2 September 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published the report of the centralized, in-depth review of the second, third and fourth national communication of Belarus (FCCC/IDR.4/BLR), which was conducted by an expert review team (ERT) in accordance with relevant provisions of the Convention and Article 8 of the Kyoto Protocol.

The ERT noted that, after a sharp decline in GDP over the period 1990-1995 owing to its economic transition, Belarus has been experiencing steady economic growth but despite this the country has kept its GHG emissions at a relatively stable level, below 1990 levels, mostly as a result of changes in the structure of primary energy supply, which was driven by the market and policies targeting the energy sector. Belarus has made some progress in developing its climate change policy framework in order to fulfil its commitments under the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol. The ERT recommends, amongst other things, that Belarus: provide more complete and transparent information on the coverage of and results achieved by policies and measures currently implemented or planned, particularly those in non-energy sectors; assess the effects of the individual policies and measures and the polices and measures aggregated by sector for all sectors, in its next national communication; and provide more detailed information on programmes containing measures to adapt to climate change, including institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms. [The Review]