In 2019, at COP 25 in Madrid, Parties agreed to focus the second periodic review on, in accordance with the relevant principles and provisions of the Convention and on the basis of the best available science (Decision 5/CP.25, paragraph 4):
a) Enhancing Parties’ understanding of:
i) The long-term global goal and scenarios towards achieving it in the light of the ultimate objective of the Convention;
ii) Progress made in relation to addressing information and knowledge gaps, including with regard to scenarios to achieve the long-term global goal and the range of associated impacts, since the completion of the 2013–2015 review;
iii) Challenges and opportunities for achieving the long-term global goal with a view to ensuring the effective implementation of the Convention;
b) Assessing the overall aggregated effect of the steps taken by Parties in order to achieve the long-term global goal in the light of the ultimate objective of the Convention;
Parties further agreed that the second periodic review will not result in a reinterpretation or redefinition of the long-term global goal.
COP 25 also decided that the second periodic review shall follow its previously agreed modalities, including a structured expert dialogue and that the second periodic review shall start in the second half of 2020 and conclude in 2022.
Summary reports on the first and second meetings of the second periodic review.
Synthesis report by the cofacilitators of the meetings of the second periodic review.
Parties concluded the second periodic review in 2022 and the outcome is captured in decision 21/CP.27.
Timeline of the second periodic review
Theme 1 – Enhance Parties’ understanding of: the LTGG and scenarios towards achieving it; progress made in relation to addressing information and knowledge gaps, including scenarios to achieve the LTGG and the range of associated impacts; and challenges and opportunities for achieving the LTGG with a view to ensuring the effective implementation of the Convention
Theme 2 – Assess the overall aggregated effect of the steps taken by Parties in order to achieve the LTGG in the light of the ultimate objective of the Convention
Abbreviations: AR6 – sixth assessment report of IPCC; Inf. Cons – informal consultation; JCG – joint contact group of SABTA and SBI; WG – IPCC Working Group; RT – round table; SED – structured expert dialogue; SRs – Special Reports; SYR – Synthesis Report;
(Question mark indicates a tentative plan)