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
29 October
26 October
25 October
24 October
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 Thursday 31 October 2002

Parties to the UNFCCC’s COP-8 met in two final high-level Round Tables, hearing statements from Ministers and heads of delegation on “Climate Change and Sustainable Development” and “Wrap-Up.” In the morning, delegates convened in a contact group on non-Annex I issues, and in the afternoon in a high-level contact group, to discuss the improved guidelines for the preparation of non-Annex I national communications. In the evening, Parties met briefly in the SBI to consider organizational matters, and began considering non-Annex I national communications, adjourning without completing their work. Informal consultations on the Delhi Declaration also took place, continuing late into the night.

ROUND TABLES OF THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT:

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

COP-8 President Baalu opened the session and Co-Chair Valli Moosa (South Africa) said the Delhi Declaration should draw the link between COP-7 in Marrakesh, the WSSD, and COP-8.

UGANDA recalled the Millennium Development goals and said climate change cripples developing country economies and hinders the realisation of sustainable development.

SLOVAKIA stressed the need to move beyond politicised negotiation to real reduction action.

GERMANY said the EU would build a coalition of like-minded countries willing to commit themselves to timetables and targets for increasing renewable energy.

FRANCE recognized the work of the IPCC Third Assessment Report (TAR) as pivotal to the UNFCCC process.

NIGERIA emphasized social development and poverty alleviation as developing country priorities.

ISRAEL said that it was developing greenhouse gas emission reductions policy.

INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE cautioned that CDM modalities are becoming too complex, and stressed the need for regulatory certainty in order for businesses to make investments.

The US said that its climate policy is grounded in sound economic policy and noted its commitment to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of its economy by 18% over ten years.

ARGENTINA said that Annex I countries have yet to take the lead on climate change. Left photo L-R: Margaret Beckett (UK) and Raul Estrada (Argentina) enjoying a chat after the Round Table session last Wednesday.

ROUND TABLE: WRAP-UP

NORWAY called for a broader climate change regime.

CANADA said it should make reference to, inter alia: the Protocol’s ratification, the IPCC TAR, efforts to reduced greenhouse gas emission; and move closer to the UNFCCC’s ultimate objectives.

SAUDI ARABIA said that the Declaration should be a consensus document prioritizing adaptation to climate impacts and the impacts of Annex I response measures.

ICELAND addressed carbon intensities and the need to stimulate the development of technologies to avoid wasteful emissions. Highlighting the gap between Annex I and non-Annex I countries

PALAU called for immediate action by all Parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

CONTACT GROUP:

NON-ANNEX I ISSUES: Chaired by Josï¿½ Romero (Switzerland) met throughout the day. In the morning, delegates discussed the structure of the guidelines. In the afternoon, SBI Chair Estrada convened a high-level contact group and introduced a new draft of the improved guidelines.

SBI:

Left photo: Chair Estrada convened the SBI late in the evening.

NON-ANNEX I NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS:

Consideration of the fourth compilation and synthesis of initial national communications: Parties agreed the draft decision for consideration by the COP (FCCC/SBI/2002/L.23).

Improvement of the guidelines for the preparation of non-Annex I national communications: Chair Estrada said the draft decision was not yet available. Noting that delegations had a number of suggestions, additions and proposals for the document, he said Parties had agreed to adopt the guidelines ï¿½in a spirit of compromise.ï¿½ The EU requested to see the decision. Chair Estrada suspended the meeting for 30 minutes. Upon reconvening, the EU repeated her request to see the text. CANADA stressed ï¿½normalï¿½ UN procedures by which documents are seen before they are adopted. Chair Estrada adjourned the meeting, saying the text would be ready for consideration Friday.