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Twelfth Session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC
 Bonn, Germany; 5 - 16 June 2000

 
 
English
Version française

Thursday 15 June :

The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) met in the afternoon to adopt draft conclusions relating to: guidelines under Protocol Articles 5 (methodological issues), 7 (communication of information) and 8 (review of information); good practice guidance and uncertainty management in national greenhouse gas inventories; development and transfer of technologies; and land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). The Joint Working Group on Compliance (JWG) adopted the report on its work during SB-12. Contact groups met throughout the day to conclude discussions on text relating to: mechanisms; Protocol Articles 5,7 and 8; LULUCF; and adverse effects. Informal consultations were held on capacity building and policies and measures.

Adverse effects (Articles 4.8, 4.9 of the Convention and 3.14 of the Protocol)

Co-Chair Salamat asked delegates to consider the process leading to COP-6, and noted that an informal consultation may be held on this issue during the intersessional period prior to the informal meetings preceding SB-13. He said discussions during the past two weeks had been very productive. He distributed text for relevant SB-12 draft conclusions that, inter alia, note that the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies, with the assistance of the Secretariat, will develop a text based on the current consolidated text, on other inputs from Parties, and on comments made during the discussions at SB-12. The conclusions also note that the Chairs' text will serve as the basis for negotiation at SB-13. The group adopted these conclusions.

Co-Chairs Bo Kjellen [left] and Mohamad Reza Salamat

Articles 5, 7 and 8

The group continued consideration of the six parts of the Co-Chairs' Proposed Elements of Draft Guidelines under Article 8 of the Kyoto Protocol, starting with the General Approach to Review.

Co-Chair Helen Plume [right] and Newton Paciornik

 

SBSTA :

Delegates adopted, without discussion, draft conclusions on: Guidelines under Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol, which included an Annex on Guidelines for National Systems for the Estimation of Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sources and Removal by Sinks under Article 5.1 of the Kyoto Protocol (FCCC/SBSTA/2000/L.2); Development and Transfer of Technologies - Status of the Consultative Process (Decision 4/CP.4); and Development and Transfer of Technologies - Other Matters (FCCC/SBSTA/2000/L.4).

USA said that the IPCC's special report on "Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories" was prepared to aid all countries, not just those in Annex 1

James Penman of the IPCC [below] elucidated the advisory role of the IPCC in policy development
Chair Harald Dovland [below] closes the meeting of the SBSTA

Halldor Thorgeirsson, Co-Chair of the Contact Group on LULUCF, presents draft conclusions to SBSTA

Nigeria [below] representing the G77/China, reminded participants that IPCC reports are not binding

Interview with Alain Richer (Canada) on Compliance :

In this interview with ENB, Alain Richer explains Canada's position on compliance. NOTE: Parts two and three are in French.

Part one: Richer explains several of Canada's proposals on elements of a compliance system under the Kyoto Protocol. He explains the relationship between facilitative and enforcement approaches to dealing with non-compliance and says problems should be addressed as early as possible in the process, through the work undertaken by Expert Review Teams. On the proposal to suspend the right to acquire emissions rights and reduction credits as a possible consequence of non-compliance, he explains that this would only make it more difficult for the Party concerned to find itself again in compliance

Deuxième partie: En français: Il explique l'opposition du Canada a l'inclusion de principes dans le texte établissant le système de contrôle de conformité, notamment le principe de responsabilités communes mais différenciées. Il propose qu'un approche différenciée se base plutôt sur la nature des obligations et tienne compte de la flexibilité laissée aux Parties dans leur mise en oeuvre.

Troisième partie: Il fait part de l'utilité des travaux accomplis durant la session informelle et indique que les réunions formelles de cette semaine ont permis l'élaboration d'un texte qui permettra, lors de SB-13, des négociations équitables.

In the corridors
 Some participants have said they will be watching with interest the upcoming meeting of the EU Council of Ministers for clearer indications of the Union's negotiating positions on some of the key issues raised at SB-12. Several observers have expressed frustration at the EU's performance during the SB-12 discussions, noting an apparent setback on policies and measures and a lack of coherence, which contrasts with that of the Umbrella Group. Others have suggested that any perceived loss of ground at this stage in the negotiating process is overstated, and that a verdict on the Union's performance is premature prior to the Ministerial meeting, which will take important decisions such as those on sinks and nuclear power.

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