Distr.

LIMITED

FCCC/SBSTA/1999/L.1

7 June 1999

Original: ENGLISH

SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE

Tenth session

Bonn, 31 May - 11 June 1999

Agenda item 13

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I. OPENING OF THE SESSION (Agenda item 1)

II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS (Agenda item 2)

A. Adoption of the agenda

B. Organization of the work of the session

III. COOPERATION WITH RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (Agenda item 3)

A. Scientific organizations

BNJ.99-90

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B. United Nations bodies

C. Other conventions

IV. NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM PARTIES INCLUDED IN ANNEX I TO THE CONVENTION (Agenda item 4)

A. Guidelines for the preparation of national communications

B. Review process related to greenhouse gas inventories

C. Work programme on methodological issues related to Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol

V. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES (Agenda item 5)

A. Land-use, land-use change and forestry (decision 1/CP.3, paragraph 5(a))

B. Emissions resulting from fuel used for international transportation

C. Other matters

VI. ARTICLE 6 OF THE CONVENTION: EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PUBLIC AWARENESS (Agenda item 6)

VII. DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGIES (Agenda item 7)

VIII. RESEARCH AND SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION (Agenda item 8)

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IX. IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 4, PARAGRAPHS 8 AND 9, OF THE CONVENTION (DECISION 3/CP.3 AND ARTICLES 2.3 AND 3.14 OF THE KYOTO PROTOCOL): PROGRAMME OF WORK (Agenda item 9)

X. PROCEDURES AND MECHANISMS RELATING TO COMPLIANCE UNDER THE KYOTO PROTOCOL: ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS RELATED TO THE JOINT WORKING GROUP (Agenda item 10)

XI. ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTED JOINTLY UNDER THE PILOT PHASE (Agenda item 11)

XII. MECHANISMS PURSUANT TO ARTICLES 6, 12 AND 17 OF THE KYOTO PROTOCOL (Agenda item 12)

XIII. REPORT ON THE SESSION (Agenda item 13)

I. Draft decisions recommended for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its fifth session

II. Implementation of Article 4, paragraphs 8 and 9, of the Convention (decision 3/CP.3 and Articles 2.3 and 3.14 of the Kyoto Protocol)
Terms of reference for the expert workshop envisaged in the annex (programme of work) to decision 5/CP.4

III. List of documents before the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its tenth session

1. The tenth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) was held at the Hotel Maritim, Bonn, from 31 May to 11 June 1999.

2. The Chairman of the SBSTA, Mr. Kok Kee Chow (Malaysia), opened the session on 31 May 1999. He welcomed all delegates and observers to the tenth session of the SBSTA. The Chairman noted that this was the first session of the SBSTA since the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (decision 1/CP.4) had been adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its fourth session (COP 4), sixth months before. He recalled that the Plan of Action had outlined a series of work programmes aimed both at renewing efforts to implement the Convention, and at preparing for the effective future implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. The goals set out in the Plan of Action were ambitious, and Parties would need to work in a determined and focused manner to meet the challenges ahead. The Chairman highlighted the important role which would be played by the SBSTA in this endeavour, by undertaking in-depth technical and methodological work. The Chairman expressed hope that the technical workshops and informal meetings which had taken place in the inter-sessional period would help advance deliberations at the tenth session. He urged all Parties to strive to demonstrate substantial progress on each element of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action in a spirit of constructive cooperation. The Chairman concluded by extending a special welcome to the officers of the SBSTA Bureau: Mr. Lambert Gnapelet (Central African Republic) Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Andrej Kranjc (Slovenia), Rapporteur.

3. Also at the 1^st meeting, on 31 May, a statement was made by the Executive Secretary, addressed to both the SBSTA and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI). He apologized for the late availability in print of many documents prepared by the secretariat for the session, and undertook to ensure more timely document preparation in the future. The delay had been partly due to the increased workload resulting from the organization of inter-sessional technical workshops mandated by COP 4. The Executive Secretary remarked that an opportunity to assess the role of workshops, including their budgetary implications, would arise in the context of discussions on arrangements for intergovernmental meetings in the SBI. Looking ahead, the Executive Secretary highlighted what he saw as potential politically significant outcomes of COP 5 that would build momentum for success at COP 6, namely: mobilizing support for capacity-building; and taking decisions on the consideration of initial national communications from non-Annex I Parties, and on the pilot phase of activities implemented jointly.

4. At the joint meeting of the SBSTA and the SBI, held on 1 June, general statements were made by representatives of five Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the African Group, one speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States and one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

5. At its 1^st meeting, on 31 May, the SBSTA considered the provisional agenda contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/1.

6. The Chairman noted that, following consultations with the Bureau, the provisional agenda did not include items on: the impact of single projects on emissions in the commitment period; and the scientific and methodological aspects of the proposal by Brazil. Consideration of these two items would be deferred until SBSTA 11, and they had also been included on the list of elements for the COP 5 provisional agenda. However, the Chairman drew the attention of Parties to document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.3 and Add.1 and Corr.1., on the impact of single projects on emissions in the commitment period, noting that Parties might wish to use that document to prepare for their discussions at SBSTA 11.

7. Statements were made by representatives of four Parties, after which the SBSTA 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.

3. Cooperation with relevant international organizations:

(a) Scientific organizations;

(b) United Nations bodies;

(c) Other conventions.

4. National communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention:

(a) Guidelines for the preparation of national communications;

(b) Review process related to greenhouse gas inventories;

(c) Work programme on methodological issues related to Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol.

5. Methodological issues:

(a) Land-use, land-use change and forestry (decision 1/CP.3, paragraph 5 (a));

(b) Emissions resulting from fuel used for international transportation;

(c) Other matters.

6. Article 6 of the Convention: Education, training and public awareness.

7. Development and transfer of technologies.

8. Research and systematic observation.

9. Implementation of Article 4, paragraphs 8 and 9, of the Convention (decision 3/CP.3 and Articles 2.3 and 3.14 of the Kyoto Protocol): programme of work.

10. Procedures and mechanisms relating to compliance under the Kyoto Protocol: organizational matters related to the joint working group.

11. Activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase.

12. Mechanisms pursuant to Articles 6, 12 and 17 of the Kyoto Protocol.

13. Report on the session.

8. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1^st meeting, on 31 May. It had before it the tentative schedule of meetings contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/1, annex II. The Chairman noted that the tentative schedule of meetings should be used as a guide to the organization of work of the SBSTA, but that flexibility would be required to respond to the pace of progress.

9. The Chairman underscored that the SBSTA would need to work efficiently to cover the heavy agenda before it and urged Parties to reach a conclusion on as many items as possible by the close of the first week.

10. The Chairman informed the SBSTA that applications for accreditation to the sessions of the subsidiary bodies had recently been received from one intergovernmental and 12 non-governmental organizations. These applications had been screened by the secretariat on the basis of the provisions of Article 7.6 of the Convention and in accordance with the procedures established by the COP for the admission of organizations as observers. The SBSTA agreed to grant these organizations access to the current session of the SBSTA, pending formal action on their accreditation by the COP at its fifth session.

11. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1^st and _ meetings, on 31 May and _ June, respectively.

12. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

13. At the 1^st meeting, on 31 May, a statement was made by the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), who also responded to questions.

14. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1^st and _ meetings, on 31 May and _ June, respectively.

15. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties.

16. At the 1^st meeting, on 31 May, a statement was made by a representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

17. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1^st and _ meetings, on 31 May and _ June, respectively.

18. At the 1^st meeting, on 31 May, statements were made by representatives of the secretariats of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

19. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 3^rd and _ meetings, on 1 and _ June, respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SB/1999/1 and Add.1-2, FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.1 and Add.1, FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.2, FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.3, FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.2 and FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.5 and Add.1. An informal paper prepared by the secretariat, entitled "Methods to estimate emission inventories of hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride", was also made available to Parties.

20. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

21. At the 3^rd meeting, on 1 June, a statement was made by a representative of the IPCC - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - International Energy Agency (IEA) Programme on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The Chairman of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Steering Committee also made a statement.

22. Also as its 3^rd meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item by way of a contact group, co-chaired by Mr. Mark Mwandosya (United Republic of Tanzania) and Mr. Jim Penman (United Kingdom). The Chairman informed the SBSTA that he had liaised with the Chairman of the SBI on this matter and they had concluded that, in light of the division of labour between the SBSTA and the SBI on the issue of national communications, it would be appropriate for this to be a joint contact group of the SBSTA and the SBI.

23. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 3^rd and _ meetings, on 1 and _ June, respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SBSTA/1999/3, FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.4 and FCCC/TP/1999/2.

24. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

25. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 3^rd and _ meetings, on 1 and _ June, respectively. It had before it document FCCC/SB/1999/2 and Corr.1.

26. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

27. At its 3^rd meeting, on 1 June, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item in the joint contact group established under sub-item 4(a).

28. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 3^rd, 5^th and _ meetings, on 1, 2 and _ June, respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SBSTA/1999/5, FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.5 and FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.2 and Add.1.

29. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States and one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China

30. At the 3^rd meeting, on 1 June, Mr. Paul Maclons (South Africa), co-chair of the second SBSTA workshop on land-use, land-use change and forestry (Indianapolis, 26-28 April 1999), provided the SBSTA with an oral report on that workshop.

31. At the same meeting, on 1 June, a statement was made by the Chairman of the IPCC on the status of preparation of the IPCC special report on land-use, land-use change and forestry.

32. Also at the 3^rd meeting, on 1 June, statements were made by representatives of the environmental non-governmental organization (NGO) constituency and the local authority constituency.

33. At its 5^th meeting, on 2 June, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item by way of a contact group, co-chaired by Mr. Paul Maclons (South Africa) and Mr. Maciej Sadowski (Poland).

34. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 5^th and _ meetings, on 2 and _ June, respectively. It had before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/INF.4. The IPCC Special Report on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere and an informal paper prepared by the secretariat, entitled "Methods used to collect data and to estimate and report emissions from international bunker fuels", were also made available to Parties.

35. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

36. Also at the 5^th meeting, on 2 June, a statement was made by a representative of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In addition, the secretariat informed the SBSTA of the contents of a letter received from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on matters relevant to this sub-item.

37. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 5^th and _ meetings, on 2 and _ June, respectively. It had before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/4. An informal paper prepared by the secretariat, entitled "Decision tools to evaluate alternative adaptation strategies", was also made available to Parties.

38. At the 5^th meeting, on 2 June the Chairman noted that the main issue to be discussed under this item concerned information on impacts, adaptation and mitigation assessment methods.

39. At the same meeting, a statement was made by a representative of UNEP introducing the Handbook on Methods for Climate Change Impacts Assessment and Adaptation Strategies prepared by UNEP, in collaboration with the Free University of Amsterdam, and a report entitled Economics of Greenhouse Gas Limitations: Methodological Guidelines, prepared by the UNEP Collaborating Centre on Energy and Environment (Risø, Denmark).

40. Statements on this issue were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

41. Also at the 5^th meeting, on 2 June, the delegation of Brazil raised a further matter for discussion, namely, the scientific and methodological aspects of the proposal by Brazil. That delegation provided a report on activities undertaken in the inter-sessional period on this issue, including the organization of a workshop.

42. Statements on this issue were made by representatives of _ Parties.

43. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1^st meeting, on 31 May. It had before it document FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.1.

44. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

45. The Chairman expressed regret that the small number of submissions received from Parties on possible means of promoting the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention had prevented the secretariat from putting forward proposals on how to integrate Article 6 into the work programme of the SBSTA, as requested by SBSTA at its eighth session.

46. The Chairman invited Parties to submit further proposals to the secretariat by 15 October 1999, to serve as a basis for a more substantive discussion at the twelfth session of the SBSTA.

47. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and _ meetings, on 2, 3, 4 and _ June, respectively. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SBSTA/1999/2, FCCC/SBSTA/1999/MISC.5 and Add.1-3 and FCCC/TP/1999/1.

48. Statements were made by representatives of _ 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.

49. At the 5^th meeting, on 2 June, a statement was made by a representative of the IPCC on the status of preparation of the special report on methodological and technological aspects of technology transfer: opportunities for technology cooperation.

50. Also at the 5^th meeting, on 2 June, the Chairman informed the SBSTA of the steps taken so far to conduct the consultative process requested by decision 4/CP.4, including the establishment of an informal group with members nominated by Parties to exchange views on an approach for advancing the process. He proposed to hold further meetings of the informal group during the session, to continue discussions on the work plan and other aspects of the consultative process.

51. At the 7^th meeting, on 4 June, a statement was made by a representative of the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI).

52. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1^st, 3^rd and _ meetings, on 31 May and 1 and _ June, respectively. It had before it document FCCC/SB/1999/1/Add.2. The GCOS secretariat draft submission on guidance for reporting on systematic observation, which was prepared for the workshop on revised guidelines for Annex I Party national communications (Bonn, 17-19 March 1999), was also available to Parties.

53. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States.

54. At the 1^st meeting, on 31 May, a statement was made by the Chairman of the GCOS Steering Committee, on behalf of the organizations participating in the Climate Agenda, concerning recent activities related to research and systematic observation.

55. At the 3^rd meeting, on 1 June, the Chairman invited Ms. Susan Barrell (Australia) and Mr. Philip Gwage (Uganda) to assist him in conducting informal consultations on this item.

56. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 7^th meeting, on 2 June. It had before it the following documents: FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.6 and FCCC/SBSTA/1999/CRP.1.

57. Statements were made by two Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

58. At the 7^th meeting, on 2 June, the Chairman recalled that the SBI had first taken up this item. He further recalled that the SBI had agreed to convene a group of friends of the Chairmen of the subsidiary bodies to develop terms of reference for the expert workshop envisaged in the annex (programme of work) to decision 5/CP.4. SBI Vice-Chairman Salamat (Iran) had conducted these consultations on behalf of the Chairmen. At the same meeting, Vice-Chairman Salamat provided the SBSTA with a report on his informal consultations.

59. Also at the 7^th meeting, on 2 June, the Chairman circulated a proposal for terms of reference for the above-mentioned expert workshop, contained in FCCC/SBSTA/1999/CRP.1.

60. At its 7^th meeting, on 2 June, having considered a proposal by the Chairman, the SBSTA adopted the terms of reference for the expert workshop envisaged in the annex (programme of work) to decision 5/CP.4, as set out in annex II below.

61. This item was considered by the SBSTA at its 2^nd and _ meetings, which were held jointly with the SBI, on 1 and _ June, respectively. The subsidiary bodies had before them document FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.4 and Add.1-2.

62. At the joint meeting held on 1 June, the Chairman of the SBI reported on the informal consultations on matters related to compliance which had been convened by the subsidiary body Chairmen on 31 May in response to a request contained in decision 8/CP.4. The Chairman noted that agreement had been reached to designate Mr. Harald Dovland (Norway) and Mr. Espen Ronneberg (Marshall Islands) as the Co-Chairs of the Joint Working Group on Compliance established by decision 8/CP.4. Substantive discussion would be referred to the Joint Working Group, which would be convened by the designated Co-Chairs.

63. This item was considered by the SBSTA at its 2^nd and 4^th meetings, which were held jointly with the SBI, on 1 and _ June, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the African Group, one speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States and one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The subsidiary bodies had before them the following documents: FCCC/SB/1999/INF.1 and FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.1 and Add.1.

64. At the 4^th meeting, on 1 June, the Chairmen of the subsidiary bodies invited Mr. Jos Delbeke (European Commission) and Ms. Margaret Mukahanana (Zimbabwe) to assist them in conducting informal consultations on this item.

65. This item was considered by the SBSTA at its 2^nd and 4^th meetings, which were held jointly with the SBI, on 1 and _ June, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of _ Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States and 10 Central and Eastern European States, and one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The subsidiary bodies had before them the following documents: FCCC/SB/1999/4, FCCC/SB/1999/INF.2 and Add.1-3, and FCCC/SB/1999/MISC.3 and Add.1, Add. 2 and Corr.1 and Add.3.

66. At the 4^th meeting, on 1 June, the subsidiary bodies decided to consider this issue by way of a joint contact group, under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the SBSTA.

67. At its _ meeting, on _ June, the SBSTA considered the draft report on the work of its tenth session (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/L.1).

Objective

In accordance with decision 5/CP.4, the objective of the expert workshop is to produce input for the eleventh session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) through:

1. Identification of factors that will help determine:

-The adverse effects of climate change;

-The impacts of implementation of response measures;

2. Identification of information available, existing information gaps, further information needed and views on methodologies, related to:

-The specific needs and concerns of developing country Parties arising from such adverse effects and impacts;

-Actions, including actions related to funding, insurance and the transfer of technology, to meet the above-mentioned specific needs and concerns;

-Minimizing the effects of policies and measures on international trade, and social, environmental and economic impacts;

3. Consideration of the specific needs and special situations of the least developed countries;

4. Consideration of issues raised in national submissions including national communications.

Schedule

The expert workshop will be held from ..., ... September, to ..., ... ... 1999 at .... The above-mentioned items will be covered by presentations and discussions related to the developing country Parties covered in Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention.

Day 1

* General overview.

* Methodologies related to the adverse effects of climate change.

* Consideration of the specific needs and special situations of the least developed countries.

* Countries with arid and semi-arid areas, forested areas, and areas liable to forest decay.

*  Countries with areas liable to drought and desertification.

*  Countries with areas of high urban atmospheric pollution.

* Countries with areas with fragile ecosystems, including mountainous ecosystems.

* Land-locked and transit countries.

Day 2

* Small island countries.

* Countries with low-lying coastal areas.

* Countries with areas prone to natural disasters.

* Methodologies related to impacts of response measures.

Day 3

* Minimizing adverse effects of the implementation of response measures on:

- International trade, and social, environmental and economic impacts on developing country Parties identified in Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention;

- Countries whose economies are highly dependent on income generated from the production, processing and export, and/or on consumption of fossil fuels and associated energy-intensive products.

Day 4

* Conclusions.

Participation

Relevant international and regional organizations and national experts, including from business associations and non-governmental organizations, will be invited to contribute to the workshop, and to present papers on the issues under discussion. The secretariat will explore, in consultation with the invited organizations, what specific contributions they may present at the workshop.

[to be completed]