FCCC/SBI/1998/CRP.5

9 November 1998

ENGLISH ONLY

SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Ninth session

Buenos Aires, 3-10 November 1998

Agenda item 3

1. The SBI invited the SBSTA to take into account the issues raised in FCCC/CP/1998/INF.9 on its ongoing methodological work on GHG inventories and on the guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Annex I Parties. The SBI further invited the SBSTA to provide clear guidance to Annex I Parties on the reporting of revisions to previously submitted inventory data. The SBI further urged the SBSTA to forward any relevant conclusions to the SBI no later than at the eleventh session.

2. The SBI noted the need for further efforts to improve completeness, consistency and comparability of data and information.

3. The SBI invited Parties to submit, by 1 February 1999, their views on the scope of third national communications, which should be included in the answers to the questionnaire, requested by the SBSTA at its eighth session.⁽¹⁾

4. The SBI began its discussion on how the future in-depth review process could be conducted, reported and considered on the basis of document FCCC/CP/1998/4. The SBI further invited Parties to submit, by 1 March 1999, their views on the scope and the modalities of the review process for the third national communications, including in-depth reviews, in the context of the Kyoto Protocol. The SBI requested the secretariat to prepare, for consideration at its tenth session, a document containing suggestions for the future review process, taking into account the views of Parties and the relevant requirements of the Kyoto Protocol.

5. The SBI took note of document FCCC/CP/1998/5 and requested the secretariat to prepare a report on data comparisons to enable Parties to reach a conclusion on the feasibility of data comparisons at the tenth session of the SBI. It requested the secretariat to evaluate, in that report, the feasibility of data comparisons, including the availability of information on gases, sectors and sources, and the level of disaggregation. The report should also include specific suggestions on further work related to data comparisons, including comparisons of activity data, emission estimates and emission factors. Further, the SBI requested identification and analysis of the utility of sources other than national communications or inventories and methods of their compilation. The secretariat was requested to estimate the related resource implications.

6. The SBI recalled decision 6/CP.3 and requested the secretariat to provide a report on the information contained in national inventory submissions for the tenth session of the subsidiary bodies. The SBI also requested the secretariat to include the available projection data in that report.

7. The SBI decided to recommend, for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its fourth session, a draft decision on national communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention.

[For the text of the draft decision, see the annex below].

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling the relevant provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in particular, Articles 4, 5, 6, 7.2, 9.2(b), 10.2, 11 and 12,

Recalling its decisions 9/CP.2 and 6/CP.3 on communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties), and decision 4/CP.3, which amended the list in Annex I to the Convention,

Having considered the relevant recommendations of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation,

Noting with appreciation the second compilation and synthesis of second national communications from Annex I Parties,⁽²⁾ prepared by the secretariat pursuant to decision 6/CP.3, paragraph 2(a), and the summary compilation of annual greenhouse gas inventory data from Annex I Parties,⁽³⁾

1. Decides that those Parties included in Annex I to the Convention by decision 4/CP.3 which have not submitted a first national communication should do so no later than six months after the entry into force of the amendment to Annex I, namely by 13 February 1999, or as soon as possible thereafter;

2. Requests Annex I Parties to submit to the secretariat, in accordance with Article 12.1 and 12.2 of the Convention:

(a) A third national communication⁽⁴⁾ by 30 November 2001 and subsequent national communications on a regular basis, at intervals of three to five years, to be decided at a future session. The Parties referred to in paragraph 1 above should submit their second and subsequent national communications by the same dates;

(b) National inventory data on emissions of greenhouse gases by sources and removals by sinks on an annual basis by 15 April for the period up to the last but one year prior to the year of submission;

(c) Summary tables of national inventory data in electronic format and in hard copy. Additional and explanatory information should also, to the extent possible, be submitted in electronic format, as well as hard copy;

3. Requests its subsidiary bodies to consider the scope, modalities and options for the review process, including the review of annual inventory information, and the need for more thorough consideration of national circumstances and reporting requirements under the Kyoto Protocol, and to report, as appropriate, to the Conference of the Parties, at its fifth session, on any proposed changes, with a view to adopting revised guidelines for the review process at its sixth session;

4. Decides that each national communication referred to in paragraph 2(a) above should be subject to an in-depth review, coordinated by the secretariat and in accordance with the revised guidelines;

5. Requests the secretariat to explore options for interim reporting by Parties on specific issues, including via on-line forms or tables, and for the analysis and publication of such reporting as interim compilation and synthesis reports by the secretariat;

6. Urges Annex I Parties that have not already done so, to submit their second national communications, which were due by 15 April 1997 or 1998, as soon as possible,

7. Urges Annex I Parties that have not already done so, to submit national inventory data, which were due by April 15 1998, as soon as possible,

8. Concludes, with respect to the reporting of information in national communications by Annex I Parties, that:

(a) Those Parties are fulfilling their Article 4.2(b) commitments to report detailed information on national policies and measures on the mitigation of climate change, as described in the compilation and synthesis of second national communications;

(b) Information contained in second national communications was generally of a higher quality than in the first national communications, thus providing a better basis for evaluating the scope and achievements of national climate change mitigation strategies;

(c) Further efforts are required to improve adherence to the relevant guidelines so as to ensure greater completeness, consistency and comparability of the data and information, including on the implementation of Article 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5;

9. Concludes, with respect to the reporting of information in national communications by Parties included in Annex II to the Convention, that those Parties are fulfilling their Article 12.3 commitments by reporting on their commitments regarding the transfer of technology and the provision of financial resources, as described in the second compilation and synthesis, but that most of them do not follow the tabular format requested by the revised guidelines annexed to decision 9/CP.2. In this regard, every effort should be made by Annex II Parties to use the tabular format;

10. Concludes, with respect to the implementation of the Convention by Annex I Parties, recognizing the need to take further action to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention, that:

(a) As described in the second compilation and synthesis report, Annex I Parties collectively had by 1995 reduced their greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by about 4.6 per cent; aggregate greenhouse gas emissions by Annex I Parties are projected to be approximately 3 per cent below 1990 levels in the year 2000 and about 8 per cent above 1990 levels in the year 2010;

(b) As described in the second compilation and synthesis report, greenhouse gas emissions from Annex I Parties with economies in transition declined by 28 per cent while Annex II Parties as a whole exhibited growing aggregate greenhouse gas emissions, with an increase of 3.5 per cent from 1990 to 1995;

(c) Annex I Parties are fulfilling their Article 4.2 commitments to implement national policies and measures to mitigate climate change but, according to available information in the second compilation and synthesis report, many Annex I Parties will not return greenhouse gas emissions to1990 levels by the year 2000;

11. Notes that Annex II Parties are providing bilateral contributions and all Annex II Parties contribute to the Global Environment Facility, and that there is a need to address the concern expressed by some Parties that Annex II Parties are falling short of their commitments related to the transfer of technology and the provision of financial resources;

12. Invites the SBSTA to consider the means by which the reporting requirements under the guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Annex I Parties in relation to the transfer of technology and the provision of financial resources might better identify and reflect the range of actions being taken by Annex II Parties. In this context, additional guidance should be provided by the SBI with respect to information needs and reporting on technology transfer and financial assistance;

13. Decides that Slovenia, having invoked Article 4.6 of the Convention requesting flexibility to use a base year other than 1990, should be allowed to use 1986 as a base year.

1. FCCC/SBSTA/1998/6.

EZE.98-

2. FCCC/CP/1998/11 and Add. 1-2.

3. FCCC/CP/1998/INF.9.

4. This term includes communications from the regional economic integration organization included in Annex I to the Convention.