23 May 2011: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published the scenario note (FCCC/KP/AWG/2011/3) for the second part of the 16th session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP 16), which aims to share with delegations reflections on the first part of the 16th session and to inform them of the proposed organization of work for the second part.

On the first part of AWG-LCA 16, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 5-8 April 2011, the Scenario Note recalls that the following themes were addressed: recognition of the need for political clarity on the future of the Kyoto Protocol, particularly on the question of a second commitment period; better understanding of the relationship between the rules and the targets; broad agreement that the rules must ensure environmental integrity; general recognition that both rules and targets are needed to finalize the commitments of Annex I Parties for a second commitment period; and broad support for the usefulness of an analysis on how choices of rules could affect the ambition level of the pledges by parties.

On the mode of work, the note indicates that following informal consultations, there was broad support for a legal group to be convened in June 2011. While there is need for further consultation on the scope of the work that such a group may undertake, the legal options to address a possible gap between the first and second commitment periods appears to be an issue of common interest. This will be held in Bonn, Germany, from 7-17 June 2011. [Publication: Scenario Note on the Second Part of the 16th Session of the AWG-KP]