7 April 2015: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published the report on the fourth and last session of the structured expert dialogue (SED) on the 2013-2015 review. The 2013–2015 review is carried out by the Conference of the Parties (COP) with assistance from the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), which established a joint contact group. The COP established the SED in 2012 to support the work of the joint contact group and ensure the scientific integrity of the review through a focused exchange of views, information and ideas.

In 2010, the Conference of the Parties (COP) recognized that deep cuts in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are required according to science with a view to reducing global GHG emissions so as to hold the increase in global average temperature below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels (the long-term global goal).

The COP also decided to periodically review the adequacy of this long-term global goal in the light of the ultimate objective of the Convention (theme 1), and overall progress towards achieving the long-term global goal, including a consideration of the implementation of the commitments under the Convention (theme 2). The 2013–2015 review was also tasked with the consideration of the strengthening the long-term global goal referencing various matters by the science, including in relation to temperature rises of 1.5 °C.

SED 4 included two meetings: the first (SED 4-1) in Lima, Peru, on 2-3 December 2014, considered the Synthesis Report (SYR) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), as well as relevant work from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the World Bank; and the second (SED 4-2) in Geneva, Switzerland, on 8-9 February 2015, considered information from United Nations agencies, international organizations and processes under the Convention, and regional and emerging information.

SED 4-1 opened with an introductory presentation made by an IPCC expert on the overarching findings of the AR5 SYR that are relevant to both themes of the 2013–2015 review. Subsequently, two presentations focused on: the adequacy of the long-term global goal in terms of preventing unacceptable consequences for ecosystems and food production, and for sustainable economic development; and on the adequacy of the 2 °C upper limit of temperature rise in terms of risk management within planetary boundaries and progress towards the long-term global goal. The presentations were followed by a substantive discussion guided by questions. On the second day of SED 4-1, participants heard from presenters from UN organizations and intergovernmental organizations who addressed: the mitigation and adaptation gaps; food production and security; the health impacts of climate change and mitigation co-benefits; how to set the price of carbon; and the decarbonization of the energy system and related technology perspectives.

SED 4-2 opened a presentation by the Adaptation Committee (AC), which was followed by two presentations by: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), addressing matters relating to the linkages between biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation; and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), focusing on desertification and land degradation and their impacts on natural ecosystems and food security. A final presentation illustrated the work of the SBI supporting adaptation and mitigation action through capacity-building including the role of education for mitigation. The second day of SED 4-2 featured presentations by regional centres in the Caribbean, Pacific and the Arctic, illustrating observed impacts of climate change in these regions, with a focus on Pacific and Caribbean small island developing States (SIDS), followed by a presentation on agriculture and food security in a changing climate with a focus on tropical regions. A final presentation by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) illustrated emerging information on the state of the climate published after the AR5 cut-off dates.

The final factual report of the SED, including a technical summary, will be prepared by the SED co-facilitators with the assistance of the UNFCCC Secretariat. It will include a technical summary of the SED and the summary reports of the four sessions of the SED in annexes. This final report will serve as input to the work of the Joint Contact Group on the 2013-2015 review when it meets in June 2015, during the 42nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies. The Joint Contact Group is expected to formulate recommendations to the Conference of the Parties (COP) on the 2013-2015 review. [SED 4 Report] [IISD RS Story on SED 4-2]