 |
|
 Highlights
from Wednesday, 6 September
Delegates to
the informal meetings preceding SB-13 met to consider: land use,
land-use change and forestry (LULUCF); FCCC Article 4.8 and 4.9
and Protocol Article 3.14 (adverse effects); compliance; capacity
building; the mechanisms; technology transfer; and guidelines under
Protocol Articles 5 (methodological issues), 7 (communication of
information) and 8 (review of information).
Right:
The view from outside the Palais des Congres
|
|
 Capacity
Building
Delegates heard a presentation on the results
of the Climate Change Needs Assessment undertaken as part of the
Capacity Development Initiative. The presentation addressed the
socioeconomic context, vulnerability to climate change, key issues
and main constraints for non-Annex 1 countries; key issues and main
constraints for Annex countries; common capacity needs; and key
areas for capacity. The presentation then went on to address each
specific needs and emphasis in each region (Africa, Asia Pacific,
Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
and Small Island Developing States). In the ensuing discussion,
the G-77/China questioned the value of the CDI as a separate initiative,
noting that much of what had been raised through this process had
been previously elaborated in COP decisions, and requested the GEF
to present at COP-6, a full report on the CDI and inquired if the
resources were drawn from the budget allocated for climate change
activities.
|
 |
UNDP
and GEF representatives during the CDI presentation
|
|
G-77/China
representatives with donor country representatives and Avani Vaish,
Capacity Building Manager, GEF (center, with brown shoulder bag).
|
|
|
 Compliance
In an afternoon session, delegates
discussed the mandate of the facilitation and enforcement branches
in the compliance body. Right: Co-chair Harold Dovland (center)
|
|
 Mechanisms
The
Secretariat gave an overview of liability options for emissions
trading (FCCC/SB/2000/4) including methodological issues/questions;
linkages with other Kyoto Protocol areas (Articles 5, 7, 8 and compliance);
time considerations; and conclusions. The following are the eight
options that were presented: originating Party liability; shared
liability; acquiring Party liability; trigger; compliance reserve;
commitment period reserve; units in surplus to plan; and surplus
units. Left:
Chair Kok Kee Chow on the big screen of Salle Lumiere ("room
of light").
|
|
Climate
Change Kiosk
The Climate Change Kiosk, situated outside the conference rooms
at the Palais Des Congres and run by the UNFCCC Secretariat, offers
literature on the climate change negotiation process. Delegates
can find copies of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol as well
as other background literature on the process. The goal of the kiosk
is to give an overview of the climate change process to new participants.
Delegates can obtain assistance navigating through the UNFCCC website
and finding documents.
For
more extensive information visit the Climate Change Secretariat's
Resource Page at http://www.unfccc.int/resource/
Click
on the images below for larger image of background information available
at the kiosk's exhibit
|
In
the corridors...
Some participants
speculated that the reasons for the criticisms levelled at the GEF's Capacity
Development Initiative during Wednesday's meeting could be sourced to
concern about the financing of the CDI and the implications in terms of
support for other climate-related activities. A number alleged that a
lack of transparency in the selection of regional consultants and in the
manner in which the process was conducted in certain regions detracted
from substantive discussions on the assessment results. On a more optimistic
note, others pointed out that the CDI's reports have at least reaffirmed
the main priority areas previously highlighted for urgent action, and
added that this can contribute to the development of a clear and focused
COP-6 decision.
|
