COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 20 June 2005
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ENV 297 ENER 101 FISC 74 ONU 74 INFORMATION NOTE from : General Secretariat to : Delegations Subject : Twenty-Second Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (Bonn, 19-27 May 2005) Compilation of EU statements
Please find attached for information a compilation of statements delivered by the Luxembourg Presidency on behalf of the European Community and its Member States during SBs 22.
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ANNEX Opening statement Mr Chairman, Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, looks forward to a productive 22nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies in the coming days. The EU welcomes the fact that the climate change policy process has now entered a new phase with the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol on 16 February 2005. The EU is convinced that it is necessary to maintain the momentum and welcomes the fruitful discussions which have been held at the Seminar of Governmental Experts earlier this week, which focussed on current policies and measures as well as future adaptation and mitigation actions at national and international level. The EU looks forward to studying all the ideas on the table in more detail. We wish to set in motion a post-2012 process and are looking forward to further steps in order to start such a process in Montreal at the end of the year. Several Parties have outlined interesting ideas in this regard. The EU will fully support Canada in the preparations of COP 11/MOP 1. In addition, there are other important issues to address at this session, not least ensuring that we make progress with our preparations for COP 11 and COP/MOP 1. We have a very broad agenda to address, with diverse concerns from all the Parties to be examined in a short time. The EU is keen to make progress across the wide range of issues, and to deal with specific issues in the most appropriate parts of the agenda. In relation to the SBSTA agenda, the EU attaches great importance to the agenda item on mitigation, which should provide a scientific and socio-economic basis for discussions on future actions by exchanging experiences and views and by developing a common understanding of the requirements and potential for mitigation and the links with impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation. The agenda item on adaptation will focus on the development of the 5 year work programme on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change, which should assist all Parties to identify and assess regional and local impacts, vulnerabilities and risks in order to provide a basis for future actions. The EU wishes to see further progress on the methodological issues, and in particular welcomes the opportunity to discuss inventory issues on emissions from fuels used for international aviation and maritime transport. As far as the SBI agenda is concerned, the EU recognises the particular vulnerabilities to climate change of developing country Parties, particularly Least Developed Countries. We have already had the opportunity to explore during informal consultations last week how the concerns of these Parties could be met in a constructive way. The EU hopes to build on this work to arrive at a satisfactory solution at this session.
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The EU considers that the preparation and submission of National Communications provide a key means for all Parties to assess and communicate their progress in implementing the Convention and identify their needs for further implementation. For non-Annex I Parties, the timely preparation and submission of their second and subsequent national communications are necessary for the international community, bilaterally and through multilateral agencies, to cooperate with them towards meeting these needs. Furthermore, the EU hopes that agreement can be reached during this session on the key issues of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol budget for the biennium 2006-2007: the size of the budget, its main items and the protection of the budget against further and future substantial exchange fluctuations. Finally, we look forward to constructive discussions on the arrangements for conducting the eleventh Conference of the Parties and the first-ever Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol at the end of the year in Montreal, so that COP 11COP/MOP 1 can provide clear guidance on the necessary measures to reach the ultimate objective of the Convention. Thank you, Mr Chairman.
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SBI Agenda item 3:
National communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (a) Submission of second and, where appropriate, third national communications (b) Work of the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (c) Compilation and synthesis of initial national communications (d) Provision of financial and technical support
Distinguished Chair, Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, believes that National Communications form an essential channel for communication among the Parties of the Convention. They provide important information on action required in the areas of low carbon development and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It is very encouraging to see that over 90 non Annex I Parties have already started preparations for their second national communication and that 17 countries have submitted their project proposal to the GEF. At COP 10 significant progress was made in negotiating the decision text on submission of second and, where appropriate, third national communications. The current Chairman’s text is a fair compromise between the diversifying positions of Parties. The EU strongly encourages all Parties to accept this compromise text, so the issue will be resolved and Parties can move forward on this basis. The document INF.2 provides useful information on the non Annex I Parties needs for low greenhouse gas development projects. The EU encourages countries to seek funding from several possible sources, including bilateral and multilateral co-operation. The EU welcomes the input of the CGE in developing materials for the hands-on training workshops, which provide important support for the non Annex I Parties in preparing their national communications. The EU looks forward to receiving the synthesis of initial national communications to be presented at COP 11 and encourages the Secretariat to include detailed analysis of all sections of the national communications, including identification of strengths and gaps in reporting. Thank you chair.
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SBI Agenda item 4:
Financial mechanism (a) Special Climate Change Fund
Distinguished Chair, Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, expresses its support to the Special Climate Change Fund and stresses the importance of this fund, together with the Least Developed Countries Fund. A total of nearly 35 million US dollars was pledged last year to the SCCF for adaptation and transfer of technology, for which, programming instruments have been prepared. These programmes have now become operational and enable non-Annex I Parties to start preparing for the implementation of eligible activities. For activities under c) and d) of decision 7/CP.7 a programming document is still pending. The EU will actively engage in discussions on guidance to the GEF related to paragraphs 2 c) and d) of decision 7/CP.7. Thank you Chair.
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SBI Agenda item 5:
Implementation of Article 4, paragraphs 8 and 9, of the Convention (a) Matters relating to the least developed countries
Distinguished Chair, Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States would like to emphasise its commitment to this agenda item. In particular the EU wishes to strengthen its support to the Least Developed Countries in building adaptive capacity, integrate climate change into development planning, and addressing their adaptation needs. The Least Developed Countries fund should contribute to achieve this. The EU strongly looks forward to working together with other parties to develop and finalize a draft decision to be forwarded to COP 11 for adoption. The EU believes that in this process the outcome of the pre-sessional LDC consultation as well as the last LEG meeting should be taken into account. The discussions held, especially during the LDC consultations, were cooperative and the EU is confident that this meeting will contribute substantially to a positive outcome of the up coming negotiations. We are confident that the LDC fund will soon be operational to support adaptation activities in the policy and planning process. We welcome the work of Least Developed Countries and the LEG done so far on the preparation of NAPAs. Thank you Chair.
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SBI Agenda item 6:
Arrangements for intergovernmental meetings: (a): Eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties (b): First session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
Mr Chairman, Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, welcomes the opportunity to discuss the possible elements of the provisional agendas for COP 11 and COP/MOP 1, as prepared by the Secretariat. The EU is happy with the proposals concerning the organisation of the sessions. In that context, we note that those proposals are based on conclusions that were negotiated at some length at SBI 18, and on a COP 9 Decision. Both the conclusions and Decision represented a fair compromise, and we doubt that it would be productive to re-open that compromise. Thank you, Mr Chairman. _______________
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SBI Agenda item 6:
Arrangements for intergovernmental meetings: (c) Future sessional periods
Mr Chairman, Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, is content with the proposed dates for the sessional periods in 2010. Naturally we are very interested to hear of any offers from colleagues of venues for COP 12 and COP/MOP 2. We support the IPCC request that the timing of COP 13 should be delayed. Under the current timetable, COP 13 is scheduled to take place 5-16 November 2007, which is a week after the IPCC meeting at which the fourth assessment report (AR4) will be approved. That would be an excessively tight timetable which would: • • •
give the IPCC limited time to provide the final AR4 for consideration of the Parties at COP 13, allow no room for slippage by the IPCC, and give Parties very limited time to consider AR 4 before COP 13.
The IPCC cannot finalise its AR4 any sooner since its timetable has now been set (taking account of the early COP as far as it was able to). There is no further room for flexibility since the drafting of the Report entails complicated coordination of writing teams involving large numbers of scientists. Detailed schedules have already been drawn up and the process is already at an advanced stage, allowing no room for changes. In view of that it is essential for the Parties to agree to IPCC’s modest request for a three or four week delay, in order to ensure that AR4 is given due consideration. Thank you, Mr Chairman.
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SBI Agenda item 6:
Arrangements for intergovernmental meetings: (d) Organization of the intergovernmental process
Mr Chairman, Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, congratulates the participants in the workshop on the organization of the intergovernmental process during SBI 21, chaired by Mr Karsten Sach. The workshop generated a frank and constructive discussion, and should be a starting point for further cooperative work to improve organisation of our process. In particular, many of the participants expressed real concern about the heavy burdens imposed on delegates by the Convention process. The EU wishes to accommodate those concerns, and to respond to them positively. In particular, the EU supports the streamlining of agendas. The EU notes that many participants at the workshop stressed that delegations were overloaded and considers that one way to address this is to try to solve problems – such as the fragmentation of agenda-items and the lack of time for in-depth consideration of issues – by reorganizing the process’ agenda-setting. Turning to participation of observer organizations, the EU reiterates its support for additional forms of dialogue between stakeholders, but does not consider it necessary to take steps further to formalise anything beyond the current practices and procedures. We therefore doubt that it would be necessary to convene or establish new forums. As regards options for improving preparations for meetings, the EU: • • •
welcomes the efforts by the secretariat to continue to improve the timeliness of documentation, supports the encouragement of bilateral discussions intersessionally, with appropriate assistance of SB Chairs, and encourages countries to contribute, as far as possible, to full participation of eligible Parties, on the basis of the current arrangements for financial assistance in that regard.
The EU agrees with the suggestion that the SBI should continue its consideration of the organization of the intergovernmental process at its twenty-forth session in May 2006, in the context of the review of the arrangements made for convening COP/MOP 1 in conjunction with the COP; and that the Executive Secretary should be invited to make proposals on longer-term agenda-setting and multi-year programming, for consideration by the SBI, also at its twenty-fourth session. Thank you, Mr Chairman.
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SBI Agenda item 6:
Arrangements for intergovernmental meetings: (e) Observer organizations in the Convention process
Mr Chairman, Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, would like to stress that the position that we adopted at SBI 20 has not changed – we are content that the current practices, that apply with respect to participation by observers and Parties, are balanced, transparent, satisfactory and adequate. We recall that at that SBI 20 the EU acknowledged the importance of a globally representative participation of NGOs from developing countries and EIT countries. The EU will continue to support such participation. Turning to recent developments in the UN on relations with civil society, the EU notes with satisfaction that most of the steps recommended by the UNSG in the wider UN context are already a part of the UNFCCC practices and procedures. It follows that the EU considers that for the time being, no further immediate action is required by the SBI. The EU agrees with the proposition, in document SBI/2005/5, that the SBI should conclude its deliberations on this matter, perhaps with a view to returning to the matter at a future session in 2007 or 2008. Thank you, Mr Chairman.
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SBI Agenda item 7:
Administrative and financial matters: (b) Programme budget for the biennium 2004-2005
The EU welcomes the Secretariat’s Paper FCCC/SBI/2005/8 and its addenda concerning the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2006/07. In particular we wish to applaud the Secretariat on the detail with which it has set out the forthcoming work programme, and the workable structure it has chosen to separate activities related to the Kyoto Protocol and UNFCCC. The EU welcomes the important funding that has been provisionally allocated to core activities to support the Kyoto Protocol and is keen to ensure that the mechanics needed to make the Protocol work will benefit as much as possible from predictable, reliable funding. The EU appreciates the suggestions put forward by the Secretariat on protecting future budgets against exchange rate fluctuations. We look forward to reaching agreement on this issue, the level of increase in the budget, and the composition of the work programme at this session of the Subsidiary Bodies.
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SBI Agenda item 7:
Administrative and financial matters: (e) internal review of the activities of the Secretariat
Mr Chairman, Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, would like to thank the Secretariat for its invaluable work. It plays an important role with great dedication. We would also like to welcome the internal measures which the Secretariat has already taken as a response to some of the conclusions of the internal review. On some of the main questions raised in the report, we would offer the following observations: • • •
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EU experience with expert groups is positive; the EU sometimes doubts that all documents commissioned from the Secretariat are strictly, or always, necessary; the EU stresses the advantages of cooperation with a wide range of other organizations. It is important that such cooperation is targeted and focused, mutually beneficial, that it provides added value, explores synergies and aims to avoid duplication of work and effort, and is cost-efficient; and EU acknowledges in principle the importance of sufficient and predictable funding for the information systems, databases and clearing houses and is ready to discuss this in detail under item 7(b) in order to avoid overlapping negotiations.
We would happily contribute to a discussion, at this meeting, of the issues raised in the report. Thank you, Mr Chairman.
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SBI Agenda item 8:
Other matters: (a) Level of emissions for the base year of Croatia
Mr. Chairman, Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, reaffirms its view that Croatia is eligible for flexibility under Article 4, paragraph 6 of the Convention, and looks forward to reaching agreement on this matter at this session. Thank you.
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SBSTA Agenda item 3:
Scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change including an insession workshop
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, is pleased to share its views on agenda item 3. Our views are supported by Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. The EU believes that this in-session workshop offered a very good opportunity to start to develop the 5-year programme of work on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change. The views expressed by most Parties on the 5-year programme of work of the SBSTA show that data and methodologies, vulnerability assessments, adaptation planning, measures and actions, and integration into sustainable development are indeed issues that require further consideration under SBSTA. The EU has made concrete proposals in its submission on the scope of the 5-year programme of work with respect to the various issues identified in section IV of 1/CP.10 and the appropriate steps required in order to deliver policy relevant products. The challenge lies in integrating consideration and management of climate change risks into the wide range of climate-affected sectors. The 5-year programme of work has an important role in disseminating key messages to existing processes and institutions at the international, national, regional and local levels and addressing key gaps in knowledge. The EU wishes to draw attention to the increasing body of work being undertaken by existing processes and institutions in relation to improving our understanding of the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of adaptation. In developing the work programme, careful consideration should be given to existing assessments and ongoing work to avoid duplication and deliver an effective programme. SBSTA’s role within this process should be to synthesize such information and disseminate findings. The EU also notes that some proposals have already been made on specific sectors, e.g. water and agriculture, but also on cross-cutting topics such as integration with sustainable development and believes that these provide a basis for further discussion. We welcome the matrix approach suggested by the workshop co-chairs as a useful starting point. We also welcome appropriate activities in order to ensure rapid progress in the development of the five year work programme and its completion at COP 11. The EU considers that the need for adaptation is strongly related to overall levels of climate change, and consequently to mitigation efforts. At the same time, we note that adaptation is an essential complementary action as we will not be able to avoid all climate change. Mr. Chairman, the EU looks forward to working constructively with all Parties in developing the 5-year programme of work on adaptation to climate change with the willingness to make significant progress during this session. Thank you for your attention. ____________________ 10206/05 ANNEX
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SBSTA Agenda item 4:
Scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of mitigation of climate change
Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, is pleased to share its views on agenda item 4. Our views are supported by Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. The EU believes that this in-session workshop, like its predecessors, offered a good opportunity to exchange experiences and views on scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of mitigation of climate change. A growing body of evidence on impacts of and vulnerabilities to climate change show the urgency for mitigation. The presentations at the workshop highlighted the important role of technology development, deployment and diffusion for achieving the emission reductions needed to face the climate challenge. We also learned about the importance of government policies to give incentives to change technologies we pick from the shelf and new technologies we bring to the shelf. The EU noted with interest the presentation on policies and instruments that can help overcome barriers for deployment and diffusion of existing climate friendly technologies in developing countries. The presentations on lessons learned from mitigation projects, notably under the GEF and CDM, showed both the challenges and the potential to achieve multiple co-benefits for sustainable development and poverty reduction with existing mitigation technologies such as low emission and renewable energies or energy efficiency. The EU also noted with interest that the development, deployment and use of advanced low-carbon technologies in developed countries can lead to positive spill-over effects for developing countries by reducing cost through large scale deployment. We believe that many of these issues merit further consideration as discussions at both today’s workshop and at the Seminar of Governmental Experts of last week have shown. In particular, the identification of long-term emission and technology pathways for different levels of climate change and related policies for different sectors would require additional work. For its submission on future work under agenda item 4, due for August 2005, the EU will elaborate on the lessons learned from the mitigation workshops that showed the importance and urgency of mitigating climate change. Consequently, the EU is looking forward to share its ideas with those of other Parties at SBSTA 23 that will, ultimately, have to report to CoP11 on this agenda item. We believe that this exchange of views could take place during an in-session workshop with the aim of reflecting on further work that would support the Parties in the implementation of the Convention. The EU would welcome a decision of COP 11 on starting a process to elaborate a multi-year programme under this agenda item. _____________________
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SBSTA Agenda item 5:
Methodological issues: (a) Emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport
Following up the conclusions reached at SBSTA 19, Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, welcomes the opportunity to discuss inventory issues related to decision 2/CP.3 at this SBSTA. This decision urges the SBSTA to further elaborate on the inclusion of emissions from international aviation and maritime transport in the overall greenhouse gas inventories of Parties. At this SBSTA the EU would like to focus on the data issues related to the different inclusion options still on the table, namely options 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. In particular, the EU would emphasise that doing so is not intended to have any implications for the current commitment period, nor to “predetermine” any future climate change regime. Rather the work that the EU proposes is aimed at better understanding the technical issues, especially data issues, related to the remaining inclusion options. To facilitate relevant and constructive discussions, the EU has submitted a technical paper which was published on 28th April 2005 and posted on the UNFCCC website. Among other things, this paper makes some suggestions about how to proceed with the data issues. The EU would like to thank the UNFCCC Secretariat for the INF.2 document, and the ICAO Secretariat for the MISC.4 document, and looks forward to open and productive discussions.
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SBSTA Agenda item 5:
Methodological issues: (b) Implications of the implementation of project activities under the clean development mechanisms, referred to in decision 12/CP.10, for the achievement of objectives of other environmental conventions and protocols
The EU would like to thank the secretariat for the preparation of the technical paper FCCC/TP/2005/1, which illustrates and summarizes very well the ongoing discussion on the implications of HFC-23 destruction in new HCFC-22 production plants under the CDM. The EU believes that work under this agenda item should focus on implications of the destruction of HFC-23 in new HCFC-22 production facilities. We are concerned about the potential implications, as described in the technical paper. We believe that CDM projects should not have significant negative implications for the achievement of the objectives of the UNFCCC and other environmental agreements, in particular in relation to the Montreal Protocol. Any further action on this issue should ensure that production of HCFC-22 is not expanded as a result of the CDM and that perverse incentives for the UNFCCC or the Montreal Protocol from revenues from CERs in new HCFC-22 production facilities are avoided. We look forward to consider with other Parties effective ways to address this issue. We would like to suggest that SBSTA invites submissions from Parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and that the secretariat prepares, with support from the CDM Executive Board and based on the submissions received, an informal paper illustrating options for SBSTA 23 on how to address this issue.
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SBSTA Agenda item 5:
Methodological issues: (c) Completion of the technical guidance on methodologies for adjustments under the Kyoto Protocol
Mr. Chairman, On behalf of the European Community and its Member States, I would like to thank the Secretariat for preparing the paper FCCC/SBSTA/2005/2. We believe that this paper is a good basis to begin the discussions on guidance for the LULUCF adjustments methods. The EU also expresses its thanks to the Secretariat for the organization of a question and answer session on this item. The EU looks forward to completing the technical guidance on methodologies for adjustments for LULUCF under the Kyoto Protocol at this session. Thank you Mr. Chairman for your attention.
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SBSTA Agenda item 6:
Development and transfer of technologies
Distinguished Chair, Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the EU, states that the EU remains firmly committed to promoting the development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies. The EU welcomed the attention given to technology transfer at the Seminar of Governmental Experts and noted its importance for future action on climate change. Whilst the EU acknowledges the important responsibilities held by governments, it wishes to stress again the central role of the private sector and market forces. The EU also acknowledges the importance of technologies for adaptation, especially for the Least Developed Countries, in addition to technologies for mitigation. The EU continues to acknowledge the importance of the work of the Expert Group on the Transfer of Technology (EGTT). It is for this reason that the EU has again pledged voluntary financial resources to support the implementation of the EGTT Programme of Work for 2005. We thank the Chair of the EGTT for his report and welcome the good progress made to date in the implementation of the work programme for 2005. The EU will now need to consider the details of the EGTT Chair’s report. The EU remains committed to work on this agenda item in a constructive manner. We look forward to agreeing on the terms of reference for the EGTT to use in making recommendations, prior to SBSTA 24, for enhancing the implementation of the framework for the development and transfer of technology. In this regard, the EU invites Parties to focus on those elements that were identified in Decision 6/CP.10, requesting the EGTT to suggest a way forward related to: • innovative public and/or private partnerships, • enhanced cooperation with the private sector, • cooperation with the relevant conventions and intergovernmental processes, and • medium- and long-term planning of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer. The EU will, in addition, co-operate with colleagues on the preparations for the already mandated seminar on technologies for adaptation to be held June 2005; and, on a follow up seminar to the workshop on innovative options for financing held last year, to elaborate how we can further collaborate with and engage the industry and finance sectors. Thank you chair.
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SBSTA Agenda item 7:
"Good Practices" in policies and measures among Parties included in Annex I to the Convention
Mr. Chairman, Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, welcomed the Seminar of Governmental Experts and the exchange of views on the broad range of policies and measures undertaken by Parties. The EU also welcomes the round table discussion on policies and measures to be held on Tuesday 24 May and thanks the secretariat for all its hard work in the preparations for the round table. The EU considers that the round table offers a valuable opportunity to exchange information and share experience on policies and measures and will participate actively in the discussion, including providing a number of speakers. The EU also looks forward to the secretariat report of the round table which will be considered at the next SBSTA session. The EU was grateful for the secretariat paper on ‘options for approaches to sharing experience and exchanging information on “good practices” in policies and measures’ which was a good basis for the discussion at SBSTA 21. It was disappointing that more progress was not made on this issue and the EU hopes that some agreement can be reached on the use of web based approaches at this session. The EU believes that the access to and the availability of comprehensive information on existing practices is very important to the efficient application of measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The development of a web-based tool could contribute to improving the access to and availability of that information. The EU is in favour of a prompt start through a smart, low cost web page, with a review after some period of time. Depending on the results of that review a decision on further steps should be taken. The EU looks forward to continuing the discussion on this issue. Thank you.
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SBSTA Agenda item 8:
Research needs relating to the Convention
Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, would like to thank the Secretariat for the synthesis of views on issues from the research event at the twentieth session of SBSTA. We found the views expressed by other Parties useful. The EU considers that these submissions confirm the interest of Parties in continuing the SBSTA work under this agenda item. The EU acknowledges that there is a wide range of national and international research undertaken to investigate all aspects of climate change. However, the EU is of the opinion that there is a need to ensure that the specific needs of the Convention, and in particular cross disciplinary issues are addressed by these research efforts. The UNFCCC receives its primary scientific advice from the IPCC. However, the IPCC does not undertake research. It can only assess and review what is already published. It is therefore necessary for the Parties to ensure that research on climate issues addresses policy relevant questions as well as the more fundamental science. This research will feed into future IPCC reports and help build capacity in relation to policy relevant research. To address policy relevant and cross-disciplinary issues most effectively, the full involvement and close co-operation of both national and international research organisations is required. The EU considers that this agenda item is also an appropriate means for encouraging the research community to engage developing countries more fully in programmes of research. In this respect, the EU considers that a brief study should be carried out to identify key policy relevant research issues to be communicated to the research community. This could, for example, draw on previous submissions from Parties and noting the IPCC research suggestions. Additional ideas could be sought from Parties before its completion. Such a study would also identify existing or planned research that will address those recommendations and identify areas not addressed and suggest means to redress such gaps. We suggest that this be reported to the next meeting of SBSTA.
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SBSTA Agenda item 9:
Cooperation with relevant international organizations: (a) Special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on safeguarding the ozone layer and global climate system: issues relating to hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons
Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, welcomes the Special Report on ‘Safeguarding the Ozone Layer and the Global Climate System: Issues relating to HFCs and PFCs’. We wish to thank the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel for their efforts in producing a clear and informative report. The report highlights issues associated with the impact on the climate and the ozone layer of ozone depleting substances and their replacements. We would like to note with appreciation the work of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in reducing production and consumption of CFCs and HCFCs, which has contributed to climate change mitigation. The report identifies a number of important issues. The current trends and future emissions of HFCs used as replacements for ozone depleting substances were highlighted in the report. Emissions from banks of halocarbons (CFCs/HCFCs/HFCs) is another important area raised in the report that requires further consideration. Other important findings included the potential to use low GWP alternatives to HCFCs and HFCs, the need for quantification of emissions from current production and use of CFCs and HFCs, and related indirect emissions associated with energy use. The report identified that emissions of HFC23 as by-product of HFC22 production are expected to grow considerably. Cooperation between the UNFCCC and the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer should enhance consideration of the issues raised in the report. The most constructive approach is likely to result from a joint identification of the main areas to be addressed with regard to climate change mitigation and ozone layer protection. We would be interested to learn the views of other Parties on the conclusions of the Special Report, and would welcome the opportunity to discuss with them how to improve linkages between ozone and climate experts. We would like to establish a process to engage both policy expert communities in consideration of the report and subsequent activities to address the issues it raises. One approach would be to hold a workshop for Parties to the UNFCCC and the Montreal Protocol. The report of such a workshop could be presented to the respective COPs and MOPs for their consideration to assist future deliberations on this subject.
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SBSTA Agenda item 9:
Cooperation with relevant international organizations (b) International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
Distinguished Chair, Luxemburg is speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States. The High Level Panel on global threats and Challenges, the Sachs Report on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and the report of the UN Secretary-General in preparation for the Millennium Review Summit all draw our attention to environmental degradation as a major global threat to humanity, and highlight climate change and energy for sustainable development as the core priorities for international cooperation. The EU agrees with this sober assessment and recognises the UNFCCC as the leading intergovernmental body to take forward international action on climate change with a responsibility to build alliances with all processes addressing sustainable development. The EU is committed to enhancing policy coherence and hopes the UNFCCC SB will continue to send strong messages to upcoming international meetings about the threats to development from climate change and of the need for concerted action. An important achievement has been reached at the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS in Mauritius this January. For the first time it has been officially recognized and stated that climate change and sea-level rise pose a major threat to SIDS. Integrating climate change into development planning and decision-making on coastal zone management, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, energy, health and water resource management can help to address these climate-related concerns. Secondly, the international community has agreed to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy (globally) as a matter of priority and welcome further discussion of linkages with CSD 14/15 at CoP11. These are first encouraging steps and should serve as a basis for further efforts in this area. Thank you Chair.
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SBSTA Agenda item 10:
Other matters: (a) Issues relating to the implementation of Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Kyoto Protocol
Distinguished Chair, Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, would like to inform the meeting that it will maintain its position stated since SB16; that is, that Article 2(3) is already covered under decision 5/CP.7 which is related to Articles 4(8) and 4(9) and under decision 9/CP.7 which is related to Article 3(14). The EU continues to be of the opinion that Article 2(3) should be discussed after COP/MOP 1. Thank you Chair.
10206/05 ANNEX
MDL/cm DG I
24
EN
