14 November 2016
SBI Adopts Conclusions as COP Readies for CMA 1 Launch
Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
story highlights

COP 22 negotiators met in contact groups and informal consultations under the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA), on 11 and 12 November.

An informal stocktaking plenary was convened with results expected by Wednesday, 16 November.

COP President Mezouar launched an appeal to all parties to support the 'Marrakech Call for Action'.

12 November 2016: As the Marrakech Climate Change Conference continued on 11 and 12 November, negotiators met in contact groups and informal consultations under the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA). The first part of the SBI closing plenary convened on 11 November.

On 11 November, the facilitative dialogue on enhancing ambition and support took place under the Conference of the Parties (COP). It aimed to assess progress on the enhancement of pre-2020 ambition and means of implementation. Speakers said that, by 2030, the carbon budget will be exceeded and ambition needs to increase five-fold to meet the two-degree goal, and methodologies should account for climate finance to increase transparency and confidence. [UNFCCC Webcast of dialogue]

SBI contact groups and informal consultations forwarded draft conclusions to the SBI on modalities and procedures for the operation and use of a public registry referred to in the Paris Agreement article. On Terms of Reference (ToR) for the review of the functions of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF), parties shared views on a new version of the draft decision, specifically the ToR and its section on the objective of the review. Parties were unable to agree on the text, which was then submitted, with remaining brackets, to the SBI Chair.

On matters relating to the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms, and review of modalities and procedures for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), delegates could not agree on the draft SBI conclusions. On administrative, financial and institutional matters, and budget performance for the biennium 2016-2017, parties could not reach agreement on a draft COP decision text, and consultations with the SBI Chair will take place.

The SBI plenary adopted conclusions on reporting from Non-Annex I parties and the work of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE).

The SBI plenary adopted conclusions on reporting from Non-Annex I parties and the work of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE). On reporting from and review of Annex I parties, and the compilation and synthesis of second biennial reports, the SBI Chair said he will report to the COP that the SBI could not conclude its work. The SBI adopted conclusions related to: the provision of financial and technical support; the development of modalities and procedures for the operation and use of a public registry referred to in the Paris agreement; procedures, mechanisms and institutional arrangements for appeals against decisions of the CDM Executive Board; matters relating to the least developed countries (LDCs); national adaptation plans; the Poznan Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer; scope and modalities for the periodic assessment of the technology mechanism in relation to supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement; and capacity building. On the report of the Adaptation Committee, the SBI recommended a draft decision to the COP.

Various SBSTA contact groups and informal consultations also convened. On agriculture, parties agreed to forward only draft procedural conclusions to the SBSTA, with several groups and parties intervening to express their disappointment at the lack of a substantive COP decision on this item.

On the Technology Framework under the Paris Agreement, parties agreed on draft conclusions and a reflection note by the Co-Chairs. Consultations are continuing on: modalities for the accounting of financial resources provided and mobilized through public interventions in accordance with the Paris Agreement; research and systematic observation; and the Nairobi Work Programme. SBSTA/SBI joint contact groups and informal consultations discussed: the joint annual report of the Technology Executive Committee and the Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN); impact of the implementation of response measures; and the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) Executive Committee’s report.

During APA informal consultations, delegates discussed: modalities and procedures for the effective operation of the committee to facilitate implementation and promote compliance; global stocktake; modalities, procedures and guidelines for the transparency framework for action and support; further matters related to implementation of the Paris Agreement; further guidance in relation to the mitigation section of Decision 1/CP.21; and further guidance in relation to the adaptation communication, including, inter alia, as a component of NDCs.

The APA contact group considered a draft of the APA general conclusions, including on the organization of work proposed by the APA co-chairs, as well as draft conclusions recommending decision text on the rules of procedure of the COP serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA). Parties made initial comments, including seeking clarity on: the placeholder paragraphs with respect to each agenda item; how proposals on further work under each item would be integrated into the proposed work; and the co-chairs’ proposed informal reflection note. The APA co-chairs will provide a revised draft of the APA general conclusions reflecting the co-facilitators’ reports on each agenda item for parties’ further reflection.

On Saturday, 12 November, an informal stocktaking plenary was convened by COP President Salaheddine Mezouar, who said he expected results by Wednesday, 16 November. He also said he had appointed members of his delegation to undertake consultations on: the adoption of the CMA rules of procedure; vulnerability of Africa; and a platform for local communities and indigenous peoples. The SBSTA Chair, SBI Chair and APA Co-Chair all reported on progress made in their respective groups. COP President Mezouar then outlined plans for the second week, including launching CMA 1.

Various COP contact groups and informal consultations met throughout the day. On decision-making in the UNFCCC process, parties agreed to continue discussions at COP 23. On matters related to finance and the initiation of a process to identify the information to be provided by parties in accordance with Paris Agreement Article 9.5, the co-chairs will revise the non-paper based on bilateral consultations with parties.

On long-term climate finance, parties will engage informally and the co-chairs will draft a structured text based on parties’ submissions and views for further consideration. Discussions will also continue on the report of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to the COP and guidance to the GEF, and streamlined text will be prepared on the report of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to the COP and guidance to the GCF. Consultations will also continue on linkages between the Technology Mechanism and Financial Mechanism of the Convention.

Numerous CMP contact groups and informal consultations also met during the day. Discussions will continue on matters related to Joint Implementation and matters related to the CDM. On the report of the Adaptation Fund Board, the co-chairs will revise the draft text based on parties’ inputs. On administrative, financial and institutional matters, and budget performance for the biennium 2016-2017, discussions continued in the contact group on the basis of a draft COP decision considered, but no agreement was reached.

During APA contact groups and informal consultations, parties discussed further matters related to implementation of the Paris Agreement, including on the Adaptation Fund serving the Paris Agreement. The APA Co-Chairs circulated their reflections on earlier discussions on issues under this agenda item, accompanied by a note capturing parties’ views. Informal consultations will continue.

On further guidance in relation to the mitigation section of Decision 1/CP.21, there was consensus on a call for more focused submissions although no agreement on further technical work at this stage. Parties also exchanged views on accounting for NDCs.

On modalities and procedures for the effective operation of the Committee to facilitate implementation and promote compliance, several parties suggested that submissions should specify modalities and procedures required for the effective operation of the Committee and elaborate elements that could be addressed through such modalities and procedures. Informal consultations will continue.

On further guidance in relation to the adaptation communication, including, inter alia, as a component of NDCs, parties were asked to provide their reflections on the co-facilitators’ draft note and further ideas on the workplan going forward on Monday.

On modalities, procedures and guidelines for the transparency framework for action and support, parties discussed a draft co-facilitators’ informal note on a workplan, including organization of work, modalities, and submissions and workshops under the “next steps” section. Parties accepted the next steps for the APA conclusions on this item, while the organization of work and modalities sections will form part of the co-facilitators’ reflections for the APA Co-Chairs.

In the APA contact group on these agenda items (items 3-8), delegates were informed that revised APA draft conclusions, including on organization of work, are available, and that informal consultations will continue on Monday, 14 November, before the APA closing plenary. Following reports from the co-facilitators of informal consultations, Parties then exchanged views on the updated draft conclusions. Many countries called for continuing work on the “rulebook” of the Paris Agreement in the second week. Mezouar said he would take up this issue in the next Bureau meeting, and launched an appeal to all parties to support the ‘Marrakech Call for Action,’ describing it as “a call based on the values we are all committed to.” [IISD RS Coverage of COP 22]


related events


related posts