Informal Consultations by the SB Chairs

The Bureau at its meeting on 25 February 2021 requested the presiding officers to make available a plan of upcoming activities in preparation for a successful COP 26 in November 2021. Following this guidance, the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation are convening a series of activities, including informal consultations, technical expert meetings and other events, which includes the informal consultations by the SB Chairs on matters relating to the second periodic review of the long-term global goal under the Convention and of overall progress towards achieving it.

June momentum

Within the context of the June Momentum for climate change, the SBSTA and SBI chairs held a complementary virtual event to consult on preparations for the second Periodic review (PR2) on 3 June 2020 to exchange views on how to respond to the impact of changes to the UNFCCC calendar caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the second periodic review (PR2) timeline, especially that of the first structured expert dialogue (SED1). 

Given the global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, following informal consultations with parties and co-facilitators of the SED, the first meeting of the SED was decided to be conducted in two session: SED1.1 was convened virtually during the Climate Change Dialogues 2020 and SED1.2 was planned to be convened at the summer sessions of the subsidiary bodies in 2021. A summary report of SED1 was decided to be produced after SED1.2.

Climate Change Dialogues 2020

Given the global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first session of the first meeting of the SED (SDE 1.1) took place virtually on November 2020, during the UN Climate Change Dialogues 2020. It considered the three special reports of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made available in 2018–2019 and information from Parties. The goal at SED1.1 was to make a contribution to: enhancing Parties’ understanding of the long-term global goal (LTGG) and scenarios towards achieving it, progress made in relation to addressing information and knowledge gaps, and challenges and opportunities; and assessing the overall aggregated effect of the steps taken by Parties in order to achieve the LTGG.

SBSTA and SBI 50

In June 2019, at their fiftieth session, parties resumed the consideration of the scope of the next periodic review and began preparing a recommendation to the COP. They agreed to conclude the work at SB 51 for it to be considered at COP 25. The SBSTA and SBI are taking into account the outcomes of the 2018 work on the global stocktake (Decision 19/CMA.1), the Talanoa dialogue (Decision 1/CP.24, section V) and the ongoing work on the technical examination processes (TEP-A and TEP-M). 

See conclusions FCCC/SBSTA/2019/2, paragraphs 50-53, and FCCC/SBI/2019/9, paragraphs 38-41.

COP 25

Decision 5/CP.25 on the scope of the second periodic review (5/CP.25), paragraph 4, decided that the second periodic review should, in accordance with the relevant principles and provisions of the Convention and on the basis of the best available science:

(a) Enhance 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) Assess 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;

At COP25, Parties agreed to commence the second periodic review in the second half of 2020 and to conclude it at the session of the COP in 2022. Within this timeframe, three Structured Expert Dialogues (SEDs) will be held from SB53 to SB55 and the modalities of the 2013-2015 periodic review contained in paragraphs 80–90 of decision 1/CP.18 will apply mutandis mutatis when conducting the second periodic review.

Parties further agreed that the second periodic review will not result in a reinterpretation or redefinition of the long-term global goal.

Talanoa Dialogue

The COP by its decision 1/CP.21, paragraph 20, decided to “convene a facilitative dialogue among Parties in 2018 to take stock of the collective efforts of Parties in relation to progress towards the long-term goal referred to in Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Agreement and to inform the preparation of nationally determined contributions pursuant to Article 4, paragraph 8, of the Agreement”.

SBSTA and SBI 46

An informal background note was produced prior to SB 46 by the Chairs of the SBSTA and the SBI on this matter .

At  SBSTA 46 and SBI 46 (see document FCCC/SBSTA/2017/4 page 12-13 and document FCCC/SBI/2017/7 page 19-20) Parties recalled, inter alia, that relevant work is being undertaken on the global stocktake under the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA), the 2018 facilitative dialogue,  and  the  technical  examination  processes. There was also reference to the work programme in decision  1/CMA.1, paragraphs  5–7, the outcomes of which will be forwarded to COP 24 (December 2018); and the upcoming IPCC Special Report "Global Warming of 1.5 ºC" (due September 2018). They also noted that  the  2013–2015  review,  including  its  successes and shortcomings, can provide lessons for the next periodic review.

In order to ensure  that  the  next  periodic  review  is non-duplicative and efficient, the SBs agreed to recommend a draft decision to the COP, contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2017/4/Add.1 (page 2) and FCCC/SBI/2017/7/Add.1 (page 2).

COP 23

COP 23 requested the SBs to resume their consideration of this matter at SB 50 in June 2019, with a view to forwarding a recommendation to COP 25 (November 2019) (see decision 18/CP.23 in addendum 2 of the COP 23 report, FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.2). This was to allow for the consideration of this agenda item to take into account the relevant work on the global stocktake under the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement, and the Talanoa Dialogue, which will take place in 2018, as well as the technical examination processes.

SBSTA and SBI 44

In May 2016, at their forty-fourth sessions, the SBSTA and the SBI considered the scope of the next periodic review, as mandated at COP 21. They noted  the  relevant  work  on  the  global  stocktake  under  the  APA,  the  facilitative  dialogue, which will take place in 2018, and the technical examination processes. They agreed to further consider the scope of the next periodic review at their forty-sixth sessions (May 2017) and to refine it, taking into account relevant experiences with the 2013-2015 review. The SBSTA and the SBI noted that an in-session workshop on the scope of the next periodic review could be useful and that they may consider the matter further at their forty-sixth sessions. The conclusions can be found in the respective reports: SBSTA (page 14) and SBI (page 26).      

COP 21

Decision 10/CP.21 on the 2013-2015 review (10/CP.21), paragraph 4, decided in relation to the long-term global goal, and in the light of the ultimate objective of the Convention that the long term global is to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.

This is reflected in the Paris Agreement (Decision 1/CP.21).

COP 21 requested the SBSTA and the SBI to consider the scope of the next periodic review with a view to forwarding a recommendation for consideration by the COP by no later than 2018, as appropriate. It agreed  that  the  next periodic review should be conducted in an effective and efficient manner, avoid duplication of work and take into account the results of relevant work conducted under the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol and the subsidiary bodies.

SED in 2015

The Structured Expert Dialogue (SED) held its last meeting in Geneva in February 2015. As mandated by the Subsidiary Bodies at their 41st session, the report of SED 4 is available here, and the final factual report of the SED is contained in FCCC/SB/2015/INF.1.

The SBSTA and the SBI had, at their forty-first session, invited Parties to submit their views on any other information or gaps in information relevant to the 2013-2015 review, as well as their views on the adequacy of the long-term global goal in the light of the ultimate objective of the Convention and of the overall progress made towards achieving the long term global goal, including consideration of the implementation of the commitments under the Convention. These submissions were considered at the forty-second session and are available here.

At SBSTA 42 and SBI 42, the Joint Contact Group on the 2013-2015 review was invited to consider the above-mentioned submissions by Parties and the report of the SED in its deliberation on further steps on the 2013-2015 review, including in preparing a draft decision for consideration and adoption at the twenty-first session of the COP.  The SBSTA and the SBI agreed to continue their consideration of this matter at SBSTA 43 and SBI 43. The relevant conclusions can be found here.

A special event of the SBSTA and SBI was held on 2 June on the margins of the climate change conference in Bonn to launch the final report on the SED. At this event, the co-facilitators presented the SED report, followed by a panel discussion and a Q&A session. (see here for more information).

As requested by the SBSTA and SBI at their 39th sessions, the third meeting of the SED (SED 3) took place in conjunction with SB 40, in Bonn, Germany. SED 3 advanced the work of the SED by considering the two themes of the review in a balanced manner, with a special focus on the contribution of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to its Fifth Assessment Report (AR5 WGII) and the contribution of Working Group III to the AR5 (AR5 WGIII). The consideration of both themes involved outreach presentations made by experts and a discussion between Parties and experts. On the AR5 WGII, topics addressed included: observed impacts and projected risks associated with various levels of warming, including warming to 2 °C/1.5 °C; human interference with the climate system; the link between socioeconomic pathways and climate change risks; adaptation options, needs, opportunities and associated costs; and climate-resilient pathways, and the link between adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development.

On the AR5 WGIII, topics addressed included: transformation pathways and limiting warming to 2 °C/1.5 °C; sectoral and cross-sectoral mitigation pathways; trends in the stocks and flows of greenhouse gas emissions and their drivers; international cooperation on mitigation; policy, socioeconomic, equity and ethical aspects of climate change; and cross-cutting mitigation investment and finance issues. Relevant materials for SED 3 are available here.

See conclusions FCCC/SBSTA/2014/2, paragraphs 69-80, and FCCC/SBI/2014/8, paragraphs 187-199.

Also pursuant to the mandate from SB 39, the fourth meeting of the SED (SED 4) will take place on 2-3 December 2014, in Lima, Peru, in conjunction with SB 41. More information will be available in due course.


At SB 40, Parties agreed the following issues:

• The SBs requested the SED co-facilitators to convene an additional SED meeting  after SB 41, in conjunction with a ADP meeting and prior to SB 42;
   
• They requested the secretariat to prepare a note containing an indicative, descriptive identification of what information will be available and by when regarding information from Parties for consideration by the SED;
   
• They also requested the SED co-facilitators to identify potential additional inputs, taking into account information from UN, international and regional agencies and information gap;
   
• They invited Parties to submit their views on additional inputs to the SED, on how to conclude the review and on the final reporting of the SBs to COP 21;
   
• Parties are encouraged to continue to take note of the information from the review as they engage in the ADP process.

The third SED meeting was held on 6-8 June 2014 in Bonn, Germany. The goal of SED 3 was to make a contribution to the assessment of the adequacy of the long-term global goal and the overall progress made towards achieving it, to the extent possible, on the basis of the AR5 WGII and the AR5 WGIII.

Parties had constructive discussions with IPCC experts, including: the relationship between adaptation and mitigation; the assessment of risks and costs for 1.5 °C temperature rise; definition of adaptation cost and mitigation cost; associated risks for low-stabilization pathways; the feasibility of the radical transformation referred in the WGIII report. Relevant materials for the third meeting are available here.

At SB 40, Parties agreed the following issues:

• The SBs requested the SED co-facilitators to convene an additional SED meeting  after SB 41, in conjunction with a ADP meeting and prior to SB 42;
• 
  They requested the secretariat to prepare a note containing an indicative, descriptive identification of what information will be available and by when regarding information from Parties for consideration by the SED;
• 
  They also requested the SED co-facilitators to identify potential additional inputs, taking into account information from UN, international and regional agencies and information gap;
• 
  They invited Parties to submit their views on additional inputs to the SED, on how to conclude the review and on the final reporting of the SBs to COP 21;
• Parties are encouraged to continue to take note of the information from the review as they engage in the ADP process.

The first SED meeting on the 2013-2015 review was held on 5 June 2013 in Bonn, Germany. The summary report and relevant documents, including agenda and presentations, can be found here.

The second SED meeting was held on 12 and 13 November 2013 in Warsaw, Poland. During the meeting, experts from IPCC, TEC, CTCN, SCF and GEF made presentations. The issues addressed included: relationships between emissions and changes in the climate system; implications of multiple targets; insights on the long-term aspects of climate change; irreversible changes; uncertainties; and progress in the area of finance and technology transfer. Relevant materials for the second meeting are available here.

SBSTA39 and SBI39 requested the SED co-facilitators to organize SED meetings in 2014 in conjunction with SB40 and SB41, and also requested the co-facilitators to assess the need for additional meetings. They also invited Parties to submit their views on (i) the future work of the SED, including the further use of different sources of information and (ii) how the outcomes of the review will inform the work of the ADP. Those submissions are due by 26 March 2014 and will be compiled into miscellaneous documents( FCCC/SB/2014/MISC.1 and FCCC/SB/2014/MISC.2).

The SED facilitators also submitted the report of the SED to the COP (FCCC/SB/2013/INF.12: \'Report of the structured expert dialogue of the 2013-2015 review for 2013 Note by the co-facilitators of the structured expert dialogue).

See conclusions FCCC/SBSTA/2013/5 (paragraphs 127-138) and FCCC/SBI/2013/20 (paragraphs 161-172).

Parties also agreed on a prompt start of the review and requested the SB to take the steps necessary in 2013 to start the consideration of inputs without delay at SB38.  They also invited SB to gather and compile information relevant for conducting the review.

In addition, regarding the expert consideration of the inputs, the COP decided to establish a structured expert dialogue to ensure the scientific integrity of the review. Under the guidance of the subsidiary bodies, the structured expert dialogue will consider available material through regular scientific workshops and expert meetings. The dialogue will be facilitated by two co-facilitators, one from Annex I and one from non-Annex I, and they will report on work done by the structured expert dialogue to the COP.

The COP agreed that the 2013-2015 review will periodically assess (a) The adequacy of the long-term global goal in the light of the ultimate objective of the Convention; and (b) Overall progress made towards achieving the long-term global goal, including a consideration of the implementation of the commitments under the Convention.

See decision 1/CP.18 (pages 15-16, para 79-91)

Parties continued to discuss the scope of the 2013-2015 review under the AWG-LCA.  In Durban, the COP decided to consider its further definition of the scope with a view to taking a decision at COP18.

The COP agreed that it will conduct the review with the assistance of the SBSTA and the SBI, and the work will be supported by expert consideration of the inputs. The COP further agreed that it will define the expert consideration of the inputs to provide technical support to the review.

In addition, it agreed that the review will be conducted based on various information, including; IPCC reports, national information, reports from UN agencies and observed impacts from regional agencies.

See decision 2/CP.17 (pages 28-29, para 157-167).

The issue of the 2013-2015 review has been negotiated under the agenda of a shared vision for a long-term cooperative action of the AWG-LCA. In Cancun, the COP agreed to reduce global GHG emissions to hold the increase in the global average temperature below 2°C above preindustrial levels (so-called, the 2°C goal), and recognized the need to consider strengthening the long-term global goal on the basis of the best available scientific knowledge, including in relation to a global average temperature rise of 1.5°C, in the first review.

See decision 1/CP.16 (page 3, para 4)

A stand-alone chapter for the review was included in the same decision. In this chapter, the COP decided to periodically review the adequacy of the long-term global goal and overall progress towards achieving it, starting in 2013 and concluding by 2015. It also decided to consider strengthening the goal i.e., 1.5 degree temperature rise.

The COP will take appropriate action based on the outcome of the review in 2015.

See decision 1/CP.16 (pages 23-24, para 138-140)