GENERAL

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/7

16 September 1999

Original: ENGLISH

Eleventh session

Bonn, 25 October - 5 November 1999

Item 2 (a) of the provisional agenda

Paragraphs Page

I. ANNOTATIONS TO THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA 1 - 81 1

II. LIST OF DOCUMENTS 17

1. The eleventh session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) is scheduled to be opened by the Chairman at 4 p.m. on Monday, 25 October 1999.

(a) Adoption of the agenda

2. The provisional agenda for the eleventh session of the SBSTA will be presented for adoption. It may need to be adjusted on the basis of action taken by the Conference of the Parties (COP) at the first meeting of its fifth session.

GE.99-

(b) Organization of the work of the session

(i) General approach to the session

3. The SBSTA will meet from the afternoon of Monday, 25 October, until early in the following week. Upon completion of the work of the SBSTA, the Chairman will report to the Conference of the Parties on results achieved and on any outstanding issues. The subsidiary bodies will draft decisions and conclusions by Monday, 1 November and Wednesday, 3 November to be recommended to the COP for consideration and adoption thereafter.

(ii) Schedule

4. Following consultations with the Chairmen of the subsidiary bodies, a tentative schedule of meetings has been included in document FCCC/CP/1999/1.

5. The SBSTA may aim to complete its work on items allocated to it separately by Monday, 1 November. Items 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be taken up initially in a joint meeting of the subsidiary bodies, scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, 26 October. The subsidiary bodies should aim to complete their work on these items by Wednesday, 3 November.

6. The scheduling of meetings for the session will be based on the availability of facilities during normal working hours. To facilitate the work of Parties, provision has been made for the holding of two simultaneous meetings, with full interpretation, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., during the entire period when the subsidiary bodies are meeting, including Saturday, 30 October. It is anticipated that either formal or informal meetings will be held every evening, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will also be some facilities for informal meetings without interpretation. Delegations are urged to use these facilities fully by attending all meetings promptly at the scheduled time.

(c) Election of officers

7. The Chairman of the SBSTA will be elected by the Conference of the Parties during the first meeting of its fifth session, on the morning of Monday, 25 October. Pursuant to Rule 27 of the draft rules of procedure being applied,⁽¹⁾ each subsidiary body shall elect its own Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur. The Chairman of the SBSTA, following consultations with the regional groups, will propose nominations for these two positions and seek the confirmation of the SBSTA. Early agreement on these nominations will enable the SBSTA to commence its substantive work in an efficient manner.

8. Background: By its decision 5/CP.4,⁽³⁾ the Conference of the Parties requested the SBI and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to continue consideration of the implementation of Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention at their tenth and eleventh sessions, and to report thereon to the Conference of the Parties at its fifth session. The COP also decided to implement the programme of work set out in the annex to that decision, which included the organization of an expert workshop. This workshop is scheduled to be held in Bonn from 21 to 24 September 1999, in accordance with the terms of reference for the workshop adopted by the SBSTA at its tenth session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, annex I).

9. Action: The SBSTA and the SBI will have before them the conclusions of the workshop (FCCC/SB/1999/9). In accordance with the above-mentioned programme of work, the subsidiary bodies are to consider the outcome of the workshop and prepare a report, including conclusions and/or a draft decision for consideration by COP 5, to assist the COP in identifying initial actions to be taken in implementing Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention, as well as Articles 2.3 and 3.14 of the Kyoto Protocol.

10. Background: The joint working group on compliance (JWG) was convened during the tenth sessions of the subsidiary bodies, at which time it adopted its work programme contained in document FCCC/SBI/1999/8, annex II. The JWG agreed that the work programme would include an opportunity, in October 1999, for an informal exchange of views and information on compliance. The co-Chairs of the JWG will provide the SBI and the SBSTA with an informal report on this event, which is scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria, on 6 and 7 October.

11. Under its work programme, the JWG invited Parties to provide submissions to the secretariat in response to questions related to a compliance system under the Kyoto Protocol. Submissions received from Parties are contained in document FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.12. The JWG also requested the co-Chairs, supported by the secretariat, to produce a synthesis of all proposals by Parties and to include elements related to a compliance system under the Kyoto Protocol. The JWG will have before it document FCCC/SB/1999/7 and Add.1 containing elements of a compliance system and a synthesis of proposals by Parties.

12. Action: The JWG may wish to review the proposals and information contained in the above-mentioned documents, with a view to developing further the elements of a comprehensive compliance system under the Kyoto Protocol. The JWG, in accordance with decision 8/CP.4, is to report on the progress made in its work, through the SBI and the SBSTA, to COP 5. The COP may wish to consider the establishment of an ad hoc working group.

13. Background: The COP, by its decision 5/CP.1,⁽⁴⁾ established the pilot phase of activities implemented jointly (AIJ) and called for a conclusive decision to be taken on the pilot phase, and the progression beyond that, no later than the end of the present decade. In response to decision 6/CP.4, which reiterated decision 5/CP.1 and also referred to decision 7/CP.4 on the work programme on the mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol, the subsidiary bodies, at their tenth sessions, agreed to undertake a comprehensive review of the AIJ pilot phase at their eleventh sessions, with a view to preparing a recommendation to COP 5 on further steps (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 89 (g)).

14. The comprehensive review would cover the list of issues referred to in paragraph 89 (c)(i)-(x) of the above document. The subsidiary bodies had requested that the secretariat prepare a report reflecting submissions from Parties on that list of issues in the context of the reporting framework for the AIJ pilot phase. Parties were invited to submit views by 7 July 1999 (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 89 (d)-(e)).

15. Document FCCC/SB/1999/5 on the AIJ pilot phase has, therefore, two main parts and an addendum: part one contains a report on issues to be addressed in a comprehensive review of the AIJ pilot phase; part two is the (annual) third synthesis report on the AIJ pilot phase, called for in decision 5/CP.1, which will assist the COP in reviewing the progress of the pilot phase; and the addendum contains tables on all AIJ projects and a draft revised uniform reporting format based on inputs by Parties to the secretariat on their experience in using the uniform reporting format adopted in decision 10/CP.3.

16. Action: The SBSTA and the SBI may wish to take note of document FCCC/SB/1999/5. The SBSTA and the SBI may also wish to consider the revised uniform reporting format contained in the addendum to that document and prepare a recommendation to COP 5 on possible further steps, with a view to taking a conclusive decision on the AIJ pilot phase and the progression beyond, before the end of the present decade.

17. Background: By its decision 7/CP.4, the COP agreed on a work programme on the mechanisms under Articles 6, 12 and 17 of the Kyoto Protocol, including the list of elements annexed to that decision, to be undertaken with priority given to the clean development mechanism, and with a view to taking decisions on all the mechanisms at its sixth session. It invited Parties to submit proposals on principles, modalities, rules and guidelines for the mechanisms (subsequently compiled as document FCCC/SB/1999/INF.2 and addenda) and requested the secretariat to prepare a plan for facilitating capacity-building on the mechanisms to be considered by the subsidiary bodies at their tenth sessions.

18. In taking note of this synthesis of proposals by Parties, the subsidiary bodies, at their tenth sessions, requested the Chairmen to prepare, with the assistance of the secretariat, a revised and consolidated synthesis of proposals, identified by sources, for consideration at their eleventh sessions (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 94 (d)). This second synthesis of proposals, which takes into account decision 7/CP.4, views expressed by Parties at the tenth sessions of the subsidiary bodies, and further submissions by Parties received by 31 July 1999 (document FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.10 and Add.1), is contained in document FCCC/SB/1999/8.

19. This revised and consolidated synthesis of proposals by Parties is in four parts: part one contains the definitions and abbreviations used throughout the document; and parts two, three and four contain the proposals by Parties on (i) the nature and scope, (ii) the methodological and operational issues, and (iii) the institutional issues pertaining to Articles 6, 12 and 17. For matters of a technical nature which require further inputs by Parties, the structure foresees the inclusion of appendices on each of the mechanisms, as appropriate.

20. The SBSTA and the SBI, at their tenth sessions, also took note of an initial framework for the plan for facilitating capacity-building under decision 7/CP.4 and requested the secretariat to prepare a plan for facilitating capacity-building related to the mechanisms (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 94 (a) and (e)). The plan (FCCC/SB/1999/6), and further steps, will be considered under provisional agenda item 7, Capacity-building.

21. Action: The SBSTA and the SBI may wish to consider the revised and consolidated synthesis of proposals in document FCCC/SB/1999/8 and the submissions by Parties in the miscellaneous documents FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.10 and Add.1. The synthesis document contains a proposal on possible action by the SBSTA and the SBI, including action on a draft negotiating text on the principles, modalities, rules and guidelines for the mechanisms, to be prepared by the Chairmen for consideration at the twelfth sessions of the subsidiary bodies; on further proposals by Parties, in particular on issues related to the appendices included in the synthesis document for each mechanism; and on a workshop on mechanisms to be held in March/April 2000, provided sufficient funding for this purpose is available in a timely manner. The SBSTA and the SBI are invited to provide further guidance to the Chairmen on how to proceed with the work programme on mechanisms under decision 7/CP.4, with a view to decisions being taken at the sixth session of the COP, including, where appropriate, recommendations to the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The SBSTA and the SBI are to report to the COP, as appropriate, on the outcome of their deliberations.

22. Background: The issue of capacity-building touches on a range of needs and activities related to the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. A number of decisions by the Conference of the Parties at its fourth session contain guidance on the issue.⁽⁵⁾

23. A proposal by the Group of 77 and China for a draft decision on capacity-building for developing countries is contained in document FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.9. A plan for facilitating capacity-building related to the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms is contained in document FCCC/SB/1999/6. This plan, requested by the subsidiary bodies at their tenth sessions (see paragraph 20 above) was prepared by the secretariat based on views expressed by Parties. Submissions by Parties on this matter received by 31 July 1999 are contained in document FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.11.

24. Additional information on capacity-building relating to the global climate observing systems, the development and transfer of technologies, the preparation of national communications, as well as the activities of the Global Environment Facility is contained in documents FCCC/SBSTA/1999/10, FCCC/SBSTA/1999/11, FCCC/SBI/1999/INF.7 and FCCC/CP/1999/3 respectively.

25. A revised version of the inter-agency capacity-building project proposal for the Clean Development Mechanism is contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.8. It is being made available to Parties for their information following a request by the SBSTA at its tenth session. The revised version builds on the views of Parties on capacity-building, as reflected in document FCCC/SB/1999/6.

26. Action: Parties may wish to consider the contents of the above-mentioned documents and come prepared with views on how the issue of capacity-building under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol might best be addressed in an integrated manner, bearing in mind its different substantive elements. The SBSTA and the SBI may wish to recommend to the COP the adoption of a draft decision on capacity-building.

(a) Guidelines for the preparation of national communications⁽⁶⁾

27. Background: At its tenth session, the SBSTA concluded that discussions on revisions to part II of the guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Parties included in Annex I to the Convention should continue at its eleventh session. It requested the secretariat to prepare a document reflecting the status of discussions on the draft text of part II of the guidelines at the close of the tenth sessions (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 27 (h)).

28. Also at its tenth session, the SBSTA had before it preliminary draft guidance for reporting on systematic observation prepared by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) secretariat. Noting that this guidance was undergoing further review, the SBSTA decided to consider the issue at its eleventh session and urged the GCOS secretariat to make the revised draft available in sufficient time for this session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 75 (b)).

29. The SBSTA will have before it a note by the secretariat containing a revised draft text of part II of the guidelines (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13), referred to as 'the Chairman's revised draft text', an addendum which reflects the status of discussions on the draft text of the guidelines at the close of the tenth session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13/Add.1), referred to as 'working paper No. 4'and an addendum containing draft guidance for reporting on global climate observing systems from the GCOS secretariat (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13/Add.2).

30. Action: The SBSTA may wish to consider these documents with a view to reaching agreement on the proposed revisions to the UNFCCC guidelines at this session and on a draft decision for consideration by the COP. The SBSTA may further wish to provide the SBI with information on this matter for its consideration, including any draft decision. The adoption of revised guidelines by the COP at this session would provide Annex I Parties with adequate time to prepare their third national communications. Their adoption could also expedite the implementation of the work programme on methodological issues related to Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol, as some of the elements covered in that work programme would build on the revised guidelines.

31. The SBSTA may also wish to consider the information contained in documents FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13 and Add.1 and determine whether the Chairman's revised draft text or working paper No. 4 should serve as a basis for further discussions.

32. The SBSTA may also wish to consider the information contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13/Add.2 and decide whether this information might be reflected in part II of the guidelines. (Refer also to SBI agenda item 8 (b)).

(b) "Best practices" in policies and measures

33. Background: By its decision 8/CP.4, the Conference of the Parties requested the secretariat to prepare a report on "best practices" in policies and measures for consideration by the SBSTA at its eleventh session, based on Annex I Party national communications and their reviews and additional information submitted by Parties by 15 August 1999, as well as any other relevant information, with a view to strengthening the sharing of experience and exchange of information. It also requested the secretariat to organize a workshop to assess "best practices" in policies and measures on the basis of the conclusions of the SBSTA at its eleventh session, and report the results to the Conference of the Parties at its sixth session. The Government of Denmark has kindly offered to host this workshop in Copenhagen from 11 to 13 April 2000.

34. In response to the above-mentioned request, the SBSTA will have before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/8, which provides an overview of the information contained in second national communications and in-depth review reports on policies and measures and their links to greenhouse gas emissions. This document presents possible approaches to assessing "best practices" in policies and measures as well as issues for consideration at the workshop. The SBSTA will also have before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.10 containing submissions from Parties.

35. Action: The SBSTA may wish to take note of these documents and provide guidance to the secretariat on approaches to the consideration of "best practices" in policies and measures, including possible subjects for discussion at the Copenhagen workshop in April 2000. The SBSTA will report to the COP on its deliberations, as appropriate.

(a) Land-use, land-use change and forestry

36. Background: The SBSTA, at its tenth session, decided to continue consideration of land-use, land-use change and forestry issues at its eleventh session. In particular, it:

(i) Invited Parties to review, and where possible respond to, the questions posed in tables 1 and 2 of document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/5, and to identify any additional policy or procedural questions, by 16 August 1999. Submissions from Parties are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.7;

(ii) Decided to consider further the process and timing for the analysis of the information to be provided by the special report being prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the subject, and the process for developing its work programme on land-use, land-use change and forestry in order to fulfil, inter alia, the provisions of decision 9/CP.4; and

(iii) Decided to begin consideration of the need for country-specific data and information and its relationship to a decision-making framework in the context of the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. Parties were invited to provide submissions on this subject by 16 August 1999. These submissions are also contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.7.

37. The SBSTA also invited the IPCC to provide an in-depth progress report, and to convene a special side event, on the draft IPCC special report on land-use, land-use change and forestry during the eleventh session of the SBSTA (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 41). The special side event is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 26 October, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m..

38. Action: Parties may wish to come prepared to make short presentations of approximately 5 minutes, during any contact group meetings which may be convened on this subject, to facilitate substantive discussion on the issues mentioned in paragraph 36. The SBSTA will report to the COP, as appropriate, on its deliberations.

(b) National systems, adjustments and guidelines under Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol

39. Background: The SBSTA, at its tenth session, took note of the information provided by the secretariat on a work programme on methodological issues related to Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol, contained in document FCCC/SB/1999/2, and endorsed this work programme, noting that some aspects relating to Article 3 of the Kyoto Protocol may need to be further discussed in relation to Articles 5, 7 and 8 of that Protocol. The work programme deals with preparatory activities related to those articles of the Protocol pertaining to the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, as elaborated in decision 8/CP.4.

40. The SBSTA decided to consider the characteristics of national systems and issues relating to adjustments, referred to in Article 5 of the Kyoto Protocol, at its eleventh session. It requested Parties to provide views on these items by 15 August 1999. These submissions are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.9 and Add.1. It also requested the secretariat to organize a workshop on these topics prior to its twelfth session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 34).

41. A representative of the IPCC Programme on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories will present an oral progress report on its work on uncertainty and good practices in inventory management, in view of the relevance of this work to this item of the provisional agenda.

42. Action: Parties may wish to come prepared to provide their views on national systems and issues relating to adjustments on the basis of views received from Parties and on the

above-mentioned work programme, with the aim of facilitating further consideration of guidelines and modalities under Article 5 of the Kyoto Protocol.

43. In view of the relationship between issues pertaining to reporting and review under Articles 7 and 8 and compliance-related elements of the Kyoto Protocol, Parties may also wish to come prepared with views on further activities to be undertaken to complete the work programme, particularly those which will be necessary for developing guidelines under Articles 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol. The SBSTA will report to the COP on its deliberations, as appropriate.

(c) Emissions resulting from fuel used for international transportation

44. Background: By its decision 2/CP.3, the COP urged the SBSTA to further elaborate on the inclusion of emissions based upon fuel sold to ships or aircraft engaged in international transport in the overall greenhouse gas inventories of Parties.

45. The SBSTA, at its tenth session, decided to continue its work in accordance with decision 2/CP.3, paragraph 4, and to consider the IPCC Special Report on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere, at its eleventh session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 46 (f)). It invited Parties to submit their views on these issues to the secretariat by 16 August 1999. Submissions from Parties are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.8.

46. At the same session, the SBSTA invited the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to inform it of their work plans relating to emissions based on fuel sold to ships or aircraft engaged in international transport and to provide regular progress reports at future sessions of the SBSTA (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 46 (d)). Representatives of IMO and ICAO have been invited to address the SBSTA on their activities.

47. The SBSTA also invited the secretariat to explore ways to further strengthen the exchange of information between ICAO, IMO and the SBSTA. The secretariat will deliver a report to the SBSTA during this session, on activities it has undertaken in this area.

48. Action: The SBSTA may wish to consider the views of Parties contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.8 and the IPCC Special Report on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere with a view to identifying its future work in accordance with decision 2/CP.3.

(d) Impact of single projects on emissions in the commitment period

49. Background: By its decision 1/CP.3, paragraph 5 (d), the COP identified, as an issue to be considered by COP 4, the "consideration of and, as appropriate, action on suitable methodologies to address the situation of Parties listed in Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol for which single projects would have a significant proportional impact on emissions in the commitment period". By its decision 16/CP.4, the COP requested the SBSTA to report any additional information on this issue to it at its fifth session and resolved to take a conclusive decision on the matter, as appropriate, at that session.

50. Parties are invited to refer to document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.3, which contains submissions from Parties on this issue.

51. Action: The SBSTA may wish to consider the information provided by Parties contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.3, and any additional information relevant to the issue, with a view to drafting a decision on this item to be recommended for adoption by the COP, in accordance with decision 16/CP.4.

(e) Scientific and methodological aspects of the proposal by Brazil

52. Background: The Conference of the Parties, at its third session, decided that the proposal presented by Brazil in document FCCC/AGBM/1997/MISC.1/Add.3 should be referred to the SBSTA for advice on the methodological and scientific aspects of the proposal. At its fourth session, the COP requested the SBSTA to inform it, at its fifth session, of any relevant information, taking into account the results of ongoing scientific activities and information from a workshop to be organized by Brazil on that issue.

53. The delegation of Brazil provided a preliminary report to the SBSTA at its tenth session on activities relevant to this proposal, including information from a workshop on this issue which it had organized. The SBSTA noted this information and decided to consider the scientific and methodological aspects of the proposal by Brazil at its eleventh session. It invited the delegation of Brazil to further inform the SBSTA of the results of its workshop and provide it with other relevant information at that session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 56).

54. Action: The SBSTA may wish to consider any new information on this topic.

(f) Other matters

55. The SBSTA, at its tenth session, noted that the report on the expert meeting convened by the IPCC-OECD-IEA Programme on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories on "Evaluating approaches for estimating net emissions of carbon dioxide from forest harvesting and wood products" (Dakar, 5-7 May 1998) was now available from the IPCC.⁽⁷⁾ It decided to continue its discussion on this issue at its eleventh session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 57).

56. The secretariat will deliver a report on progress made in providing information on decision tools to evaluate climate change impacts and adaptation strategies.

57. Action: Parties may wish to come prepared to express their views on this issue.

58. At its first session, the COP decided, inter alia, "to review, at the second session of the Conference of the Parties, and at each session of the Conference of the Parties thereafter, the implementation of Article 4.5 and 4.1(c) of the Convention as a separate agenda item" (decision 13/CP.1). This decision was reaffirmed by decisions 7/CP.2,⁽⁸⁾ 9/CP.3 and 4/CP.4.

(a) Status of the consultative process (decision 4/CP.4)

59. Background: By its decision 4/CP.4, the COP requested the Chairman of the SBSTA to establish a consultative process on the transfer of technology. At its tenth session, the SBSTA endorsed the proposal by the Chairman that the secretariat organize three regional workshops, one in Africa, one in Asia and the Pacific Islands, and one in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also recognized that, given the time and resources available, it would not be possible to complete the regional workshops before the fifth session of the COP, and invited the Chairman of the SBSTA, with the assistance of the secretariat, to complete the regional workshops by early 2000, and to report to the SBSTA at its twelfth session, with a view to taking a decision by COP 6 (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 69 (c) and (d)).

60. The SBSTA will have before it a progress report on the development and transfer of technologies (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/11). This report includes information on the outcome of the African regional workshop held in Arusha, Tanzania, 16-18 August 1999. The report also provides information on the CTI/Industry Joint Seminar on Technology Diffusion in Eastern Europe organized by the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI), in cooperation with the UNFCCC secretariat, which was held in Bratislava, Slovakia, 14-17 July 1999.

61. Action: The SBSTA may wish to consider the progress of the transfer of technology consultative process with a view to providing further guidance to the Chairman of the SBSTA on this activity. As requested by decision 13/CP.1, the SBSTA will report relevant information to the COP.

(b) Ways and means of limiting emissions of hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons

62. Background: By its decision 13/CP.4, the COP invited Parties, the relevant bodies of the Montreal Protocol, the IPCC, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations to provide information to the secretariat, by 15 July 1999, on available and potential ways and means of limiting emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), including their use as replacements for ozone-depleting substances, and encouraged the convening of a workshop on the issue by the IPCC and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel of the Montreal Protocol (TEAP) in 1999. It requested the secretariat to compile the information, including, if available, the conclusions of the workshop, for consideration by the SBSTA at its eleventh session. It further requested the SBSTA to report on this information to the Conference of the Parties at its fifth session, and to seek further guidance from the Conference of the Parties on this matter at that session.

63. The secretariat developed an on-line form to assist Parties and organizations to provide information via its web site. Submissions by Parties and intergovernmental organizations are provided in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.6. The full texts of all submissions by Parties, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations is available on the web site of the UNFCCC secretariat (http://www.unfccc.de/program/wam/). Computer diskettes with all submissions will be available for Parties at the session.

64. The SBSTA will also have before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.7, which provides an overview of the submissions and a summary of the joint IPCC/TEAP expert meeting on options for the limitation of emissions of HFCs and PFCs, held in Petten, the Netherlands, 26-28 May 1999. Representatives of the IPCC and TEAP have been invited to deliver statements to the SBSTA on the workshop and its report.

65. Action: Parties may wish to come prepared with views on:

(i) Future activities concerning the relationship between efforts to protect the stratospheric ozone layer and efforts to safeguard the global climate (bearing in mind the activities under way in other intergovernmental organizations);

(ii) Whether Parties and other organizations should be further encouraged to submit information on ways and means of limiting emissions of HFCs and PFCs; and

(iii) Future activities to be undertaken by the secretariat on these matters, including whether it should maintain a database on ways and means of limiting emissions of HFCs and PFCs.

(c) Coastal adaptation technologies

66. Background: At its tenth session, the SBSTA agreed to consider, at its eleventh session, the issues contained in the technical paper on coastal adaptation technologies (FCCC/TP/1999/1) (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, para. 70 (a)). Submissions from Parties on options to accelerate and sustain the development and transfer of coastal adaptation technologies are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.11.

67. Action: The SBSTA may wish to consider the submissions by Parties, determine what additional activities are warranted and provide any necessary guidance to the secretariat.

(d) Other matters

68. The secretariat will also provide a report on the status of activities undertaken in cooperation with the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

(a) Scientific organizations

69. The Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will present an overview of the work of that body in an oral report. It is expected that his report will include information on: the IPCC third assessment report, technology transfer, land-use, land-use change and forestry and other topics.

(b) United Nations bodies

70. Background: The secretariat is engaged in consultations with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in an effort to enhance cooperation with these bodies and to ensure that their climate change related activities, in particular their inputs to the UNFCCC process, are responsive to the needs of the process and reflect the comparative advantage of the agency concerned.

71. The SBSTA, at its tenth session, noted that many relevant activities were under way in other United Nations bodies and that there was a need to bring these within the context of the UNFCCC process and for them to be consistent with decisions of the COP, in particular with decision 7/CP.4. The SBSTA welcomed the initiative of the secretariat to bring together the four above-mentioned United Nations bodies and encouraged it to continue drawing upon their contributions for the development of a joint project on capacity-building for developing countries for the clean development mechanism, taking careful account of relevant decisions and conclusions of the COP and its subsidiary bodies. The SBSTA requested the secretariat to make further information available on this project, and to continue to explore with current and other future partners other possible areas of activity (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, para. 18).

72. Action: The secretariat will present an oral report on its efforts to promote cooperation with relevant United Nations bodies. Parties may wish to consider the project proposal contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.8, which was developed in cooperation with the

United Nations agencies mentioned above, as a contribution to the totality of the capacity-building needs discussed under item 7.

(c) Other conventions

73. Background: The SBSTA, at its tenth session, noted with appreciation the reports provided by representatives of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on the substantive linkages between climate change and those conventions. The SBSTA welcomed the efforts of the secretariat to explore possible ways of cooperating with other convention secretariats in order to strengthen cooperation on issues of common interest. It encouraged the secretariat to continue consultations with the relevant secretariats and to inform it on the outcome of these consultations (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, para. 22).

74. Action: The secretariat will present an oral report on the activities it has undertaken to promote cooperation with relevant conventions in the area of climate change.

75. Background: The COP, at its fourth session, adopted a decision aimed at strengthening the global observing systems for climate, including an invitation to the agencies participating in the Climate Agenda, through the Global Climate Observing System secretariat, to undertake various activities to this end (decision 14/CP.4).

76. The SBSTA, at its tenth session, invited the agencies participating in the Climate Agenda, through the GCOS secretariat, to report to the SBSTA at its eleventh session, on their actions and plans, in accordance with decision 14/CP.4. The SBSTA also recalled paragraphs 1 (c) and 5 of decision 2/CP.4, requesting the GEF to report to the COP on its activities with regard to providing funding to developing countries to build capacity for participation in systematic observational networks (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6, paragraph 75 (c) and (e)).

77. The SBSTA will have before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/10 containing information relevant to decision 14/CP.4. A representative of the GCOS secretariat is also expected to present an oral report on the activities of that body, pursuant to decision 14/CP.4.

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/10 and come prepared with suggestions for future activities, particularly in relation to a process to identify the specific needs and priorities of developing countries.

79. Background: At its seventh session, the SBSTA concluded that, to date, there had not been sufficient experience to fully evaluate the utility of the roster of experts or its use by the secretariat. It 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 (FCCC/SBSTA/1997/14, paragraph 31 (g)). This further evaluation is contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/9.

80. Action: Parties may wish to consider this evaluation and provide guidance to the secretariat on the future evolution of the rosters of experts, particularly on matters related to integration of the rosters, improving completeness of the information and confidentiality, the use of the methodology roster for technical reviews of greenhouse gas inventories from Annex I Parties and a process for increasing the number of fields of expertise for possible future activities.

81. Because of the time that is likely to be needed for considering all items on the agenda, a complete draft text of the report may not be available at the end of the session. The SBSTA may wish to adopt draft decisions or substantive conclusions, and authorize the Rapporteur to complete the report after the session with the guidance of the Chairman and the assistance of the secretariat. Subject to the availability of sufficient time for their translation, conclusions will be made available in all languages.

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its tenth session, Bonn, 31 May-11 June 1999

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6/Add.1 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its tenth session, Bonn, 31 May-11 June 1999. Addendum. Draft decision on guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Part I: UNFCCC reporting guidelines on annual inventories

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/7 Provisional agenda and annotations. Note by the Executive Secretary

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/8 National communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. "Best practices" in policies and measures. Report by the secretariat

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/9 Roster of experts nominated by Parties. Evaluation of the roster of experts

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/10 Research and systematic observation. Issues related to the Global Climate Observing System

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/11 Development and transfer of technologies. Progress report, including a report of the African workshop

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/12 Methods used to collect data, estimate and report emissions from international bunker fuels

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13 National communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Guidelines for the preparation of national communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Part II: Projections, policies, measures, financial resources and technology transfer and other matters

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13/Add.1 National communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Guidelines for the preparation of national communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Part II: Projections, policies, measures, financial resources and technology transfer and other matters. Addendum. Status of the draft Chairman's text of part II of the guidelines at the close of the tenth sessions

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13/Add.2 National communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Guidelines for the preparation of national communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Part II: Projections, policies, measures, financial resources and technology transfer and other matters. Addendum. Draft guidance for reporting on global climate observation systems

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.7 Development and transfer of technologies. Ways and means of limiting emissions of hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.8 Capacity-building. Plan for facilitating capacity-building under decision 7/CP.4

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.6 Development and transfer of technologies. Ways and means of limiting emissions of hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons. Submissions from Parties and intergovernmental organizations.

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.7 Methodological issues. Land-use, land-use change and forestry. Review and response to the questions posed in tables 1 and 2 of document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/5. Comments related to the need for country-specific data and information and its relationship to a decision-making framework in the context of the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. Submissions by Parties

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.8 Methodological issues. Emissions resulting from fuel used for international transportation. Submissions from Parties

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.9 and Add. Methodological issues. National systems, adjustments and 1 guidelines under Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol. Characteristics of national systems and issues relating to adjustments referred to in Article 5 of the Kyoto Protocol. Submissions from Parties

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.10 National communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. Views of Parties on "best practices" in policies and measures. Submissions by Parties

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.11 Development and transfer of technologies. Coastal adaptation technologies. Options to accelerate and sustain the development and transfer of coastal adaptation technologies. Submissions from Parties

FCCC/SB/1999/5 and Add.1 Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase. Issues to be addressed in the review of the pilot phase, including the third synthesis report. Note by the secretariat

FCCC/SB/1999/6 Mechanisms pursuant to Articles 6, 12 and 17 of the Kyoto Protocol. Plan for facilitating capacity-building. Note by the Chairmen.

FCCC/SB/1999/7 and Add.1 Procedures and mechanisms relating to compliance under the Kyoto Protocol. Co-Chairs' synthesis of submissions on procedures and mechanisms relating to compliance, including elements of a compliance system

FCCC/SB/1999/8 Mechanisms pursuant to Articles 6, 12 and 17 of the Kyoto Protocol. Synthesis of proposals by Parties on principles, modalities, rules and guidelines. Note by the Chairmen

FCCC/SB/1999/9 Implementation of Article 4, paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Convention. Report of the workshop on implementation of Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention (decision 3/CP.3 and Articles 2.3 and 3.14 of the Kyoto Protocol)

FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.9 Capacity-building. Submission from a Party

FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.10 and Add.1 Mechanisms pursuant to Articles 6, 2 and 17 of the Kyoto Protocol. Further submissions from Parties on issues raised in decision 7/CP.4, paragraph 1 (a), (b) and (c)

FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.11 Mechanisms pursuant to Articles 6, 12 and 17 of the Kyoto Protocol. Elements to be included in a plan for facilitating capacity-building related to the mechanisms. Submissions from Parties

FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.12 Procedures and mechanisms relating to compliance under the Kyoto Protocol. Views from Parties on procedures and mechanisms relating to compliance. Compilation of submissions from Parties

FCCC/CP/1998/16 Report of the Conference of the Parties on its fourth session, held at Buenos Aires from 2 to 14 November 1998. Part One: Proceedings

FCCC/CP/1998/16/Add.1 Report of the Conference of the Parties on its fourth session, held at Buenos Aires from 2 to 14 November 1998. Addendum. Part Two: Action taken by the Conference of the Parties at its fourth session

FCCC/SBSTA/1998/9 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its ninth session, Buenos Aires, 3-10 November 1998

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.3 Methodological issues. Other matters. Analyses of the information provided by the delegation of Iceland. Submissions by Parties. Note by the secretariat

FCCC/SB/1999/2 Methodological issues. Methodological issues related to Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol. Note by the secretariat

FCCC/AGBM/1997/MISC.1/Add.3 Implementation of the Berlin mandate. Additional proposals from Parties. Addendum. Note by the secretariat

FCCC/TP/1999/1 Technical paper: Coastal adaptation technologies

FCCC/SBSTA/1997/6 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its sixth session, Bonn, 28 July - 5 August 1997

FCCC/SBSTA/1998/6 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its eighth session, Bonn, 2-12 June 1998

FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1 Report of the Conference of the Parties on its third session, held at Kyoto from 1 to 11 December 1997. Part Two: Action taken by the Conference of the Parties at its third session

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: Action taken by the Conference of the Parties at its second 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: Action taken by the Conference of the Parties at its first session

1. FCCC/CP/1996/2.

2. For the full texts of decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its third session, see document FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1.

3. For the full texts of decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its fourth session, see

document FCCC/CP/1998/16/Add.1.

4. For the full texts of decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its first session, see document FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1

5. Decisions by the Conference of the Parties containing elements related to the issue of capacity-building include: 2/CP.4, Additional guidance to the operating entity of the financial mechanism; 4/CP.4, Development and transfer of technologies; 5/CP.4, Implementation of Articles 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention (decision 3/CP.3 and Articles 2.3 and 3.14 of the Kyoto Protocol); 6/CP.4, Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase; 7/CP.4, Work programme on mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol; 12/CP.4, Initial national communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention; and 14/CP.4, Research and systematic observation.

6. A draft decision on guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Parties included in Annex I to the Convention, part I: UNFCCC reporting guidelines on annual inventories, was recommended by the subsidiary bodies at their tenth sessions for adoption by the COP at its fifth session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/6/Add.1).

7. The meeting report is available on the web at http://www.iea.org/ipcc. It may also be ordered from: IPCC-OECD-IEA Programme on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, 2 rue Andre-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France.

8. For the full texts of decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its second session, see document FCCC/CP/1996/15/Add.1