, inter alia:

1. The outcomes of the expert meeting on methodological issues relating to reference emission levels and reference levels that was held in Bonn, Germany, from 23 to 24 March 2009;   
2. The information contained in the technical paper entitled “Cost of implementing methodologies and monitoring systems relating to estimates of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, the assessment of carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions from changes in forest cover, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks”.

The SBSTA continued its work on this matter at its thirty-first session, on the basis of the draft text contained in the annex. 

The SBSTA also:

1. Took note of the submission of views by Parties on needs for technical and institutional capacity-building and cooperation (contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.2, Add.1 and Add.2) and on issues relating to indigenous peoples and local communities for the development and application of methodologies (contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.1, Add.1 and Add.2);
2. Recognized that in order to generate accurate and precise data and information for establishing reference emission levels and reference levels as contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2008/13, paragraph 40, and for establishing and operating monitoring systems, there are research priorities and capacity-building needs, such as those identified in the outcomes of the expert meeting and the views submitted by Parties referred to above;
3. Noted that it may need to consider further guidance on methodological issues in accordance with any relevant decisions adopted by the COP at its fifteenth session.

The Chair provided oral reports to the SBSTA and the AWG-LCA (at its sixth session) respectively, on the following matters:

1. Preliminary information on ways of facilitating the coordination of activities relating to  decision 2/CP.13; and
2. Results of consultations and progress made at the thirtieth session of the SBSTA and the outcomes of the expert meeting.

The SBSTA requested its chair to continue exploring ways of facilitating the coordination of activities in (a) above and to report back at its thirty-first session.

The conclusions for this agenda item are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2009/3 (paras 31-42).

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