Background

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change notes theimportance of methodological work in several specific articles, forexample Articles 4.1 (a), 4.1 (f), 4.2 (c), 7.2 (d), 9.2 (e) and 12.1(a). More generally, the Convention contains broad requirements forParties to exchange information; these implicitly require developmentof guidelines, modalities and rules. Numerous decisions have beenadopted to implement these articles, beginning with decisions 4/CP.1and 6/CP.1. Article 8.1 of the Convention also requires the secretariatto prepare reports on its activities and present them to the COP.

TheKyoto Protocol makes references to the need for methodologies(guidelines, modalities and rules) in Articles 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12and 17.

In 1996 the UNFCCC secretariat prepared a note on methodological issues: longer-term programme of work (CCC/SBSTA/1996/16).SBSTA 4 considered the note that proposed areas of work and the SBSTAconcluded that in addition to improving methods for GHG inventories,methods for various topics identified should be given a priority in thecontext of the Convention.

In responding to above mandates, theSBSTA and the SBI have done two things: collect and encourage thesharing of the information, and recommend guidelines on reporting ofinformation for adoption by the COP. The collection of information hasbeen done via submissions from Parties and international organisations,workshops and web site of the secretariat. In a few instances, theSBSTA invited other international bodies and UN organisations todevelop and compile information on methods. For example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation(UNIDO) have responded to the requests and have prepared guidelines forreporting GHG inventories, good practice guidance on GHG inventories,methods for climate change impact assessment and adaptation strategies,methods for assessing mitigation policies and measures, and methods forassessing industrial technologies.