The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has recommended three draft decisions for consideration and adoption by the Conference of the Parties (COP) on: further guidance on safeguards information systems (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.5/Add.1); guidance on alternative policy approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.5/Add.2); and methodological issues related to non-carbon benefits (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.5/Add.3).
The draft decisions will be considered for adoption by the COP when it meets for its 21st session in Paris, France, in December 2015.
11 June 2015: The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has recommended three draft decisions for consideration and adoption by the Conference of the Parties (COP) on: further guidance on safeguards information systems (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.5/Add.1); guidance on alternative policy approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.5/Add.2); and methodological issues related to non-carbon benefits (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.5/Add.3). The draft decisions will be considered for adoption by the COP when it meets for its 21st session in Paris, France, in December 2015.
While recognizing that the achievement of non-carbon benefits is not a condition for funding, the draft decision on non-carbon benefits would have the COP note its importance. The draft decision would have the COP recognize that parties seeking support for the integration of non-carbon benefits into REDD+ activities may provide information addressing, inter alia, the nature, scale and importance of the non-carbon benefits.
The draft decision on alternative policy apporaches, would have the COP acknowledge that: alternative policy approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests, are subject to the methodological guidance and the guidance on safeguards; and that joint mitigation and adaptation approaches may be a policy alternative to results-based payments for REDD+.
On safeguards, the draft decision acknowledges the importance of adapting safeguards to national circumstances, and encourages parties to report on the safeguards they adopt as well as their implementation and assessment.
The draft decisions were adopted by the SBSTA at its 42nd session under the agenda item on methodological guidance for REDD+. [IISD RS Coverage of Bonn Climate Change Conference] [SBSTA 42nd Session Website] [SBSTA 42nd Session – In session documents] [Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) Blog]