Distr.

GENERAL

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/6

29 August 1997

Original: ENGLISH

SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE

Sixth session

Bonn, 28 July - 5 August 1997

Paragraphs Page

I. OPENING OF THE SESSION 1 - 4 3

(Agenda item 1)

II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS 5 - 18 3

(Agenda item 2)

A. Adoption of the agenda 5 - 7 3

B. Election of officers other than the Chairman 8 - 9 5

C. Organization of the work of the session 10 - 15 5

D. Preparation by the SBSTA for the third session of the

Conference of the Parties (COP 3) 16 6

E. Attendance 17 6

F. Documentation 18 6

GE.97-

III. DIVISION OF LABOUR BETWEEN THE SBSTA AND

THE SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

(SBI) 19 - 22 6

(Agenda item 3)

IV. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES 23 - 37 7

(Agenda item 4)

A. Programme of work 23 - 35 7

B. Methodological issues related to joint implementation 36 - 37 10

V. CO-OPERATION WITH RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL 38 - 46 10

ORGANIZATIONS

(Agenda item 5)

VI. NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS 47 - 54 11

(Agenda item 6)

A. Communications from Parties included in

Annex 1 to the Convention 47 - 51 11

B. Communications from Parties not included in

Annex 1 to the Convention 52 - 54 12

VII. DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF

TECHNOLOGIES 55 - 63 12

(Agenda item 7)

VIII. ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTED JOINTLY UNDER

THE PILOT PHASE 64 - 66 14

(Agenda item 8)

IX. REPORT ON THE SESSION 67 - 68 14

(Agenda item 9)

Documents before the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and

Technological Advice at its sixth session 15

1. The sixth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) was held at the Hotel Maritim, Bonn, from 28 July to 5 August 1997.

2. The Chairman of the SBSTA, Mr. Tibor Faragó, opened the session on

28 July 1997. He welcomed all delegates as well as observers from non-Parties, United Nations bodies and organizations, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and wished the participants a successful session.

3. The Executive Secretary welcomed the participants, in particular the new Parties to the Convention, provided information on the preparation for the sessions, and reviewed the planning for the third session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 3). He urged that each subsidiary body at that and the subsequent session should, to the extent possible, aim at producing draft decisions recommended by it for adoption by the COP without further discussion. He urged the SBSTA and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) to minimize requests for new documentation for their October sessions.

4. The Executive Secretary expressed concern at the pace of submission of national communications, noting that only six Annex I Parties had met the deadline, and that hitherto, only half of the communications due, had been received. Also, two communications had been received from non-Annex I Parties. He recalled that communications were the basic commitment of all Parties and that their lack would inhibit the ability of the Parties to assess the need for future action to advance implementation and to strengthen the Convention.

5. At its 1st meeting, on 28 July 1997, the SBSTA considered the provisional agenda contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/5.

6. Statements were made by representatives of 3 Parties.

7. At its 1st meeting, on 28 July, the SBSTA adopted the following agenda, in which the former agenda item 9 (Methodological issues related to joint implementation) was shifted to become a sub-item under agenda item 4.

1. Opening of the session.

2. Organizational matters:

(a) Adoption of the agenda;

(b) Election of officers other than the Chairman;

(c) Organization of the work of the session;

(d) Preparation by the SBSTA for the third session of the

Conference of the Parties (COP 3);

3. Division of labour between the SBSTA and the

Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI).

4. Methodological issues.

(a) Programme of work;

(b) Methodological issues related to joint implementation.

5. Cooperation with relevant international organizations.

6. National communications:

(a) Communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention;

(b) Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the

Convention.

7. Development and transfer of technologies.

8. Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase.

9. Report on the session

8. At its 1st meeting, on 28 July, the SBSTA considered the sub-item on the election of officers other than the Chairman.

9. At the same meeting, the Chairman informed the SBSTA of the informal consultations with the representatives of regional groups during the sixth session of the Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate (AGBM) and of the agreement reached on the election of officers other than the Chairman (see FCCC/SBSTA/1997/4, para. 11). Subsequently, the SBSTA elected, by acclamation, Mr. S. Sok Appadu (Mauritius) and Mr. Alvaro J. Rodriguez (Colombia) as

Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur respectively.

10. At its 1st meeting, on 28 July, the SBSTA considered the sub-item on the organization of the work of the session.

11. The Chairman recalled that services for formal meetings with interpretation would be available in the morning, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and in the afternoon, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on 28 and 30 July, and in the afternoon only on 5 August 1997.

12. The Chairman reminded the SBSTA that the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties (COP) had decided previously to continue its policy of allowing representatives of

non-governmental organizations access to the conference room floor before and after, but not during the meetings.

13. The Chairman informed the SBSTA that it was his intention, as during the previous session of the SBSTA, to invoke the flexibility accorded by the Bureau of the COP to the Chairman of each subsidiary body to grant representatives of non-governmental organizations access to the floor, as observers.

14. The Chairman also informed the SBSTA that the applications of two intergovernmental and 10 non-governmental organizations had been screened by the secretariat on the basis of the provisions of Article 7.6 of the Convention and in accordance with the procedures established by the COP for the admission of organizations as observers. The SBSTA agreed to grant access to these organizations for its sessions, pending formal action on their accreditation by the COP at its third session. These organizations are marked with an asterisk in the list of participants (FCCC/1997/INF.3).

15. A meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) of officers of the SBSTA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was planned for 29 July 1997. In view of this meeting and on a proposal by the Chairman, it was agreed to consider item 5 of the agenda on co-operation with relevant international organizations on Wednesday, 30 July 1997. It was further agreed that, in exchange, agenda item 8 on activities implemented jointly be considered on Monday, 28 July 1997.

16. The Chairman reiterated the need that the SBSTA should prepare at the sixth and seventh sessions, recommendations on the issues on the SBSTA agenda that the COP would need to address at its third session. He hoped, in particular, that the SBSTA, in co-operation with the SBI, could already at that session agree on a draft decision regarding the division of labour between both bodies.

17. The lists of attendance at the sixth session of the SBSTA is given in document FCCC/1997/INF.3.

18. The documents prepared for the sixth session of the SBSTA, as well as other documents which were made available, are listed in the annex of the present document.

SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR IMPLEMENTATION (SBI)

19. At its 1st meeting, on 28 July, the SBSTA considered the item on the division of labour between the SBSTA and the SBI on the basis of a proposal from the Chairmen of the SBSTA and the SBI (FCCC/SB/1997/2).

20. On a proposal of its Chairman, endorsed by the Chairman of the SBI, the SBSTA set up an informal contact group to conduct consultations on the division of labour between the two bodies. This group was invited to prepare draft conclusions on the division of labour for adoption by the SBSTA and the SBI, including a recommendation for a draft decision for adoption by the COP at its third session.

21. Statements were made by representatives of 12 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

22. At its 5th meeting, on 5 August, having considered a proposal by the Chairman, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusion:

(a) At their sixth sessions, the SBSTA and the SBI both decided to recommend a draft decision for adoption by the COP at its third session. The text of this decision is included in annex III of the report of the sixth session of the SBI (FCCC/SBI/1997/16).

23. At its 1st meeting, on 28 July 1997, the following documents relating to methodologies were presented by the secretariat, namely FCCC/SB/1997/INF.2, FCCC/SBI/1997/10 and FCCC/SBI/1997/INF.1. Having considered a proposal made by the Chairman, the SBSTA established an informal consultative group under the Co-Chairmanship of the Vice-Chairman of the SBSTA and a delegate. The group met on five occasions and considered priorities on methodological issues, including the implications for the biennium budget of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

24. At the 1st meeting of the SBSTA, statements were made by representatives of 8 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States and another speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

25. At its 4th meeting, on 30 July, the SBSTA examined the report of the informal group. Twelve Parties expressed their views, including one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

26. On a proposal by the Chairman, the SBSTA invited the group to further elaborate its report, taking into account the views expressed, and further comments from Parties, and report back to the SBSTA.

27. On the basis of the work of the group, and upon the proposal of the Chairman, the SBSTA, at its fifth meeting on 5 August, adopted the following conclusions:

28. Regarding the work of other international organizations, the SBSTA:

(a) Welcomed the plans of the IPCC to assess methodologies in the literature that are relevant to all the clusters identified in the work programme, namely those relating to inventories, projection, mitigation, impacts and adaptation, and socio-economic cost-benefit analysis, as part of the Third Assessment Report (TAR). It also noted that such information could contribute to the work of other international organizations, the SBSTA, and other bodies of the Convention;

(b) Noted with appreciation the close collaboration between the IPCC and the secretariat, particularly in the work on inventories of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and strongly supported the future work programme of the IPCC, the Organization for Economic

Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (OECD/IEA) on this topic. Regarding the work on inventories, it requested the IPCC/OECD/IEA programme to consider accelerating its task on uncertainties, so that the results could be taken into consideration by the SBSTA;

(c) Noted and strongly supported the work programmes identified in FCCC/SB/1997/INF.2 as conducted by other international organizations, in particular the work undertaken by the United Nations Enviornment Programme, Collaborating Centre on Environment and Energy at Riso (UNEP/RISO) in Denmark on assessing mitigation measures and policies, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on methods for assessing industrial mitigation technologies and UNEP on methods for assessing impacts of climate change; and

(d) Invited the above international organizations to continue to provide information on their work to the SBSTA.

29. Regarding the work programme to be conducted by the secretariat in the next biennium, the SBSTA:

(a) Decided that the highest priority should be given to activities related to the application of the methods for GHG inventories and that high priority be given to projections of GHG emissions and sinks; and

(b) Decided that priority should also be given to methods for evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness and effects of specific policies and measures and for assessing adaptation strategies and technologies.

30. On the basis of the above, the SBSTA urged the SBI to give consideration to the indicative budget, reflecting priorities for methodological work, proposed in the following table in establishing a UNFCCC budget for the next biennium.

Methodological Activity (Cluster/task)	Resources recommended by the SBSTA for the programme budget 1998-1999 1000 $US/work years
A. Inventorying GHG emissions and sinks	873 6.0
B. Projections of GHG emissions and sinks	333 2.0
C. Mitigation
Evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness and effects of specific policies and measures	135 1.0
D. Impacts and adaptation
Assessing adaptation strategies and technologies	135 1.0
Experts from non-Annex I Parties	90
Total resources (including costs of work years )	1566* 10.0

31. The SBSTA urged the secretariat, in carrying out the work programme on methodologies, to co-operate closely with the IPCC and other international organizations.

32. The SBSTA noted the important need to ensure the participation of experts from Parties, in particular non-Annex I Parties, bearing in mind the need for relevant regional balance and examples given in Article 4.8 of the Convention. It noted that the Trust Fund for supplementary activities could be utilized to support the participation of additional experts from eligible Parties. It urged Parties to provide adequate funding for these activities.

33. The SBSTA requested the secretariat to report on progress on its work programme on methodologies.

34. At the next session, the SBSTA will begin consideration of appropriate ways to provide terms of reference of expert contributions and the review of technical documents to be produced, in accordance with the work programme on methodologies.

35. The SBSTA requested Parties to provide initial comments by January 20, 1998 to the secretariat, on the priority areas and options for work on projections, for compilation into a miscellaneous document, to be considered at the eighth session of the SBSTA.

36. At its 2nd and 5th meetings on 28 July and 5 August, respectively, the SBSTA considered the sub-item on methodological issues related to joint implementation. It had before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.2. Following the expression of various views, the SBSTA concluded to defer this issue for consideration at a future session.

37. Statement were made by representatives of 11 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States and another speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

38. At its 3rd meeting, on 30 July, the SBSTA considered the item on co-operation with relevant international organizations. It had before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/MISC.4.

39. Statements were made by representatives of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC/UNESCO), the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility (GEF/STAP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and UNEP.

40. The Chairman of the SBSTA provided a report on the meeting of the JWG of officers of the UNFCCC and the IPCC, which took place on 29 July 1997.

41. The Chairman and the Chairman-elect of the IPCC made statements and also responded to questions.

42. Statements were made by representatives of 13 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States and another speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

43. Statements were also made by the representatives of the IPCC, the IOC of UNESCO, GEF, WMO and UNEP.

44. At its 3rd meeting, on 30 July, in response to the above mentioned statements, and upon the proposal of the Chairman, the SBSTA:

(a) Noted with appreciation the information provided by IOC/UNESCO, GEF/STAP, WMO and UNEP on the progress of programmes carried out by their respective organizations and other organizations involved in the climate agenda;

(b) Also noted with appreciation the information provided by the Chairman and the Chairman-elect of the IPCC, particularly regarding the TAR, and noted with satisfaction the regional emphasis and the further involvement of experts from developing countries. It invited Parties to submit additional information on key policy issues, particularly regarding the synthesis report, to the secretariat before 20 January 1998, to be compiled into a miscellaneous document;

(c) Requested the secretariat to organize, together with the IPCC, an informal meeting at the next session of the SBSTA to discuss key issues to be addressed in the TAR;

45. The SBSTA called upon Parties to work through other relevant organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to address climate change issues in their deliberations and requested these organizations to provide reports on their work to future sessions of the SBSTA;

46. The SBSTA further requested the above mentioned organizations to continue their valuable work in support of the Convention process.

47. At its 2nd and 5th meetings, on 28 July and 5 August, respectively, the SBSTA considered the sub-item on communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. It had before it documents presented by the secretariat FCCC/SB/1997/5, FCCC/SB/1997/6 and FCCC/SB/1997/INF.3.

48. An informal workshop on updated information from the national communication of

Annex I Parties was organized during the sixth session of the SBI. The report on the outcome of this workshop contained, inter alia, references to methodological issues.

49. A statement was made by the representative of a Party.

50. The SBSTA took note of the documents prepared by the secretariat under this agenda

sub-item and endorsed the proposal from the Chairman that these documents were to be considered by the SBI, in accordance with the proposed division of labour between the SBSTA and the SBI.

51. The SBSTA also took note of the methodological issues outlined in the report on the informal workshop on Annex I communications, referred to in paragraph 48 above.

52. At its 2nd and 5th meetings, on 28 July and 5 August, respectively, the SBSTA considered the sub-item on communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention. It based its discussion on documents FCCC/SBI/1997/9 and FCC/SBI/1997/13 presented by the secretariat. The SBSTA decided to refer this sub-item to the SBI for its consideration.

53. A statement was made by the representative of a Party.

54. The SBSTA took note of the conclusions of the SBI on communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention as provided for in the report of the sixth session of the SBI under item 4 (b).

55. At its 3rd and 4th meetings, on 30 July, respectively, the SBSTA considered the item on development and transfer of technologies. It based its discussion on three documents presented by the secretariat, FCCC/SB/1997/3, FCCC/SB/1997/4 and FCCC/TP/1997/1.

56. Statements were made by representatives of 12 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States, one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and another speaking on behalf of the African Group.

57. At its 5th meeting, on 5 August, upon the recommendation by the Chairman, the SBSTA agreed to the following conclusions.

58. The SBSTA took note with appreciation of the progress reports presented by the secretariat, and the technical report with information on trends of financial flows and terms and conditions employed by multilateral lending institutions.

59. The SBSTA also expressed appreciation for the information on adaptation technology and information centers and networks, and encouraged the secretariat to complete the reports on these subjects for its next session.

60. The SBSTA supported the secretariat's plans to prepare reports on the role of the private sector, and on barriers and enabling activities of governments related to the transfer of technology.

61. The SBSTA encouraged the secretariat to extend its co-operation with other organizations such as the World Bank and the OECD, with the aim of, inter alia, improving the availability of climate relevant data. In this context, it noted that the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD is co-operating with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) in order to introduce a specific biodiversity "marker" in their statistics, and considered the need for similar information regarding climate change projects.

62. The SBSTA discussed the subject of intergovernmental technical advisory panels (ITAPs). It noted that the secretariat had been requested to prepare a report on its experience in using the roster of experts. It recalled that the subject of ITAPs, including their possible establishment, would be considered by the SBSTA at its seventh session and requested Parties to send any new ideas on ITAPs to the secretariat by 31 August 1997.

63. The SBSTA welcomed that the secretariat had made use of the roster in three expert meetings on technology and technology transfer issues and recalled its request to Parties which have not yet done so, to nominate experts for the roster, bearing in mind the need for experts with a background in economic and financial aspects of the transfer of technology.

UNDER THE PILOT PHASE

64. At its 2nd meeting, on 28 July, the SBSTA considered the item on activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase, on the basis of document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.2 presented by the secretariat .

65. Statements were made by representatives of 15 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

66. The SBSTA took note with appreciation of the information on activities implemented jointly contained in the abovementioned document and of the ongoing work of the secretariat in this field.

67. At its 5th meeting, on 5 August, the SBSTA authorized the Rapporteur, under the guidance of the Chairman and with the assistance of the secretariat, to complete the report taking into account the discussions of the Group and the need for editorial adjustments.

68. The chairman, after thanking all participants for their constructive co-operation, declared the sixth session of the SBSTA closed.

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/5 Provisional agenda and annotations.

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/MISC.4 Co-operation with relevant international organizations: Structure and content of the

Third Assessment Report by the IPCC.

Comments by Parties.

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.2 Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase.

FCCC/SB/1997/2 Division of labour between the subsidiary bodies established by the Convention: Note by the Chairman.

FCCC/SB/1997/3 Development and transfer of technologies:

Progress report.

FCCC/SB/1997/4 Development and transfer of technologies:

Update to progress report.

FCCC/SB/1997/5 National communications from Parties included in

Annex I to the Convention.

FCCC/SB/1997/6 Communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention: Inventory and projection data.

FCCC/SB/1997/INF.2 Programme of work on methodologies.

FCCC/SB/1997/INF.3 Status report on the review of first national

communications from Annex I Parties and the submission of second communications.

FCCC/TP/1997/1 Development and transfer of technologies: Trends of transfer of technology and know-how. Trends and basic data on financial flows to developing countries.

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/L.2 National Communications: Communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention.

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/L.3 Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase.

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/L.4 Draft report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific Technological Advice on the work of its sixth session, Bonn, 28 July - 5 August 1997.

FCCC/SBI/1997/L.2 Draft report of the Subsidiary Body of Implementation on the work of its sixth session, Bonn, 28 July - 5 August 1997.

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/4 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and

Technological Advice on the work of its fifth session, Bonn, 25-28 February 1997.

FCCC/SBSTA/1996/20 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and

Technological Advice on the work of its fourth

session, Geneva, 16-18 December 1996.

FCCC/SBI/1997/9 Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention: Secretariat activities to facilitate the provision of financial and technical support. Progress report.

FCCC/SBI/1997/10 Programme Budget of the Convention for the

Biennium 1998-1999.

FCCC/SBI/1997/13 Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention: Information on the submissions of initial national communications.

FCCC/SB/1997/1 Progress report on technology and technology transfer.

FCCC/CP/1995/7 and Add.1 Report of the Conference of the Parties on its

first session, held at Berlin from

28 March to 7 April 1995.

FCCC/CP/1996/15 and Add.1 Report of the Conference of the Parties on its

second session, held at Geneva from

8 to 19 July 1996.

A/AC.237/91/Add.1 Report of the intergovernmental negotiating committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change on the work of its eleventh session held at New York from 6 to 17 February 1995.

Part two: Recommendations to the

Conference of the Parties and other decisions and conclusions of the committee.