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.