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)
| Location | Session | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid, Spain |
SBSTA 51 | UN Climate Change Conference - December 2019 |
| Bonn, Germany |
SBSTA 50 | Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2019 |
| Katowice, Poland |
SBSTA 49 | Katowice Climate Change Conference – December 2018 |
| Bangkok, Thailand |
SBSTA 48-2 | Bangkok Climate Change Conference - September 2018 |
| Bonn, Germany |
SBSTA 48 | Bonn Climate Change Conference - April 2018 |
| Bonn, Germany |
SBSTA 47 | UN Climate Change Conference - November 2017 |
| Bonn, Germany |
SBSTA 46 | Bonn Climate Change Conference - May 2017 |
| Marrakech, Morocco |
SBSTA 45 | Marrakech Climate Change Conference - November 2016 |
| Bonn, Germany |
SBSTA 44 | Bonn Climate Change Conference - May 2016 |
| Paris, France |
SBSTA 43 | Paris Climate Change Conference - November 2015 |
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FCCC/SBSTA/2018/L.18Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform. Draft conclusions proposed by the Chair.Draft decisions -
FCCC/SBSTA/2013/L.12Methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. Draft conclusions proposed by the Chair.Draft conclusions
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FCCC/SBSTA/2013/L.12Methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. Draft conclusions proposed by the Chair.Draft conclusions
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FCCC/SBSTA/2011/L.14Methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. Draft conclusions proposed by the Chair.Draft conclusions
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FCCC/SBSTA/2005/4Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its twenty-second session, held at Bonn from 19 to 27 May 2005.Session and meeting reports
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FCCC/SBSTA/2004/L.6Draft conclusions proposed by the co-chairs of the contact group on agenda item 3 (d).Draft conclusions
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FCCC/CP/1998/1Provisional agenda and annotations. Note by the Executive Secretary.Agendas and annotations
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SBSTA/IPCC Special Event.2019.1.InformationNoteInformation on the special event of the SBSTA and the IPCC: Unpacking the new scientific knowledge and key findings in the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and LandReports
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SBSTA/IPCC Special Event.2019.2.InformationNoteInformation on the SBSTA-IPCC special event: Unpacking the new scientific knowledge and key findings in the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing ClimateReports
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SBSTA/IPCC Special Event.2019.1.SummaryReportSummary report on the SBSTA–IPCC special event: Unpacking the new scientific knowledge and key findings in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °CReports
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Submission by UNU-EHSReports
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Submission by FAOReports
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Submission by Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI)Reports
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Submission by Boticario Group FoundationReports
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Submission by International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)Reports
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Submission by Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI)Reports
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Submission by Global Development NetworkReports