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Vol.
12 No. 313
COP 12 AND COP/MOP 2 HIGHLIGHTS:
On Saturday, delegates met in contact groups and informal consultations
on a range of issues, including the adaptation programme of work, Annex
I and non-Annex I communications, AWG, the Belarus proposal, capacity
building, deforestation, education and public awareness (UNFCCC Article
6), HCFC-22
and HFC-23, privileges and immunities, research and
systematic observation, response measures, review of the Protocol
(Article 9), technology transfer, the financial mechanism, and
administrative, financial and institutional matters.
CONTACT GROUPS AND INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS ADAPTATION
PROGRAMME OF WORK:
During morning informal consultations, parties agreed on language for the
chapeau paragraphs of the sub-themes in the list of activities. These now
state that the SBSTA decides that activities “are undertaken in line
with the objective” in Decision 2/CP.11, and that the activities “can
contribute” to, “inter alia”, the various actions identified
in the sub-themes.
An additional subparagraph on exchange of experiences in economic
diversification, including ways in which economic diversification can be
integrated into sustainable development plans, was added to the draft
text.
In the afternoon, parties addressed textual changes presented by the
small drafting group and timing of actions and deliverables. Differences
remained on actions and deliverables under two sub-themes:
climate-related risks and extreme events; and socioeconomic information.
On the G-77/China’s proposal for an advisory working group, various
countries questioned the need and specific mandate of such a group, and
supported having parties submit their views on the matter. ADMINISTRATIVE,
FINANCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL MATTERS:
During informal consultations, delegates reached consensus on the draft
COP and COP/MOP decisions and the Chair’s draft conclusions, pending two
parties’ consultations on: the agreement concerning the headquarters of
the Secretariat; and the paragraph on encouraging continued efforts of the
UNFCCC Executive Secretary to ensure a wider geographical balance in
senior and managerial appointments. ANNEX
I COMMUNICATIONS: Protocol Article
3.2 (demonstrable progress): Co-Chairs
Bersee and Rolle convened informal consultations on the synthesis of
reports in accordance with Protocol Article 3.2. Parties acknowledged
actions already taken by Annex I parties, while also commenting on
developments in their emissions trends. Parties revisited a draft decision
prepared by the Co-Chairs, which contains a number of bracketed issues,
including references to the late submission of Annex I Reports on
Demonstrable Progress (RDPs), the increasing trend in emissions of Annex I
parties, and a recommendation on a draft COP/MOP
decision. Discussions focused on text in the draft decision calling on
Annex I parties to intensify efforts to meet commitments and urging them
to submit RDPs. The Co-Chairs invited parties to conduct “informal
informal” discussions. AWG
ISSUES: During informal consultations, AWG Chair Zammit
Cutajar circulated his first draft text for discussion on further
commitments for Annex I parties. The text includes language on the
long-term vision, legal matters, timeline and method of work, information
from other bodies, and the programme of work, including: analysis of
mitigation potential; review of the means of implementation for mitigation
policies; and setting targets. Parties raised a number of questions on the detail, for
the most part reflecting differences already rehearsed during meetings of
the contact group. BELARUS
PROPOSAL:
During informal consultations, delegates discussed technical and legal
issues related to the proposal. A number of developed countries noted that
the proposed amendment to the Protocol may not be ratified by all parties,
and may only come into force right before or after the end of the first
commitment period. The Secretariat will compile an overview of procedural
issues related to the proposed amendment. On the level of commitment,
parties asked for clarification regarding emissions trends presented by
Belarus. CAPACITY
BUILDING: Convention:
In a contact group, parties considered draft texts previously submitted by
the EU and G-77/China, addressing whether text on the objective of
monitoring capacity building should be preambular or operative. Informal
consultations were held over lunchtime in an attempt to reach consensus
between the two groups. However, back in the contact group this did not
result in agreement, with the G-77/CHINA expressing frustration at the
exclusion of some of the text from its proposal. Regarding a proposed
expert workshop in collaboration with the GEF, Co-Chair d’Auvergne noted
that this idea had received considerable support at SBI 24. However,
several parties questioned the “usefulness” of such a meeting, and one
party expressed concern that negotiations were “moving backwards.” Protocol:
Negotiations on draft text on Saturday morning did not result in
agreement, and the item was not taken up in the afternoon as delegates
sought to make progress on capacity building under the Convention.
DEFORESTATION:
On
the scope of a second workshop, parties agreed to continue discussing the
topics identified in the first workshop, focusing on ongoing and potential
policy approaches and positive incentives, and technical and
methodological requirements related to their implementation. Parties have
yet to agree whether to consider definitions and terminology from other
relevant international processes and multilateral agreements. EDUCATION,
AWARENESS AND TRAINING (ARTICLE 6):
Informal consultations resulted in some progress in determining the
strategy for reviewing the New Delhi work programme and developing an
enhanced work programme. Additional text on the GEF was proposed late in
the session. FINANCIAL
MECHANISM:
Delegates considered the Co-Chairs’ draft text on the review of the
financial mechanism, with unresolved issues reportedly relating to the
funding of mitigation and adaptation options. Discussions also began on
the Co-Chairs’ draft text on additional guidance to the GEF, which
requests the GEF to, inter alia: simplify procedures; remove the
requirement of co-financing for adaptation projects; and report on
resources allocated to each developing country under the RAF. HCFC-22
AND HFC-23: Parties
discussed a Chair’s draft text on the implications of establishing new
HCFC-22 facilities seeking to obtain certified emission reductions (CERs)
for destroying HFC-23. Regarding institutional arrangements on CER
issuance, one large developing country, opposed by several parties,
preferred a reference to CERs being issued to the “host government”
rather than to “another institution.” There was also disagreement over
what happens with “remaining CERs” left over after certain costs are
met, with some developing countries preferring that these CERs
be
cancelled, while another wanted these to be used to “benefit the global
environment.” REVIEW
OF THE PROTOCOL (ARTICLE 9): Bilateral
consultations were conducted by Fernando Tudela Abad (Mexico) aimed at
considering views on how to proceed. RESEARCH
AND SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION: The
contact group finished its work on draft conclusions
to be forwarded to SBSTA. Deliberations on Saturday focused on an
additional paragraph proposed by Japan regarding the importance of further
integration and coordination of Earth observations. The text was agreed
after further amendments that resulted in the addition of two paragraphs
on “integrated global analysis products” and the promotion of national
GCOS and GEOSS activities. NON-ANNEX
I COMMUNICATIONS:
Co-Chairs Bersee and Rolle completed informal consultations on two draft
conclusions: the provision of financial and technical support, and the
work of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on non-Annex I National
Communications. Parties discussed a revised version of the Co-Chairs’
text distributed Friday. Developing countries proposed treating the draft
conclusions as a package. On the work of the CGE, parties agreed
amendments to a paragraph on bottom-up approaches to vulnerability, and to
a paragraph on a workshop on sharing good practices in national
communications and cross-cutting issues. In their draft on provision of
financial and technical support, the Co-Chairs had inserted text proposed
by developing countries on an SBI recommendation that the COP invite the
GEF to provide updated information on operational procedures for expedited
financing of non-Annex I communications, for consideration by SBI 26.
Explaining that operational procedures had been delegated to UN agencies,
the GEF added that the average time between approval and reimbursement had
been reduced to between four and six weeks. PRIVILEGES
AND IMMUNITIES:
Chair Watkinson presented the contact group with SBI draft conclusions
containing a proposed COP/MOP 2 decision on issues such as Secretariat
assistance to individuals who are the subject of disputes, minimizing the
risks of such disputes, and financial implications. In the section on
assistance, CANADA replaced references to “disputes, complaints or
claims” with “concerns or issues” and also proposed removing a
specific reference to the Secretariat providing “legal counsel.”
BRAZIL suggested establishing an ad hoc special review team to
analyze complaints or claims. However, CANADA said this would require
considerable discussion, and the proposal was not included in the text.
ARGENTINA noted different perceptions on whether the risk to individuals
serving on Protocol bodies is a significant issue. She suggested that
Canada’s proposals had “weakened” the current text and urged
further consideration of this matter. Parties agreed to a proposal from
Brazil for a new paragraph inviting parties to submit their views on the
issue by 23 February 2007. The agreed text will be forwarded to SBI. PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISION 1/CP.10: Co-Chairs
Churie-Kallhauge and Adejuwon convened informal consultations on progress
on the implementation of Decision 1/CP.10 (response measures). Parties
discussed the Co-Chairs’ draft conclusions on consideration of the
expert meeting reports on response measures (FCCC/SBI/2006/13)
and on economic diversification (FCCC/SBI/2006/18).
There was disagreement over a paragraph listing issues discussed at the
SBI, and favored for inclusion by developing countries. Chair
Churie-Kallhauge invited parties to consider a replacement opening
paragraph indicating that SBI had initiated consideration of the reports
and had agreed that the issues identified for further consideration should
serve as the basis for future discussion. TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFER: The
Co-Chairs distributed draft conclusions and a draft decision. Parties
negotiated the preambular section of the draft decision
paragraph-by-paragraph. Parties agreed on, inter alia, paragraphs
acknowledging work done, referencing the World Bank, GEF and other
organizations, and the need to accelerate innovation in the transfer of
technology. There was general support for the idea of providing funding
for technology needs assessments, though no specific language was agreed.
Differences remained on preambular paragraphs regarding intellectual
property rights, adequacy of financial mechanisms, and adequacy of the
EGTT. Parties have yet to consider key areas such as funding, monitoring, and which body should address implementation of Convention Article 4.5 (technology transfer) – the EGTT or the G-77/China-proposed “technology development and transfer board” – as well as the body’s terms of reference. IN
THE
BREEZEWAYS
One contact group chair caught the mood of the meeting at this halfway
stage when he greeted participants’ congratulations on the completion
of negotiations on a draft text with an apology that “we couldn’t
deal with the underlying issues… but that is for next year.” The
comment reflects a sense among some that the progress made on a number
of issues on a packed day of meetings has only been “tentative” and
“modest” with major decisions awaiting an injection of high-level
political will.
Looking ahead to the high-level ministerial, some delegates have been
absorbing an opinion piece by Kofi Annan for The Washington
Post on 8 November. The article cited the recent Stern report and
made a case for strong action at the Nairobi conference, where Annan
will open the high-level session on Wednesday. The Secretary-General is
expected to use his visit to Nairobi to champion Africa's climate
concerns on the eve of his departure from office. In other news, speculation was already beginning over where COP 13 and COP/MOP 3 might take place, with Bali apparently in the running.
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