Distr.

LIMITED

FCCC/CP/1998/L.9

10 November 1998

Original: ENGLISH

CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES

Fourth session

Buenos Aires, 2-13 November 1998

Agenda item 4 (e)

The Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), at its ninth session, decided to forward to the COP Plenary for further consideration the following draft decision prepared by the Chairman of the SBI:

[The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling its decision 3/CP.3 on Article 4, paragraphs 8 and 9, of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

Recalling also the provisions of Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention,

Noting the provisions of Article 2.3, and Article 3.14, of the Kyoto Protocol to the Convention,

[Recognizing further that Parties have different commitments under the Convention with respect to the adverse effects of climate change and the implementation of response measures,

and that further analysis of these issues will involve different analytical approaches, sources of information and time frames,]

EZE.98-

[Noting the provision under Article 12 of the Protocol by which a share of the proceeds from certified project activities will be used to assist developing country Parties that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change to meet the costs of adaptation, as well as the importance of further work to elaborate modalities for the implementation of this provision,]

Recognizing the concern for sustainable development of the countries referred to in Article 4.8 and 4.9, of the Convention,

Welcoming the relevant work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in particular its First and Second Assessment Reports, its recent Special Report on the Regional Impacts of Climate Change and its forthcoming Third Assessment Report, which will inter alia address issues relevant to Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention,

Noting, however, that considerable uncertainties still persist with regard to the assessment of the adverse effects of climate change, particularly at the regional, sub-regional and national levels, and that in this context also information gaps need to be filled, using in particular information contained in national communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties) and Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (non-Annex I Parties),

Noting also that there is not enough information available on the adverse effects of climate change and the impact of the implementation of response measures, and that in this context also information gaps need to be filled, using in particular information contained in national communications from Annex I and non-Annex I Parties,

1. Decides that the basic elements for further analysis should include the following:

(a) The identification of adverse effects of climate change;

(b) The identification of impacts of the implementation of response measures under the Convention;

(c) The identification of the specific needs and concerns of developing country Parties arising from such adverse effects and impacts defined inter alia through the national communications by non-Annex I Parties;

(d) The identification and consideration of actions necessary, including actions related to funding, insurance and the transfer of technology, to meet the specific needs and concerns mentioned in subparagraph (c) above;

(e) Requests the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to initiate a process of compilation and analysis of available information, which is needed to elaborate any actions necessary to implement Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention;

(f) Further requests the SBSTA to take into account information needs arising from the basic elements mentioned in paragraph 1 above, as well as the programme of work set out in annex to this decision, in revising the guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Annex I Parties and non-Annex I Parties;

(g) Requests the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and SBSTA to continue consideration of 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;

(h) Invites the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to provide a further scientific and technical assessment on matters related to Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention, in its Third Assessment Report;

(i) Decides to adopt and implement the programme of work set out in the annex to this decision.]

ITEM	ACTION	OBJECTIVE	RESPONSIBILITY	DEADLINE
1	Submission of views on the issues to be discussed in expert workshop	Identify factors that will help determine the adverse effects of climate change and/or the impact of implementation of response measures, the information available, existing information gaps and further information needed as well as views on methodologies, taking into account inter alia submissions already made to the COP and the subsidiary bodies on the implementation of Article 4.8 and 4.9	All Parties	End of April 1999
2	Consideration of the secretariat's compilation of national submissions	Define the expert workshop terms of reference	SBI 10, SBSTA 10	June 1999
3	Organization of the experts workshop including budgetary issues	Produce input for SBSTA 11 and SBI 11	Chairman of SBSTA, with the assistance of the secretariat	September 1999
4	Further discussion on the implementation of Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention considering the outcome of the workshop	Prepare report including conclusions and/or draft decision for COP5	SBI 11, SBSTA 11	November 1999
5	Identification of initial actions to address the implementation of Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention, as well as Articles 2.3 and 3.14 of the Kyoto Protocol	Identify initial actions, including initial input for COP/MOP1, in accordance with Articles 2.3 and 3.14 of the Kyoto Protocol	COP 5	October 1999
6	Identification of any additional actions needed to address the implementation of Article 4.8 and 4.9 of the Convention, as well as Articles 2.3 and 3.14 of the Kyoto Protocol	Take a decision on any further actions	COP 6	October 2000