SBSTA 34

The SBSTA considered views on methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, taking into account issues identified in appendix II to decision 1/CP.16 and relevant issues (FCCC/SBSTA/2011/2). Parties identified a range of issues, including guidance on systems for providing information on how safeguards referred to in appendix I to decision 1/CP.16  are addressed and respected, modalities relating to forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels, and modalities for measuring, reporting and verifying as referred to in appendix II to decision 1/CP.16. 

The SBSTA invited Parties and accredited observers to submit to the secretariat their views on the issues noted above. General guidance for submissions and future work on these issues (refer to annex of the conclusions) was provided. The views by Parties are contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.7, Add.1, Add. 2 and Add. 3.

The secretariat organized two SBSTA-mandated meetings of technical experts relating to safeguards and forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels.  The reports on the outcomes of these meetings can be found in documents FCCC/SBSTA/2011/INF.17 and FCCC/SBSTA/2011/INF.18

The SBSTA, at its thirty-second session, took note of the following oral reports by its Chair on:

• Ways of facilitating the coordination of the activities relating to decision decision 2/CP.13;
• The outcomes of the informal meeting of experts on enhancing coordination of capacity-building activities in relation to using the most recent IPCC guidance and guidelines, as adopted or encouraged by the COP, as appropriate, as a basis for estimating anthropogenic forest-related greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks, forest carbon stocks and forest area changes, which was held in Bonn, Germany, from 25 to 26 May 2010.

The SBSTA, taking into consideration the outcomes and recommendations resulting from the informal meeting of experts, requested the secretariat:

1. To increase the number of experts trained in the use of the IPCC guidance and guidelines referred to in decision 4/CP.15, paragraph 1 (c), by organizing and facilitating activities such as training of trainers workshops, and to work with the IPCC on promoting the use of the IPCC Emission Factor Database, and report on its progress to the SBSTA at its thirty-fourth session;
2. To enhance sharing of information, experiences and lessons learned on the use of the IPCC guidance and guidelines on the UNFCCC website through an interactive discussion forum to be set up on the web platform.

The SBSTA again reminded and encouraged Parties, relevant organizations and stakeholders to continue sharing information on activities relating to decisions 2/CP.13 and 4/CP.15 via the web platform.

The SBSTA, at its thirty-first session, considered and agreed on a draft decision on “Methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.”  The COP adopted this decision ( 4/CP.15) at its fifteenth session.

The conclusions for this agenda item are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2009/8 (paragraphs 27-34).

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 (paragraphs 31-42).

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. 

Recent Sessions

REDD outcomes at SBSTA 24 - 28