Bodies
Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA)

The SBSTA is one of two permanent subsidiary bodies to the Convention established by the COP/CMP. It supports the work of the COP, the CMP and the CMA through the provision of timely information and advice on scientific and technological matters as they relate to the Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Key areas of work for the SBSTA include the impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, promoting the development and transfer of environmentally-sound technologies and conducting technical work to improve the guidelines for preparing and reviewing greenhouse gas emission inventories from Annex I Parties. The SBSTA carries out methodological work under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and promotes collaboration in the field of research and systematic observation of the climate system.

In addition, the SBSTA plays an important role as the link between the scientific information provided by expert sources such as the IPCC on the one hand, and the policy-oriented needs of the COP on the other hand. It works closely with the IPCC, sometimes requesting specific information or reports from it, and also collaborates with other relevant international organizations that share the common objective of sustainable development.

The SBSTA and SBI work together on cross-cutting issues that touch on both their areas of expertise. These include the vulnerability of developing countries to climate change and response measures, discussions under the Technology Mechanism, the Adaptation Committee and the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts.

The SBSTA and the SBI have traditionally met in parallel, twice a year. When they are not meeting in conjunction with the COP, the subsidiary bodies usually convene at the seat of the secretariat in Bonn, Germany.

Secretariat contact for SBSTA coordination:
Ms. Wanna Tanunchaiwatana - SBSTA Coordinator (wtanunchaiwatana@unfccc.int)
Ms. Hanna Hoffmann - SBSTA Focal Point (hhoffmann@unfccc.int)

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  • FCCC/SBSTA/2015/4
    Good practices and lessons learned in adaptation planning processes addressing ecosystems, human settlements, water resources and health, and in processes and structures for linking national and local adaptation planning: a synthesis of case studies. Note by the secretariat
    Pre-session documents
    Full library record
  • FCCC/SBSTA/2014/MISC.8
    Good practices in and lessons learned from national adaptation planning. Submissions from Parties and Nairobi work programme partner organizations.
    Submissions by parties and organizations
    Full library record
  • FCCC/SBSTA/2014/4
    Synthesis report on methods and tools for, and good practices and lessons learned relating to, adaptation planning processes addressing ecosystems, human settlements, water resources and health, and good practices and lessons learned related to processes and structures for linking national and local adaptation planning. Note by the secretariat.
    meeting papers
    Full library record
  • FCCC/TP/2009/2/Rev.1
    Potential costs and benefits of adaptation options: A review of existing literature. Technical paper.
    Technical papers
    Full library record
  • FCCC/SBSTA/2010/5
    Synthesis report on efforts undertaken to monitor and evaluate the implementation of adaptation projects, policies and programmes and the costs and effectiveness of completed projects, policies and programmes, and views on lessons learned, good practices, gaps and needs. Note by the secretariat.
    party submissions
    Full library record
  • FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.10
    Efforts undertaken to monitor and evaluate the implementation of adaptation projects, policies and programmes and the costs and effectiveness of completed projects, policies and programmes, and views on lessons learned, good practices, gaps and needs. Submissions from Parties and relevant organizations.
    party submissions
    Full library record
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  • Submission by region Basque country
    Reports
    Full library record
  • Submission by regional government Azuay (Ecuador)
    Reports
    Full library record

Information on the current SBSTA bureau

Historical list of SBSTA bureaux

Information on the election and membership of the bodies of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol

Submissions to the SBSTA

Submissions from Parties

Submissions from observer organizations