Virtual event: Yes, for Parties, Observers and other non-Party stakeholders

Background

The original mandate to discuss common time frames comes from Article 4.10 of the Paris Agreement: “The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Agreement shall consider common time frames for nationally determined contributions at its first session.”

Since then, the agenda item has been taken up under the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI).  Progress toward reaching an agreement on this item was slow at SBI 51 (Madrid 2019) and Parties were not able to agree on conclusions.  Parties will resume consideration of this item at SBI 52.  

To facilitate understanding the technical aspects and implications of this item, a technical dialogue will be conducted during the Climate Dialogues.  The technical dialogue will then be followed by informal consultations with Parties by the SBI Chair.

Objective and description

The purpose of this technical dialogue is to explore the linkages between common time frames and other elements of the Paris Agreement, such as NDC communication cycle, NDC synthesis, Article 6 of the PA, the global stock-take and reporting under the Enhanced Transparency Framework.  Discussions will also focus on the implications of not concluding this item on these processes. Participants will be encouraged to focus on technical considerations, as opposed to focusing only on negotiating options for common time frames.

The intended outcomes of this technical dialogue include:  an improved awareness of the linkages between common time frames and other elements of the Paris Agreement; greater understanding of the implications of not resolving this item on broader processes under the Paris Agreement; and, the identification of what needs to be done next with a view to concluding this item at COP26.

Proposed programme