Better understanding of the science behind climate change and the evidence and information acquired from evolving understanding of the physical, natural, social and economic aspects of climate change provide an essential basis for issues under consideration in the UNFCCC process. The need for a better understanding of the global climate system and more accurate data on its variability and change are addressed in the Convention, which calls on Parties to promote and cooperate in research and systematic observation of the climate system, including through support to existing international and intergovernmental programmes and networks or organizations and exchange of information (see Articles 4.1(g,h) and 5). In doing so, the Convention commits Parties to cooperate in improving the capacities of developing countries to participate in research and systematic observation.

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SBSTA 36 will focus on matters related to systematic observation, as agreed by  SBSTA 34 and SBSTA 35.

A research dialogue will also be organized in conjunction with SBSTA 36. To this end, the following contributions were invited:

• Parties' views on specific themes to be addressed at the research dialogue (see FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.2 and Add.1)
• Information on developments is research activities relevant to the needs of the Convention, including with respect to the long-term global goal referred to in decision 1/CP.16, para. 4, provided by regional and international research programmes and organizations (see FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.3)
• Information on the technical and scientific aspects of emissions by sources, removals by sinks, and reservoirs of all greenhouse gases, including emissions and removals from coastal and marine ecosystems (such as mangroves, tidal salt marshes, wetlands and seagrass meadows), with a view to identifying and quantifying the impact of human activities, provided by Parties (see FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.2 and Add.1) and relevant research programmes and organizations active in climate change research, including marine research (see FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.3).

COP 17 (28 November - 09 December 2011, Durban, South Africa)

COP 17 adopted decision 16/CP.17 on the research dialogue on developments in research activities relevant to the needs of the Convention, which inter alia:

SBSTA 35 (28 November - 3 December 2011, Durban, South Africa)

SBSTA considered matters related to research, as agreed at SBSTA 34, including views submitted by Parties on the research dialogue (FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.8 and Add.1), including on ongoing activities, associated modalities and ways to enhance the dialogue.

The SBSTA agreed that the research dialogue should continue on a regular basis, with the next research dialogue to take place at SBSTA 36, and invited Parties to submit their views on specific themes to be addressed. SBSTA also referred to the progress made in the implementation of decision 9/CP.11 and successful activities undertaken in the context of the research dialogue, including the workshop organized in conjunction with SBSTA 34, and recalled its conclusions from SBSTA 34 relevant to possible further workshops.

SBSTA also concluded that information on technical and scientific aspects of emissions and removals of GHGs from coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, tidal salt marshes, wetlands and seagrass meadows would be considered as a theme for the next research dialogue, taking into account information on this matter submitted by Parties and  relevant research programmes and organizations active in climate change research, including marine research, and taking into account views on other specific themes to be submitted by Parties. The SBSTA also noted that there are other important ecosystems with high-carbon reservoirs, such as steppe, tundra and peatlands. SBSTA 36 may consider the need for a workshop to give in-depth consideration to the themes considered in the research dialogue.

SBSTA recommend a draft decision on the research dialogue for adoption by COP 17 (see decision 16/CP.17).

For the full text of the SBSTA 35 conclusions on research and systematic observation, see FCCC/SBSTA/2011/5, paragraphs 34-49.

Related activities to research and systematic observation during the Durban sessions 

The secretariat organized a side event on updates on climate change science, with a special focus on Africa. The event brought together scientists and experts involved in international and regional climate change research who presented latest findings and information from their research activities, especially from Africa.

The secretariat also organized a side event on funding for climate observations, with participation of representatives from the GCOS, the GEF and the UNDP Africa Adaptation Programme. The event illustrated requirements for meeting climate observation needs in developing countries and current funding approches as well as on-going projects and lessons learnt.

Recent and earlier sessions

Research and systematic observation has been a regular and separate agenda item of the SBSTA since its seventeenth session (October 2002).

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