Distr.

GENERAL

FCCC/SB/1997/2

22 May 1997

Original: ENGLISH

SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Sixth session

Bonn, 28 July - 5 August 1997

Item 3 of the provisional agenda

SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE

Sixth session

Bonn, 28 July - 5 August 1997

Item 3 of the provisional agenda

Paragraphs Page

I. INTRODUCTION 1 - 3 3

A. Mandate 1 3

B. Background 2 3

C. Scope of the note 3 3

GE.97-

Paragraphs Page

II. PROPOSAL FOR A DIVISION OF LABOUR 4 - 11 3

A. General approach 4 3

B. National communications from Parties 5 4

C. Development and transfer of technology 6 4

D. NGO consultations 7 - 8 5

E. Activities implemented jointly 9 5

F. Education, training and public awareness 10 - 11 5

III. POSSIBLE ACTION BY THE SBI AND THE SBSTA 12 6

1. The existing division of labour between the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) shows overlap and duplication on a number of issues. In view of this, at its second session, the

Conference of the Parties (COP) decided that the question of the division of labour between the SBI and the SBSTA should be taken up by the COP, at its third session, on the basis of recommendations made by the chairmen of the two subsidiary bodies.

2. The tasks of the SBI and the SBSTA are provided for under Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention. They are elaborated in decision 6/CP.1 of the COP and in decisions related to specific issues, particularly decision 13/CP.1 and decision 3/CP.1 which relate to the transfer of technology and submission and review of national communications respectively.

3. This note outlines a proposed approach for further defining and elaborating the division of labour between the two subsidiary bodies, drawing upon their experience. An effort has been made to anticipate the evolution of the tasks of the subsidiary bodies regarding longer-term activities and to address areas where overlap and/or duplication of work occurs. The current note focuses on rationalization and reduction in duplication only.

4. The underlying principle of the proposed division of labour is simplicity. The aim is to streamline the process of consideration of issues, so as to increase the efficiency in the use of time during meetings, to avoid confusion and to reduce the overall workload. Where possible, only one subsidiary body would deal with an issue which would be reflected in only its agenda and documents. If the other body needed to consider certain aspects of the issue, the Chairmen of the bodies, with the help of the secretariat, would work out a practical arrangement.

5. Decision 6/CP.1 assigned responsibilities for aspects of this issue to both the SBI and the SBSTA, providing for consideration of policy aspects by the SBI and scientific and technical aspects by the SBSTA. However, in view of the inherent ambiguity in some instances, the following division of labour may be considered.

(a) The SBSTA would:

(i) Develop guidelines for the provision of comparable information, including all related methodological issues;

(ii) Consider, upon the request of the SBI, national communications and other relevant documentation, such as technical papers, with the aim of, inter alia, verifying methodologies used and making recommendations on their refinement, preparing scientific assessments on the effects of measures taken in the implementation of the Convention, reviewing projections and their assumptions, and assessing comprehensiveness and effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation measures.

(b) The SBI would:

(i) Develop guidelines on the processes for consideration of national communications;

(ii) Consider the information contained in national communications, other relevant documentation and compilation and synthesis reports, with a view to assisting the COP in evaluating the extent to which progress towards the objective of the Convention is being achieved.

6. In the present phase of consideration of this issue, it might be advisable if the SBSTA were to address all aspects of this issue, such as technology identification, assessment and development as well as transfer of technology. It is recognized, however, that at some point in the future, the SBI will need to be involved with respect to the implementation of commitments as provided for in decision 6/CP.1.

7. Taking into account the competence of each subsidiary body, the SBI could have overall responsibility for policy questions related to mechanisms for consultations with

non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

8. Should the SBSTA or any other subsidiary body feel that NGOs could provide relevant input on an item being considered, that body could seek and consider such inputs.

9. Decision 5/CP.1 has established a basis for a division of labour between the two subsidiary bodies with regard to Activities Implemented Jointly. Based on this decision, the following is suggested.

(a) The SBSTA would:

(i) Develop the framework for reporting, including consideration of scientific, technical and methodological aspects of the reports;

(ii) Prepare a synthesis report of activities for the COP.

(b) The SBI would:

(i) Assist the COP with any comprehensive review of the pilot phase, on the basis of inputs from the SBSTA.

10. The issues of public awareness, information dissemination, education, training and participation are provided for under Articles 4.1(i) and 6 of the Convention. These issues are not currently defined in the division of labour of the two subsidiary bodies. As attention is increasingly drawn to these issues, and efforts by Parties in these areas expand, the subsidiary bodies may need to consider various aspects of these issues and provide advice to the COP and secretariat as appropriate.

11. A division of labour should take into account the mandates of the subsidiary bodies. The development of programmes for education, raising public awareness, information dissemination and public participation is linked to information available from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Since the SBSTA provides the interface with the IPCC it might be easier for the SBSTA to deal with these issues. Training is already being considered by the SBI.

12. In considering this note, the SBI and the SBSTA may wish to consider and agree upon a division of labour between the two subsidiary bodies regarding the above mentioned issues. To this end, they may wish to set up an informal contact group with representatives of both bodies, which could prepare draft conclusions on the division of labour for adoption by the SBI and the SBSTA, including a draft decision for adoption by the COP at its third session.

1. The term "national communication" includes communications from the regional economic integration organization included in Annex I to the Convention.