Journey to Doha - key climate change talks in Bonn

2012-05-14 08:59 by Anja Reitz

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will gather in Bonn for the 36th Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB 36) for Implementation (SBI) and Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) on 14-25 May 2012. This meeting will also host three other Subsidiary Bodies including the Ad Hoc Working Groups on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (15th session of the AWG-LCA), Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (17th session of the AWG-KP), and the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (1st session of the ADP).

The Technology Executive Committee (TEC) will also be holding its 3rd meeting on 28-29 May, and the 1st meeting of the Joint Implementation (JI) Designated Focal Points will be on 26 May.

The Global CCS Institute will be actively engaged in this UNFCCC meeting. This emphasises the importance the Institute places on the outcomes of UNFCCC negotiations in regards to the inclusion of CCS in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Technology Mechanism, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and New Market Based Mechanisms. Participation in these meetings also provides the opportunity to positively influence outcomes and be able to assist in the future implementation of CCS projects under all current and future UNFCCC arrangements.

The opening plenaries of SBSTA and SBI are scheduled for 14 May, with informal groups expected to convene over 14-16 May (and beyond as needed) to find common ground on issues in anticipation of settling position/s for future AWG-KP and the AWG-LCA consideration.

SBSTA will continue to explore CCS methodological issues. This discussion will, at a minimum, include the two outstanding issues arising from COP 17. These are treatment of transboundary projects (ie. transporting COacross national borders) and justification (or lack thereof) of a global reserve provision. These issues will ultimately be considered by the AWG-KP within a context of providing recommendations to the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) at its 8th meeting (CMP 8) in Doha in December 2012. The Institute provided the UNFCCC Secretariat with a submission on these issues in March, and will seek to better understand the positions of other parties and stakeholders as well as the UNFCCC Secretariat's summary of the views expressed.

SBSTA is also hosting a research dialogue on 19 May, which is expected to cover a broad range of technical discussions relevant to the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Durban Platform.

The SBI will continue to explore Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) by developed and developing country Parties, including the composition and rules governing teams of technical experts to engage in international consultations and analysis. Also relevant is the Development and Transfer of Technologies agenda which includes the TEC’s 2012-13 work plan, as well as the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). An expected outcome of the meeting is a validation of SBI’s recommendation for the Host Centre, which will be presented to the Conference of Parties for decision at its 18th meeting (COP 18). This is within a context of the Technology Mechanism being fully operational in 2012.

The opening plenaries of the AWG-LCA and AWG-KP are scheduled to commence on 15 May. A major focus for the AWG-KP is the extent to which emission reduction pledges can be quantified as legally binding emission limitations or reduction objectives by amending Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol. This is within a context of the Kyoto Protocol's 2nd commitment period beginning on 1 January 2013 and ending either on 31 December 2017 or 31 December 2020. The AWG-KP is also aiming to complete its work by CMP 8. Also relating to the business of the Kyoto Protocol is a workshop scheduled for 16 May on the progress of the current CDM Policy Dialogue.

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Source: Global CCS Institute - blog by Mark Bonner (08 May 2012)

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