GENERAL
FCCC/AGBM/1996/11
20 January 1997
Original: ENGLISH
AD HOC GROUP ON THE BERLIN MANDATE
Fifth session
Geneva, 9-12 December 1996
Paragraphs Page
I. OPENING OF THE SESSION
(Agenda item 1) 1 - 6 3
II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
(Agenda item 2) 7 - 13 4
A. Adoption of the agenda 7 4
B. Organization of the work of the session 8 - 10 5
C. Organization of the work of future sessions 11 5
D. Attendance 12 6
E. Documentation 13 6
GE.96-
Paragraphs Page
III. STRENGTHENING THE COMMITMENTS IN
ARTICLE 4.2(A) and (B)
(Agenda item 3) 14 - 18 6
A. Policies and measures 14 - 16 6
B. Quantified emission limitation and reduction
objectives within specified time-frames 17 - 18 6
IV. CONTINUING TO ADVANCE THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF EXISTING COMMITMENTS IN ARTICLE 4.1
(Agenda item 4) 19 - 20 7
V. POSSIBLE FEATURES OF A PROTOCOL OR
ANOTHER LEGAL INSTRUMENT
(Agenda item 5) 21 - 22 7
VI. CONCLUSIONS TO AGENDA ITEMS 3, 4 AND 5 23 7
VII. REPORT ON THE SESSION 24 - 25 8
I. Documents before the Ad Hoc Group on the
Berlin Mandate at its fifth session 9
II. Report from the Chairman of the informal round table
on proposals from Parties 10
1. The fifth session of the Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate
(hereinafter referred to as "the AGBM") was held at the Palais des
Nations, Geneva, from 9 to 12 December 1996.
2. The Chairman of the AGBM, Ambassador Raúl
Estrada-Oyuela, opened the session on 9 December 1996. In welcoming
the participants, he recalled that only four sessions remained for
the AGBM to complete the Berlin Mandate entrusted to it. The Chairman
encouraged Parties to grasp the opportunity to begin to cut down on
the number of options under discussion on policies and measures,
quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives (QELROs) and
other issues before the AGBM. Referring to the Synthesis of proposals
by Parties (FCCC/AGBM/1996/10), the Chairman noted that this document
highlighted some similarities between different options proposed by
Parties, as well as revealing remaining areas of divergence. He
concluded by expressing the hope that the Synthesis of proposals
would help guide the work of the AGBM at its fifth
session.
3. The Executive Secretary welcomed all participants to the
session. He noted with satisfaction that Parties are giving
increasing thought to the specific content of their proposals. In
this context, he observed that the Synthesis of proposals provides
the AGBM with a clear direction on how its work should proceed. The
Executive Secretary informed the AGBM of changes regarding procedures
for the preparation of documentation and reported on the challenges
faced by the secretariat in its new location in Bonn.
4. Professor Bert Bolin, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC), addressed the AGBM on the newly-issued IPCC
Technical Paper entitled "Technologies, policies and measures for
mitigating climate change", and highlighted for the AGBM aspects of
the IPCC Second Assessment Report which he wished personally to
emphasize. Professor Bolin informed the AGBM that two more technical
papers would be issued in early 1997 and regretted that these were
not yet available to the Group. After discussing different emission
limitation and stabilization options, as well as the various policies
and measures open to Parties to achieve these, Professor Bolin
concluded by expressing the hope that his observations were useful to
the AGBM in its deliberations.
5. In thanking Professor Bolin for his statement, the Chairman
expressed the gratitude of the Group for his valuable contribution as
Chairman of the IPCC to the work of the AGBM.
6. At the 3rd meeting, on 10 December, statements were made on behalf of environmental non-governmental organizations and by a representative of local governments.
7. The AGBM, at its first meeting, on 9 December, 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) Organization of the work of future sessions.
3. Strengthening the commitments in Article 4.2(a) and
(b):
(a) Policies and measures;
(b) Quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives within
specified time-frames.
4. Continuing to advance the implementation of existing commitments in
Article 4.1.
5. Possible features of a protocol or another legal
instrument.
6. Report on the session.
8. At the 1st meeting of the AGBM, on 9 December, the Chairman
recalled that there would be services available for 10 meetings, with
interpretation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The
AGBM accepted the Chairman's proposals to hold an informal round
table on proposals from Parties, and an informal consultation on the
possible impacts on developing country Parties of the new commitments
by Annex I Parties to limit and reduce emissions.
9. The informal round table, chaired at the invitation of the
Chairman by the AGBM Vice-Chairman, Mr. Suphavit Piamphongsant, was
held on the afternoon of 9 December. It was designed to promote the
exchange of information on proposals submitted by Parties thus far,
with an emphasis on those proposals submitted since the fourth
session of the AGBM. These proposals are contained in document
FCCC/AGBM/MISC.2 and Add. 1-4. The round table was very well
attended, and a lively and productive exchange of views took place.
The chairman's report is included in annex II below.
10. An informal consultation was convened by the Chairman on the
subject of the possible impacts on developing country Parties of the
new commitments by Annex I Parties to limit and reduce emissions.
After a productive consultation, the Chairman concluded by welcoming
offers to submit proposals on how to accommodate the concerns of
developing country Parties in the protocol or another legal
instrument to be adopted at the third session of the Conference of
the Parties, and noted that further studies should be available on
this issue by the seventh session of the AGBM.
11. At the 1st meeting of the AGBM, on 9 December, the Chairman
reported on the schedule of meetings of Convention bodies as decided
by the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties. The sixth session of
the AGBM will be held from 3 to 7 March 1997 in Bonn, with subsequent
sessions to be organized within the following periods:
Seventh session 28 July - 7 August 1997 Bonn
Eighth session 20 - 31 October 1997 Bonn
The terms of the Berlin Mandate will be fulfilled at the third
session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 3), to be held at
Kyoto, Japan, within the period 1 to 12 December 1997.
12. The lists of attendance at the fifth session of the AGBM are
given in document FCCC/1996/INF.5.
13. The documents prepared for the AGBM at its fifth session are
listed in annex I below.
14. The AGBM considered this matter at its 2nd meeting, on 10
December. Statements were made by representatives of 28 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 one speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States
(AOSIS).
15. The Chairman of the Annex I Experts Group on the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mr. Ian Pickard
(United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), made a
statement with regard to the work of that group.
16. The conclusions for this item are given in paragraph 23
below.
within specified time-frames
17. The AGBM considered this matter at its 3rd meeting, on 10
December. Statements were made by representatives of 22 Parties,
including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its
member States, and one speaking on behalf of AOSIS.
18. The conclusions for this item are given in paragraph 23
below.
COMMITMENTS IN ARTICLE 4.1
19. The AGBM considered this matter at its 4th meeting, on 11
December. Statements were made by representatives of 21 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. A statement was also made by a representative of a State not
party to the Convention.
20. The conclusions for this item are given in paragraph 23
below.
ANOTHER LEGAL INSTRUMENT
21. The AGBM considered this matter at its 4th and 5th meetings,
on 11 and 12 December. Statements were made by representatives of 29
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, one speaking on behalf of AOSIS, and one speaking on behalf of
the African Group.
22. The conclusions for this item are given in paragraph 23
below.
23. On the basis of a proposal from the Chairman, the AGBM, at its 6th meeting, on
12 December 1996:
(a) Reiterated that the protocol or another legal instrument to be
adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its third session should
implement fully the terms of the Berlin Mandate, and underlined that
the Berlin Mandate process will not introduce any new commitments for
Parties not included in Annex I, but will reaffirm existing
commitments in Article 4.1, and continue to advance the
implementation of these commitments in order to achieve sustainable
development, taking into account Article 4.3, 4.5 and
4.7;
(b) Requested the Chairman, assisted by the secretariat, to
prepare a framework compilation, incorporating textual proposals from
Parties as well as other proposals from Parties for the elements of a
protocol or another legal instrument and identifying the sources.
This paper will receive in-depth consideration, and serve as a basis
for further proposals from Parties at and following the sixth
session, bearing in mind the need to circulate a text in all the
official languages of the United Nations by 1 June 1997;
(c) Invited Parties to submit further proposals, especially
proposals incorporating draft text for the instrument, and requested
the secretariat to issue such proposals in a miscellaneous document
in accordance with the usual practice. Proposals received by 15
January 1997 would be taken into account in the preparation of the
framework compilation requested in subparagraph (b) above;
and
(d) Further requested the Chairman to explore with interested
delegations the concept of differentiation and criteria for
differentiation as applicable to Annex I Parties with a view to
analysing and applying a number of parameters and bringing the
results to an informal round table on the subject to be convened at
the sixth session.
24. At the 6th meeting, on 12 December, the Group accepted a
proposal from the Chairman and requested the Rapporteur, under the
guidance of the Chairman and with the assistance of the secretariat,
to complete the report of the session, taking into account the
discussions of the AGBM, the conclusions on agenda items 3, 4 and 5,
and the need for editorial adjustments.
25. Before concluding, the Chairman noted that considerable
progress had been achieved at this session. The shared willingness to
progress towards a positive outcome had strengthened. Some common
ground had been established, initially in informal discussions
between the Chairman and representatives of delegations, and then in
the meetings. This suggested that at the next session, with the help
of the framework compilation to be prepared by the Chairman, the AGBM
could look forward to more concrete discussions and to developing a
negotiating text. Whilst fully mindful of the difficulties which lay
ahead, the Chairman expressed his optimism that the spirit of the
Group promised a successful outcome for the negotiations. With this,
and after thanking all participants for their constructive
cooperation, the Chairman declared the fifth session of the AGBM
closed.
FCCC/AGBM/1996/8 Report of the Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate
on the work of its fourth session, Geneva, 11-16 July
1996
FCCC/AGBM/1996/9 Provisional agenda and annotations
FCCC/AGBM/1996/10 Synthesis of proposals by Parties
FCCC/AGBM/1996/MISC.2 Implementation of the Berlin Mandate:
proposals and Add.1-4 from Parties
FCCC/CP/1996/15 Report of the Conference of the Parties on its
and Add.1 second session, held at Geneva from
8 to 19 July 1996
I would like to report to you briefly on the informal round table
on proposals from Parties which I had the pleasure of chairing.
Presentations were made by 13 Parties on the proposals they had
submitted to the secretariat. These were: Australia, Gambia, Ireland
(on behalf of the European Community and its member States), Japan,
New Zealand, Norway, Russian Federation, Samoa (on behalf of AOSIS),
Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America
and Zaire. The proposals presented can be found in full in document
FCCC/AGBM/1996/MISC.2 and Add.1-4. My remarks are focused upon the
ensuing discussion.
The round table was very well attended and a lively exchange of
views took place in an informal atmosphere. I was particularly
pleased that debate focused on concrete issues and specific
proposals. A notable feature of the round table was the number of
interesting new ideas which were presented and discussed. Concern was
expressed, however, about what could be achievable in the time
available.
On the subject of policies and measures, discussion focused both
on the merits of specific policies and measures and how these might
be organized in a protocol or another legal instrument. The
possibility of raising carbon charges or taxes was mentioned, as was
the potential for a producer tax on fossil fuels. The reduction of
fossil fuel subsidies was also supported by a number of Parties. The
elaboration of policies and measures through listing in annexes was a
common theme in the debate, although opinions continued to differ on
whether these should be mandatory or based on a 'menu'
approach.
Debate over QELROs elicited some interesting ideas, particularly
on the distribution, and methods of implementation, of commitments.
Regarding distribution, some Parties expressed the view that
differentiation of commitments among Annex I Parties should be
pursued in order to ensure the equity and cost-effectiveness of
QELROs. A wide range of indicators were put forward to determine the
distribution of commitments in a differentiated regime. Other
Parties, whilst recognizing the merits of differentiation in
principle, were concerned that the elaboration of such a concept at
this stage would not be possible in the limited time available to the
AGBM to complete its work.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who attended for their participation at this informative round table. This was a very constructive meeting which will serve as a useful
springboard for our substantive deliberations.