Background

In July 2020, the SBSTA Chair conducted bilateral consultations with negotiating groups. The Parties that participated in these consultations reiterated the importance of completing the negotiations on issues relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (Article 6) at CMA 3 in Glasgow and there was broad support to the idea of organizing, under the authority of the SBSTA Chair, informal meetings on Article 6 issues in a virtual format later in 2020. At the same time, there were many ideas suggested regarding the issues that should be taken up in such format and many Parties emphasized that:

• Such meetings do not become negotiation in a virtual format, such as textual related negotiation or consensus building;
• Transparency, inclusivity and balance, including in the selection of any presenters from Parties or groups, are ensured;
• No outcome documents will be prepared and circulated after these virtual meetings.

Having considered the views expressed by Parties during those informal consultations, the SBSTA Chair will convene two informal meetings on Article 6, as a platform for Parties to continue their conversations or dialogues focusing on unresolved issues:

• The first informal virtual meeting will be at the level of Heads of Delegation (HoDs) and Coordinators of regional negotiating groups who can be accompanied by one supporting expert. The meeting will be structured in a manner that would enable a broad exchange of views among Parties on Article 6 issues, in both organizational and substantive terms;
• The second informal virtual meeting will be at a technical level, to be attended by Article 6 experts. The meeting will be structured in a manner to enable an exchange of views on baselines and additionality in the mechanism under Article 6.4. 

Objective and format of event

The objective of this event is to provide a platform for discussion of how to make progress in the resolution of issues relating to baselines and additionality in the framework of the mechanism under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.

The event is an informal meeting under the responsibility of the SBSTA Chair and will be chaired by the SBSTA Chair, Mr. Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu.

The secretariat has prepared a presentation to facilitate Parties’ preparation for the meeting (see below) which is for information only, and will not be presented during the meeting. Link to presentation more>>

No written report or other outcome is to be prepared after the event.

Participation

Parties’ experts on Article 6 issues are invited to attend the event. Representatives of the current (Chile) and incoming (the United Kingdom) COP/CMP/CMA Presidencies will also be present. There will be an opportunity for observers to follow the event.

Agenda

The discussion will be structured through the following guiding questions proposed by the SBSTA Chair:

1. What are the core principles that should guide baseline and additionality approaches under the 6.4 mechanism? How is the NDC to be considered when determining the baseline?
2. A hierarchical approach to baselines, encompassing the different Party positions, was proposed in Madrid. Can this be the basis of a compromise solution? If not, what further work is required?
3. What else has to be resolved for baselines and additionality rules to be decided? What are the interlinkages?
4. What process can take Parties towards agreement on baselines and additionality given that facilitated informals and self-organized discussions did not resolve this issue in Madrid?

Contact: Paris-Agreement-Article-6@unfccc.int