IISD Reporting Services at UNFCCC COP-8, 23 October - 1 November 2002, New Dehli, India

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IISD Reporting Services
at the UNFCCC COP-8

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SUMMARY
1 November
31 October
30 October
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26 October
25 October
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23 October

	Eighth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 23 October - 1 November 2002 New Delhi, India


	Highlights from Wednesday 23 October 2002 The Eighth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP-8) and the Seventeenth Sessions of the COP's Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) opened on Wednesday, 23 October, in New Delhi, India. The COP Plenary opened with a traditional Indian "Lighting of the Lamp" ceremony for inaugurating auspicious events. Parties heard opening statements, and addressed organizational matters. Above photo R-L: T.R. Baalu, Indian Minister of Environment receiving flowers from Mohamed Elyazghi, Minister of Environment of Morocco.

Opening Plenary:
	Left photo L-R: Mohamed Elyazghi, Minister of Environment (Morocco) and Joke Waller-Hunter, UNFCCC Executive Secretary

Right photo L-R: Mohamed Elyazghi, Morocco's Minister of Environment lighting the lamp.

COP-7 President Mohamed Elyazghi (Morocco) declared COP-8 open, and thanked India for hosting the conference. Noting that COP-7 took place following the events of 11 September, 2001, he stressed the importance of multilateralism. He drew attention to the Marrakesh Accords, and to the many ratifications of the Kyoto Protocol, stressing that the process now will move from drafting to implementation.

COP-8 President Baalu welcomed participants, and said lighting the lamp signifies the advancement of understanding and removal of ignorance. Noting that impacts of climate change already are being felt, he stressed impacts on the most vulnerable groups.

Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Joke Waller-Hunter (center) stressed the linkage between poverty and environment made at the WSSD, and explained that the Secretariat would facilitate information exchange between Parties implementing the UNFCCC and Protocol by hosting authoritative databases of emissions, and of policies and measures (P&Ms).

Organizational Matter:

The Secretariat noted that 185 states and 1 regional organization have ratified the UNFCCC. He said Afghanistan had deposited its instrument of ratification on 19 September. The Secretariat further noted that 96 states have ratified the Protocol, amounting to 37.4% of Annex I emissions, and that on 31 May, the EU notified the Secretariat of its intent to implement the Protocol jointly under Protocol Article 4 (joint fulfilment of commitments).

CANADA emphasized the cleaner energy proposal as a priority for the future success of the Protocol.

The G-77/CHINA, expressed disappointment in the financial resources that have been provided by Annex I Parties, stressing that any action taken so far has only been symbolic.

CHINA stressed eradication of poverty, and said the climate regime should take into account that improved quality of life in developing countries means energy demands will increase, stressing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

ZIMBABWE, for the African Group, called for increased action to support adaptation projects, capacity building, and urged the fulfillment of contributions to the climate change and LDC funds.

TONGA stressed the need to address the impacts of sea level rise and the destruction of coral reefs.


SBSTA:

SBSTA Chair Halldor Thorgeirsson (Iceland) (center) opened the session. Noting that SBSTA vice-chair Philip Weech (Bahamas) had resigned, he said a replacement nomination was expected from GRULAC. Tatyana Osokova (Uzbekistan) will serve as rapporteur. The SBSTA addressed organizational matters and methodological issues, including: review of methodological work under the UNFCCC and Protocol; guidelines under Protocol Articles 5 (methodological issues), 7 (communication of information) and 8 (review of information); guidelines on reporting and review of greenhouse gas inventories from Annex I Parties; and special circumstances of Croatia under Article 4.6 (flexibility for countries with economies in transition).

SBI:

The SBI considered four issues under national communications of non-Annex I Parties, including: improvement of guidelines; work of the CGE; consideration of the fourth compilation and synthesis of initial national communications; and provision of financial and technical support. A contact group was convened to consider Articles 5, 7 and 8.

ENB Snapshots:






A Magical Reception hosted by the Government of India: