Distr.

GENERAL

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/14

10 November 1997

Original: ENGLISH




SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE






Paragraphs Page

OPENING OF THE SESSION

(Agenda item 1) 1 - 2 4

II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

(Agenda item 2) 3 - 10 4

Adoption of the agenda 3 4

B. Organization of the work of the session 4 - 7 5

Preparations by the SBSTA for the third session

of the Conference of the Parties 8 6

D. Attendance 9 6

E. Documentation 10 6





GE.97-

Paragraph Page

III. CO-OPERATION WITH RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL

ORGANIZATIONS 11 - 14 6

(Agenda item 3)

IV. NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS 15 - 17 9

(Agenda item 4)

Communications from Parties included in Annex I

to the Convention 15 - 16 9

Communications from Parties not included in

Annex I to the Convention 17 10

V. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES 18 - 21 10

(Agenda item 5)

VI. DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF

TECHNOLOGIES 22 - 28 12

(Agenda item 6)

Programme of work 22 - 25 12

 

Activities by Annex II Parties regarding the

transfer of technologies 26 - 28 13

VII. ROSTER OF EXPERTS 29 - 31 14

(Agenda item 7)

VIII. ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTED JOINTLY UNDER THE

PILOT PHASE 32 - 34 16

(Agenda item 8)

IX. REPORT ON THE SESSION 35 17

(Agenda item 9)

X. CLOSURE OF THE SESSION 36 - 37 17

Annexes




I. Draft decisions recommended by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific

and Technological Advice for adoption by the Conference of the Parties

at its third session 18

II. List of key policy issues to be addressed in the

Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change 24

III. List of documents before the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and

Technological Advice at its seventh session 26

I. OPENING OF THE SESSION

(Agenda item 1)


1. The seventh session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) was held at the Beethovenhalle, Bonn, from 20 to 28 October 1997.

2. At the 1st meeting on 20 October 1997, the Chairman of the SBSTA,

Mr. Tibor Faragó (Hungary), opened the session and 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. He urged delegates to make efficient use of the time allocated and to conclude the negotiations in a timely manner. He further noted that this was the last session of the SBSTA before the third session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 3) and, therefore, the last opportunity for the SBSTA to make recommendations for decisions to be adopted at COP 3.


II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

(Agenda item 2)

 

A. Adoption of the agenda

(Agenda item 2 (a))


3. At its 1st meeting, on 20 October 1997, the SBSTA considered the provisional agenda contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/7, and adopted the following agenda:

1. Opening of the session.

2. Organizational matters:

(a) Adoption of the agenda;

(b) Organization of the work of the session;

(c) Preparations by the SBSTA for the third session of the

Conference of the Parties (COP 3).

Co-operation with relevant international organizations.

4. 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.

5. Methodological issues.



6. Development and transfer of technologies:

(a) Programme of work;

(b) Activities by Annex II Parties regarding the transfer of technologies.

Roster of experts.

8. Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase.

9. Report on the session.

 

B. Organization of the work of the session

(Agenda item 2 (b))


4. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1st meeting, on 20 October, during which the Chairman recalled the need to start on time as otherwise services for interpretation would be lost. Full conference services would be available for one morning and one afternoon meeting from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Chairman recalled that a roundtable on activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase had been scheduled for the evening of 20 October and an informal meeting with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the Third Assessment Report (TAR) had been scheduled for the afternoon of 22 October.

5. The SBSTA agreed to the Chairman's proposal to amend the suggested approach to the organization of work contained in the annotations to the provisional agenda (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/7) by taking up additional items at its first meeting.

6. The Chairman informed the SBSTA that applications for observer status from three intergovernmental and 21 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 (see document FCCC/SB/1997/INF.4). The SBSTA agreed to grant these organizations access to the current session of the SBSTA, pending formal action on their accreditation by the COP at its third session.

7. The SBSTA also agreed to the Chairman's proposal to follow the recommendations on the division of labour between the SBSTA and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) that were agreed by both bodies at their sixth sessions, and consequently to allow one body to take overall responsibility in considering an issue. Specific inputs from the other body would be obtained by establishing informal joint working groups. It was agreed therefore to establish joint working groups on the development and transfer of technologies and on activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase, agenda items for which the SBSTA would take the overall responsibility.

C. Preparations by the SBSTA for the third session of the

Conference of the Parties

(Agenda item 2 (c))


8. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1st and 4th meetings, on 20 and 28 October respectively. At the 1st meeting, the SBSTA agreed to forward to COP 3 recommendations of draft decisions for adoption. At its 4th meeting, the Chairman recalled that Article 9.1 provides, inter alia, that the SBSTA "shall report regularly to the Conference of the Parties on all aspects of its work". In that connection, the SBSTA requested its Chairman to present to COP 3 the reports of the SBSTA on the work of all of its sessions since the second session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 2), namely, its fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh sessions.

D. Attendance


9. The seventh session of the SBSTA was attended by representatives of 127 Parties and by observers from 6 States not parties to the Convention. It was also attended by representatives of 8 United Nations offices and programmes, 7 specialized agencies, 5 intergovernmental organizations and 122 non-governmental organizations(1).

E. Documentation


10. The documents before the SBSTA at its seventh session are listed in annex III below.


III. CO-OPERATION WITH RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL

ORGANIZATIONS

(Agenda item 3)

 

1. Proceedings


11. The SBSTA considered this item at its 3rd and 4th meetings, on 24 and 28 October respectively. It had before it documents FCCC/SBSTA/1997/8 and FCCC/SBSTA/1997/MISC.6. These documents contained reports prepared by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on the monitoring of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere and on the International Conference on the World Climate Research Programme, as requested by the SBSTA at its fourth and fifth sessions. The documents were introduced by representatives of the WMO, who also provided an oral report on the status of the Global Climate Observing System. Two additional documents, the Special Report on Regional Impacts of Climate Change and Technical Paper 4 on Implications of Proposed CO2 Emissions Limitations, were made available by the secretariat of the IPCC.

12. At the 3rd meeting, on 24 October, statements were made by the Chairman and the Chairman Emeritus of the IPCC, both of whom also responded to questions. Statements were made by representatives of 20 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States. Statements were also made by representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Technology and Economic Assessment Panel under the Montreal Protocol.

13. Two informal meetings were organized with the IPCC on the Third Assessment Report (TAR) and on Technical Paper 4 on Implications of Proposed CO2 Emissions Limitations, on 23 and 28 October, respectively. A report on the outcome of the first informal meeting was made by its Rapporteur, at the 3rd meeting of the SBSTA on 24 October, and a report on the outcome of the second informal meeting was made by its Chairman at the

4th meeting of the SBSTA on 28 October.

2. Conclusions


14. At its 4th meeting, on 28 October, having considered a proposal by the Chairman, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:

(a) The SBSTA noted with appreciation the information provided by the Chairman and the Chairman Emeritus of the IPCC in relation to the conclusions of the thirteenth session of that body, particularly regarding the structure and content of the Third Assessment Report (TAR), and noted with satisfaction the regional emphasis and the arrangements made for further involvement of experts from developing countries. It also noted the election of the new IPCC Bureau.

(b) The SBSTA also noted with appreciation the information given at the informal meeting organized by the secretariat and the IPCC on key issues that Parties wished to have included in the TAR, particularly in its synthesis report (for the list of issues, see annex II below). In that connection, it recalled that, at its sixth session, it had invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, before 20 January 1998, additional information on key policy issues to be addressed in the TAR, and that some Parties had already submitted the comments contained in FCCC/SBSTA/1997/MISC.4. The information compiled would be made available through the Joint Working Group of officers of the Convention bodies and of the IPCC.

(c) The SBSTA took note of the IPCC Special Report on Regional Impacts of Climate Change and the IPCC Technical Paper 4 on Implications of Proposed CO2 Emissions Limitations, requested by the SBSTA. The latter paper was prepared in response to the request by the SBSTA to provide an assessment of the implications for projected temperature increases, sea level rise and other changes in climate of different proposals for the limitation of greenhouse gas emissions by Annex I Parties. The SBSTA took note of the differing views and concerns expressed with regard to Technical Paper 4 and drew the paper to the attention of the other bodies of the Convention.

(d) The SBSTA noted the progress in the preparation of the IPCC special reports on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere, Methodological and Technological Aspects of Technology Transfer: Opportunities for Technology Co-operation, and Emission Scenarios, and requested the IPCC to complete those reports as soon as feasible.

(e) The SBSTA noted with appreciation the reports provided by the WMO in response to its requests at its fourth and fifth sessions, which covered the following subjects:

(i) Monitoring of GHGs in the atmosphere;

(ii) Report on and statement from the International Conference on the World Climate Research Programme: Achievements, Benefits and Challenges, held at Geneva, 26-28 August 1997;

(iii) Status of the Global Climate Observing System.

(f) The SBSTA underlined the importance of the systematic observation and monitoring of GHGs and components of the climate system, and the need for adequate global coverage to provide basic information for scientific studies on the impact on the climate system of changes in atmospheric composition. The SBSTA agreed to consider further this issue at its next session.

(g) The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to those Parties already operating stations for the monitoring of GHGs, as well as to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for its support in the establishment and operation of several stations.

 

(h) The SBSTA invited the relevant international organizations to continue their valuable work in support of the Convention process through the provision of periodic reports to the SBSTA, and, in particular, to identify gaps that developing countries faced in the following areas:

(i) Endogenous capacity to monitor and assess important climate change

parameters;

(ii) Systematic observational networks to identify the possible onset and

distribution of climate change and assess potential impacts, particularly at the

regional level.

(i) The SBSTA also noted the message by the International Conference on the World Climate Research Programme to the Conference of the Parties contained in FCCC/SBSTA/1997/MISC.6.

(j) The SBSTA also noted with appreciation the information provided by the UNEP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel under the Montreal Protocol and by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

(k) The SBSTA decided to recommend for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its third session, a draft decision on co-operation with the IPCC and a draft decision on the development of observational networks of the climate system (for the texts of these draft decisions, see annex I below).


IV. NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

(Agenda item 4)

 

A. Communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention

(Agenda item 4 (a))

 

1. Proceedings

15. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1st and 3rd meetings, on 20 and 24 October respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SBSTA/1997/13; FCCC/SB/1997/6; FCCC/SBI/1997/19 and Add.1; and FCCC/SBI/1997/INF.4. Statements were made by representatives of nine Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

2. Conclusions

16. At its 3rd meeting, on 24 October, having considered a proposal by the Chairman, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:

(a) The SBSTA took note of the documents prepared by the secretariat related to this agenda sub-item, in particular, an annex on methodological issues contained in document FCCC/SBI/1997/19. It invited Parties to submit to the secretariat by 15 March 1998 their views on possible approaches aimed at resolving those methodological issues, and requested the secretariat to compile them for consideration at its eighth session.

(b) The SBSTA recalled decision 9/CP.2, requesting Annex I Parties to submit their national inventory data on an annual basis by 15 April of each year. In addition, the SBSTA invited Annex I Parties to make available to the secretariat by 6 June 1998, for purposes of comparison and transparency, their complete 1996 GHG inventories obtained using, when possible, best available methodologies and those obtained using the current IPCC default methodologies. The SBSTA requested the secretariat to draw upon the roster of experts to

analyse and compare the results and assess the adequacy of information and the implications for meeting emissions limitation or reduction objectives, and to make them available for its

ninth session.

(c) The SBSTA requested the secretariat to prepare, for consideration at its

ninth session, a document listing methodological issues identified by the secretariat while processing national GHG inventories and in the course of in-depth reviews, taking into account the submissions from Parties.

(d) The SBSTA agreed to consider at its ninth session what, if any, additions and/or amendments to the revised UNFCCC guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Annex I Parties would be required, taking into account the results of the above-mentioned activities, together with inputs from other bodies, such as the IPCC.

(e) The SBSTA forwarded to the SBI a text for inclusion as operative paragraph 1 of a draft decision on this sub-item to be recommended by the SBI for adoption by the COP at its third session (for the text of the draft decision, see document FCCC/SBI/1997/21, annex I).



B. Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention

(Agenda item 4 (b))

17. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1st meeting, on 20 October. It noted that, as was indicated in the annotations to the provisional agenda (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/7, para. 18), in view of the agreed division of labour, this item would be discussed by the SBI. Since there were no methodological issues under this sub-item that needed to be addressed at the current session, there was, therefore, no need for an input from the SBSTA.



V. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES

(Agenda item 5)

1. Proceedings

18. The SBSTA considered this item at its 2nd, 3rd and 4th meetings, on

21, 24 and 28 October respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SBSTA/1997/9 and FCCC/1997/TP/2.

19. At its 2nd meeting, on 21 October, the Chairman informed the SBSTA that he had received a communication from the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate (AGBM) requesting the SBSTA to consider some methodological issues raised by Parties in their submissions to the AGBM. As several delegations considered it more appropriate to address these issues later, subsequent to any agreement on a protocol or another legal instrument, the Chairman decided to draw the attention of the Chairman of the AGBM to earlier related conclusions of the SBSTA (FCCC/SBSTA/1996/20, paras. 30 and 54) and decision 9/CP.2.

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

2. Conclusions

21. At its 4th meeting, on 28 October, having considered a proposal by the Chairman, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:

(a) The SBSTA recalled decision 9/CP.2, which states that if Parties carry out any adjustments to inventory data, for example for climate variations or trade patterns in electricity, these adjustments should be reported in a transparent manner, with a clear indication of the method followed. Both adjusted and unadjusted data should be provided. The SBSTA also recalled that, at its fourth session, it had stressed the necessity of reporting inventories in mass units without adjustments, according to the guidelines, and had concluded that adjustments were to be regarded as important information in relation to the monitoring of emission trends and the performance of policies and measures, and should be reported separately (see FCCC/SBSTA/1996/20).

(b) On the basis of the information in document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/9, the SBSTA further concluded that weather adjustments, in particular temperature adjustments, to national GHG inventories and projections might be a useful tool to understand the factors influencing emissions and to assess the effectiveness of policies and measures. For those purposes, individual Parties may choose whether adjustments are applied, in addition to reporting unadjusted inventory data, and, if so, which methods are chosen. The SBSTA encouraged Parties to share with others their experiences with the application of adjustments.

(c) The SBSTA noted that the information in document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/9 and FCCC/TP/1997/2 might have a bearing on the work of the SBI and AGBM and invited those bodies to consider that information in their work.

(d) The SBSTA noted with appreciation the decision of the IPCC at its

thirteenth session to accelerate work on uncertainties related to GHG inventories in the IPCC/OECD/IEA programme, as requested by the SBSTA at its sixth session.

(e) The SBSTA requested the secretariat to prepare a report that aimed to identify the gaps faced by developing countries in the areas of research on, and development of, methodologies related to the preparation of inventories of emissions from sources and removals by sinks, with a view to obtaining the highest quality information needed to reduce scientific uncertainty while maintaining comparability.

VI. DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGIES

(Agenda item 6)

A. Programme of work

(Agenda item 6 (a))

1. Proceedings

22. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 2nd and 4th meetings, on 21 and 28 October respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SBSTA/1997/10; FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.5 and FCCC/TP/1997/3. An additional document, the Preliminary Review of Existing Technology Information Centres and Networks, was also made available by the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI).

23. Statements were made by representatives of seven Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States. A statement was also made by a representative of the Parties co-operating in the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI).

2. Conclusions

24. At its 4th meeting, on 28 October, having considered a proposal made by the Chairman on the basis of inputs from a joint working group established by the SBSTA and the SBI, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:

(a) The SBSTA took note with appreciation of the progress report on development and transfer of technologies prepared by the secretariat (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/10), of the technical report with an overview of adaptation technologies (FCCC/TP/1997/3), and the preliminary review of existing technology information centres and networks prepared by the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI).

(b) The SBSTA welcomed the activities of the secretariat, in co-operation with the University of Amsterdam (IVAM Environmental Research), to expand the survey of technology and technology information needs to all non-Annex I Parties, and requested the latter to co-operate with the secretariat in its completion.

(c) The SBSTA noted the need to accelerate the process of providing information on technologies. With respect to the first level of options in document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/10, para. 44, it suggested that the International Energy Agency (IEA) should seek means to open GREENTIE to participation by all Parties, and requested the secretariat to explore options to enhance support for training, in non-Annex II Parties, in the use of information technologies.

(d) The SBSTA urged Parties to provide comments on (an) international centre(s), including their possible functions as well as institutional and financial arrangements, by

30 March 1998, to be compiled into a miscellaneous document. It requested the secretariat to further update information on the topic for the next session.

(e) The SBSTA requested the SBI to consider options for funding (an) international centre(s) and enhancing support for national or regional centres. In that context it called upon the secretariat to consult with the GEF and other relevant international organizations and solicit information on their capabilities and abilities to support the work of (an) international technology information centre(s), as well as national and regional centres; and enhance support for national and regional centres, and to report to the SBSTA and the SBI on its findings.

25. The SBSTA decided to recommend for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its third session, a draft decision on the development and transfer of technologies, which includes elements relating to agenda sub-item 6 (b) (for the text of the draft decision, see annex I below).



B. Activities by Annex II Parties regarding the transfer of technologies

(Agenda item 6 (b))

1. Proceedings

26. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 2nd and 4th meetings, on 21 and 28 October, respectively. It had before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/13.

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

2. Conclusions

28. At its 4th meeting, on 28 October, having considered a proposal made by the Chairman on the basis of inputs from a joint working group established by the SBSTA and the SBI, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:

(a) The SBSTA took note with appreciation of the document prepared by the secretariat on activities of Parties included in Annex II related to transfer of technology (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/13), which was based on second national communications.

(b) The SBSTA requested all Annex II Parties that had not submitted their

second national communications to follow the reporting guidelines, and urged those Parties that had already submitted their second communications to provide supplementary information on finance and transfer of technology, if their initial information was incomplete.

(c) The SBSTA took note of the need for better information with respect to finance and transfer of technology and agreed to consider at its ninth session what, if any, additions and/or amendments to the revised guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Annex II Parties would be required. It invited Parties to submit to the secretariat by

15 March 1998 their views on reporting information on finance and transfer of technology and requested the secretariat to compile them for consideration at its eighth session. It also urged the secretariat to explore other means of obtaining such information, including the in-depth reviews of national communications.



VII. ROSTER OF EXPERTS

(Agenda item 7)

1. Proceedings

29. The SBSTA considered this item at its 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th meetings, on

20, 21, 24 and 28 October, respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SBSTA/1997/11 and FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.6.

30. Statements were made by representatives of 19 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.

2. Conclusions

31. At its 4th meeting, on 28 October, having considered a proposal made by the Chairman, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:

(a) The SBSTA noted the need for the provision of technical inputs to its work on methodological and technological issues. In this connection, Parties considered the issues of the use of the roster of experts and the use of the intergovernmental technical advisory panels.

(b) The SBSTA recalled its intention, as agreed at its fourth session, to expand the roster to include experts in the field of methodologies, and requested the secretariat to seek additional nominees with methodological expertise from Parties, reflecting the priority areas in the work programme. Recognizing that there were still gaps in some of the areas of expertise in the roster, particularly as regards individuals with backgrounds related to the economic and financial aspects of transfer of technology and know-how, such as bilateral aid programmes, multilateral lending and private-sector banking, the SBSTA encouraged Parties to nominate additional experts in relevant fields. For any tasks identified in the future programme of work of the SBSTA, Parties should be asked to nominate further experts.

(c) The SBSTA concluded that the areas of expertise currently covered in the roster would suggest that, in addition to other uses of the roster, experts might provide the SBSTA with advice on particular tasks relating to technological and methodological issues, including the preparation and review of reports. It noted that rosters maintained by other IGOs also provided lists of experts with experience relevant to the work of the Convention secretariat.

 

(d) The SBSTA requested the secretariat, in utilizing experts on the roster for its work, to take into account the following criteria:

 

(i) That the experts should have a professional background relevant to the issues/subjects;

(ii) That the roster should be regularly updated, on the basis of submissions from Parties, particularly taking into account projects/tasks defined by the SBSTA;

(iii) That a balanced regional representation should be maintained;

(iv) That the element of capacity building should be fully respected.

(e) The SBSTA requested the secretariat to review its standardized form for

collecting information on nominees to the roster of experts and decided to consider this form and the data base generated from its use, at its eighth session.

(f) The SBSTA also requested the secretariat to report annually on the following data

with respect to the roster of experts (including any changes in these data):

(i) The application of the criteria adopted to select the experts;

(ii) The regional participation of experts by task, with a breakdown of participation by country;

(iii) Regional participation and promotion of capacity building.

(g) The SBSTA concluded that, to date, there had not been sufficient experience to fully evaluate the utility of the roster or its use by the secretariat. It therefore requested the secretariat to continue using the roster when providing the SBSTA with advice on technologies and methodologies, and to prepare a further evaluation of the roster for submission to the Conference of the Parties at its fifth session.







VIII. ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTED JOINTLY UNDER THE

PILOT PHASE

(Agenda item 8)

1. Proceedings

32. The SBSTA considered this item at its 1st, 3rd and 4th meetings, on

20, 24 and 28 October, respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SBSTA/1997/12 and Corr.1 and 2, and Add.1, and FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.3. A roundtable on activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase was held in the evening of

20 October.

33. Statements were made by representatives of 22 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and another speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States. Statements were also made by representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

2. Conclusions

34. At its 4th meeting, on 28 October, having considered a proposal made by the Chairman on the basis of inputs from a joint working group established by the SBSTA and the SBI, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:

(a) The SBSTA and the SBI took note of the synthesis report by the secretariat on activities implemented jointly (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/12 and Corr.1 and 2, and Add.1) as well as of the concise update containing preliminary findings with regard to work on methodological issues (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.3).

 

(b) The SBSTA and the SBI decided to forward this synthesis report to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

(c) The SBSTA invited Parties participating in the pilot phase of activities implemented jointly to note that the deadline for the submission of reports to be taken into account in the synthesis report for the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties was 30 June 1998.

(d) The SBSTA and the SBI decided to recommend a draft decision on activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its third session (for the text of the draft decision see annex I below).









IX. REPORT ON THE SESSION

(Agenda item 9)

35. At its 4th meeting, on 28 October, the SBSTA approved the draft report on the work of its seventh session as contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1997/L.6(2). It authorized its Rapporteur, in consultation with the Chairman and with the assistance of the secretariat, to finalize the report as appropriate.



X. CLOSURE OF THE SESSION

36. At the 4th meeting, on 28 October, closing statements were made by representatives of Luxembourg (on behalf of the European Community and its member States), Canada, Malaysia and the

United States of America, in which tribute was paid to the Chairman for the part he had played in guiding the work of the SBSTA.

37. In closing the session, the Chairman noted that this was his last meeting as Chairman of the SBSTA. He thanked all participants for their constructive co-operation throughout his term of office and expressed his hope for a successful outcome at Kyoto.



Annex I

Draft decisions recommended by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological

Advice for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its third session



Page

 

Co-operation with the Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change 19

Development of observational networks of the

climate system 20

Development and transfer of technologies 21

Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase 23







Draft decision --/CP.3

1. Co-operation with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The Conference of the Parties,

Reaffirming its decision 6/CP.2, paragraph 5, in which it urged continuing

co-operation between the Convention bodies and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),

1. Expresses appreciation to the IPCC for its contribution to the Convention process, particularly through its prompt response to requests from the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice ( SBSTA) for technical papers, special reports and Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, as well as for its plans for the preparation of the Third Assessment Report (TAR); and, in this connection, requests the SBSTA to give further consideration to issues related to the work of the IPCC and to formulate policy-relevant questions which should be addressed in the TAR;

2. Thanks the Chairman Emeritus of the IPCC, Professor Bert Bolin, for his outstanding work and his valuable scientific contribution to the Convention process;

3. Invites the subsidiary bodies of the Convention, in particular the SBSTA, to continue their co-operation with the IPCC.






Draft decision --/CP.3

2. Development of observational networks of the climate system

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling Articles 4.1(g) and 5 of the Convention,

Noting the importance of the observations, analysis and research relevant to the various components of the climate system,

1. Expresses appreciation of the work carried out by the relevant intergovernmental

organizations, particularly the development of such observational programmes as the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS);

2. Recognizes the concerns raised by the relevant intergovernmental organizations with regard to the long term sustainability of these observational systems;

3. Urges Parties to provide the necessary resources to reverse the decline in the existing observational networks and to support the regional and global observational systems being developed under GCOS, GOOS and GTOS, through appropriate funding mechanisms;

4. Requests the SBSTA, with the assistance of the secretariat and in consultation with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to consider the adequacy of these observational systems and to report on its conclusions to the Conference of the Parties at its fourth session.

Draft decision --/CP.3

3. Development and transfer of technologies

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling the relevant provisions of the programme for the further implementation of Agenda 21 on the transfer of environmentally sound technologies adopted by the

United Nations General Assembly at its nineteenth special session,

Noting the role of the public and private sectors in developing and disseminating environmentally sound and economically viable technologies related to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change,

Recognizing the progress made by countries in fostering the institutional and regulatory environment necessary for the introduction of environmentally sound technologies and the need for continued efforts by Parties to remove existing market barriers to technology dissemination,

Recalling its decisions 13/CP.1 and 7/CP.2 on transfer of technology,

Having considered the progress reports presented by the Convention secretariat on the development and transfer of technology,

1. Reaffirms decisions 13/CP.1 and 7/CP.2 on transfer of technology;

2. Requests the Convention secretariat;

(a) To continue its work on the synthesis and dissemination of information on environmentally sound technologies and know-how conducive to mitigating, and adapting to, climate change; for example, by accelerating the development of methodologies for adaptation technologies, in particular decision tools to evaluate alternative adaptation strategies, bearing in mind the work programme on methodological issues as approved by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) at its sixth session (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/6, section IV);

(b) To consult with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other relevant international organizations, and solicit information on their capabilities and abilities to support the work of (an) international technology information centre(s), as well as national and regional centres, and to enhance support for national and regional centres, and to report to the SBSTA and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) on its findings; and

(c) To consider specific case studies, as part of its work on terms of transfer of technologies, drawing on the experience of Parties, including demonstration projects, with the aim of evaluating barriers to the introduction and implementation of environmentally sound technologies and know-how, and of promoting their practical application;

3. Requests the SBI to consider options for funding (an) international technology information centre(s) and enhancing support for national or regional centres;

4. Requests the SBSTA to forward any conclusions regarding technology information centres and enhancing support for national or regional centres to the SBI for consideration;

Urges Parties:

(a) To create an enabling environment to help further stimulate private-sector investment in, and transfer of, environmentally sound technologies; and

(b) To improve reporting in national communications on technology needs and technology transfer activities, as indicated in the reporting guidelines adopted by the Parties.





Draft decision --/CP.3

4. Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase

The Conference of the Parties,

Acknowledging the contributions of the Parties which submitted reports on activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase,

Noting the progress made in the pilot phase as evidenced in the synthesis report on activities implemented jointly (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/12 and Corr.1 and 2, and Add.1) and the concise update on contact and activity information (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.3),

1. Takes note of the synthesis report on activities implemented jointly (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/12 and Corr.1 and 2, and Add.1);

2. Reaffirms its decision 5/CP.1 on activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase;

3. Adopts the uniform reporting format contained in FCCC/SBSTA/1997/4, and invites Parties to report in accordance with that format and to provide inputs to the secretariat on their experience in using it, so that, if necessary, changes can be incorporated.





Annex II

List of key policy issues to be addressed in the Third Assessment Report

of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The issues listed below were identified by Parties during an informal meeting with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), taking note of the fact that the list may not be exhaustive. Parties have been invited to submit to the secretariat, before 20 January 1998, additional information on key policy issues to be addressed in the Third Assessment Report (TAR).

1. General suggestions:

- Assess and narrow the range of uncertainties;

- Improve and simplify the presentation of results;

- Timely dissemination of reports in print and via electronic mail (where available);

- Translation of literature into, and utilization of literature in, languages other than English;

- Inclusion of an index in the TAR in order to facilitate its use;

- Improve assessment by narrowing the range of uncertainties and indicating the limitations of results;

- Present the results in such a way as to ensure the TAR remains advisory in nature.

Specific requests to the IPCC:

(a) To develop and improve existing scenarios, taking into account current technological developments and efforts of developing countries in response to climate change.

(b) To quantify the social, economic and environmental implications of :

- different stabilization pathways in all sectors;

- technologies and related costs, and the necessary policies needed to set limits of e.g. 2 o C, 20 cm sea level rise and a CO2 concentration of 550 ppmv;

- changes in various indicators of climate change;

- different levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations, with a view to interpreting Article 2 of the Convention.

(c) To improve and update Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) in order to narrow the range of uncertainties.

(d) To assess the adequacy of land, ocean and satellite- based observational and monitoring systems.



(e) To develop and improve existing methodologies and guidelines to assess

GHG sinks, and other gases not yet included in the IPCC assessment, such as nitrogen fluoride.

Policy- relevant questions:

(a) Would delaying action increase the risk of surprises, in particular in the form of rapid and/or irreversible changes to the climate system?

(b) With respect to equity-related issues:

- What are the linkages between historic emissions and future climate change?

- How can barriers be removed to facilitate the transfer of technologies between developed and developing countries?

(c) What are the technological options for adaptation, particularly low-cost options, for developing countries?

(d) What are the costs of action and inaction in response to climate change?

(e) What are the linkages between the El Niño phenomenon, changes in regional precipitation and extreme weather events, on the one hand, and global warming, on the other hand?

(f) What are the interactions between climate change and other environmental changes; what are their implications for policies responses; and what are the economic and social costs?

(g) What are the most common minority views which contradict the consensus of available scientific conclusions?



Annex III

List of documents before the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and

Technological Advice at its seventh session



Documents prepared for the session

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/7 Provisional agenda and annotations

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/8 Cooperation with relevant international organizations: Monitoring of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/9 Methodological issues: Progress report

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/10 Development and transfer of technologies: Progress report

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/11 Roster of experts: Experience of the secretariat in its use

 

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/12 Synthesis report on activities implemented jointly

and Corr.1 and 2, and Add.1 under the pilot phase

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/13 Second communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Activities of Parties included in Annex II related to transfer of technology

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

 

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.5 Development and transfer of technologies. Proposal from a Party: Draft decision regarding the transfer of technologies

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/INF.6 Roster of experts: Nominations to the roster

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/MISC.6 Conference on the World Climate Research Programme. Report on the Conference

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/L.5 Methodological issues: Draft conclusions

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/L.6 Draft report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on the work of its seventh session

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/CRP.3 Second communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Activities of Parties included in Annex II related to technology transfer. Comments from experts included on the Roster

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



Other documents for the session

FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1 Report of the Conference of the Parties on its first session, held at Berlin from 28 March to 7 April 1995. Part two

FCCC/CP/1996/15/Add.1 Report of the Conference of the Parties on its second session, held at Geneva from

8 to 19 July 1996. Part two

FCCC/SBSTA/1995/2 Proposed programme of work

FCCC/SBSTA/1995/3 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on the work of its first session held at Geneva from

28 August to 1 September 1995

FCCC/SBSTA/1996/2 Establishment of Intergovernmental Technical Advisory Panel(s)

FCCC/SBSTA/1996/3 Communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention: Report on the guidelines for the preparation of first communications by Annex I Parties

FCCC/SBSTA/1996/MISC.3 Establishment of Intergovernmental Technical Advisory Panel(s): Comments from Parties, positions of the Group of 77 and China, and of the United States of America

 

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/1997/6 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on the work of its

sixth session, Bonn, 28 July - 5 August 1997

FCCC/SBI/1997/17 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation on the work of its sixth session, Bonn,

28 July - 5 August 1997

FCCC/SBI/1997/19 Communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention: First compilation and synthesis of second communications

FCCC/SBI/1997/19/Add.1 Communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention: First compilation and synthesis of second communications. Addendum: Tables of inventories of anthropogenic emissions and removals and projections up to the year 2020

FCCC/SBI/1997/INF.4 Communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Updated information on greenhouse gas emissions and projections

FCCC/TP/1997/2 Methodological issues: Temperature adjustments

FCCC/TP/1997/3 Adaptation technologies



- - - - -

1. For the full list of participants, see document FCCC/1997/INF.4.

2. Made available during the meeting under the symbol FCCC/SBSTA/1997/CRP.4.