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.
|
|
A. Inventorying GHG emissions and sinks |
|
B. Projections of GHG emissions and sinks |
|
C. Mitigation |
|
Evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness and effects of specific policies and measures |
|
D. Impacts and adaptation |
|
Assessing adaptation strategies and technologies |
|
Experts from non-Annex I Parties |
90 |
Total resources (including costs of work years ) |
|
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.