New approaches to complex issues
Land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) was the subject of an innovative side event convened at the behest of the Parties. The SBSTA invited the IPCC to provide an in-depth progress report on its work on LULUCF and its draft special report on the subject. Participants, including NGOs, welcomed the long awaited exchange with IPCC expert authors and an opportunity to begin to map out the complex set of attendant issues.

The Joint Working Group on compliance convened to consider a synthesis compilation of proposed procedures and mechanisms. Emerging issues include: a) the question of including the flexible mechanisms within the coverage of a compliance mechanism; b) the scope of a compliance mechanism to adjudicate binding consequences; c) and the incorporation of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Australia skeptical about OPEC's claim that oil exporters will run up annual losses of $63 billion by 2010
In a re-run of well rehearsed positions on the impacts of the implementation of climate change response measures, Australia countered claims by Saudi Arabia that OPEC countries are expected to run up annual losses of $64 billion as a result of measures taken by industrialized countries to address climate change.

In a discussion on the outcomes from an expert workshop resulting from a decision at COP-4, Nigeria led calls for a consistent approach to all issues before COP-5 including Convention Articles 4.8 and 4.9 and the associated Kyoto Protocol provisions. Saudi Arabia weighed in with a claim that unanimity exists on the likely impact of response measures by industrialized countries, particularly on the economies of fossil fuel exporters. He called on Annex 1 countries to clarify the policies and measures they are likely to undertake, by the year 2000. He said OPEC countries stand to lose $63 billion annually by 2010 as a result of the Kyoto Protocol.

Australia emphasized the potential impacts of climate change on island states. He described evidence regarding the possible economic effects of response measures as "much thinner" and said he was sceptical. The Alliance of Small Island States agreed and pointed out that some of the studies informing Saudi Arabia's claims had been commissioned by organizations with deep interests in oil exporting profits. He said the Parties should not be held hostage by calls for a 'package' approach to progress on all issues. Photos and ReaAudio available below.

Peter Doran's Commentary