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Published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) 
<http://iisd.ca> 

 

Vol. 12 No. 346
Thursday, 6 December 2007

COP 13 AND COP/MOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS: 

WEDNESDAY, 5 DECEMBER 2007

In the morning and afternoon, the COP/MOP convened in plenary to consider 
issues relating to the CDM, joint implementation (JI), the second review of the 
Protocol under Article 9, the compliance committee, and various other matters. 
SBI took up agenda items on reporting and review of information submitted by 
Annex I parties to the Protocol, capacity building, Protocol Article 3.14 
(adverse effects), the international transaction log, and compliance. Contact 
groups convened on the Adaptation Fund, reducing emissions from deforestation 
in developing countries, long-term cooperative action under the Convention, 
technology transfer, and the AWG's work programme and timetable.

COP/MOP

CDM: CDM Executive Board Chair Hans Jürgen Stehr presented the annual report 
(FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/3), noting that the project pipeline is expected to generate 
more than 2.5 billion Certified Emission Reductions, and drawing attention to 
management challenges. 

Several delegates expressed satisfaction at the Board's work and many, 
including CHINA, the EU, IRAN, JAPAN, and the G-77/CHINA, suggested further 
improving the Board's management and CDM procedures. Switzerland, for the 
ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY GROUP, supported by the INTERNATIONAL EMISSIONS TRADING 
ASSOCIATION (IETA), proposed an assessment of the CDM by COP/MOP 4. 

Several delegates highlighted the need to consider CDM projects' equitable 
geographic distribution and capacity building. CHINA, the EU and others 
outlined their capacity building activities. CAMBODIA, TANZANIA, BENIN, TOGO 
and others highlighted the needs of LDCs, and MAURITIUS and TUVALU the needs of 
SIDS. COLOMBIA outlined post-2012 considerations and ARGENTINA proposed 
sectoral CDM projects. John Kilani (Qatar) and Georg Børsting (Norway) will 
convene a contact group. 

JOINT IMPLEMENTATION: JI Supervisory Committee Chair Fatou Gaye presented the 
Committee's report (KP/2007/4 Part I & Part II), noting that the Committee will 
only be self-financing by 2010 at the earliest. IETA, speaking for BUSINESS AND 
INDUSTRY, underscored procedural problems with JI Track 2 projects. József 
Feiler (Hungary) and William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu Ghana) will co-chair a contact 
group.

SECOND REVIEW OF THE PROTOCOL UNDER ARTICLE 9 - SCOPE AND CONTENT: The 
Secretariat introduced this issue (FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/MISC.1, Adds.1-2, and 
Inf.1) and President Witoelar said a successful outcome was essential for the 
Bali conference. Many developed countries supported a comprehensive review, 
while many developing countries underscored implementation of Annex I 
commitments. 

Many parties identified adaptation, the CDM, and adequacy of the Protocol to 
fulfill the Convention's ultimate objective as the issues to be addressed, and 
also highlighted the IPCC AR4. NORWAY underscored carbon capture and storage, 
bunker fuels and solar energy. The EU stressed carbon markets, LULUCF and 
privileges and immunities. TANZANIA emphasized technology transfer. CHINA said 
the review should not be an opportunity to rewrite the Protocol. NEW ZEALAND 
underscored new knowledge since the Protocol was drafted. ETHIOPIA highlighted 
incentives for clean energy sources. INDIA emphasized capacity building that 
have not replaced an existing source. EGYPT underlined adaptation to response 
measures. ARGENTINA underscored emissions from deforestation. A contact group 
will be co-chaired by Raphael Azeredo (Brazil) and Adrian Macey (New Zealand).

COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE: Committee Co-Chair Raúl Estrada Oyuela (Argentina) 
presented the report of the Compliance Committee (FCCC/KP/CMP2007/6). Denis 
Langlois (Canada) and Eric Mugurusi (Tanzania) will chair a contact group.

OTHER MATTERS: Proposal from Belarus on implementing the amendment to Protocol 
Annex B: BELARUS proposed steps to move ahead with the "legitimization" of its 
participation in the first commitment period in parallel with the ratification 
process for the amendment adding Belarus to Annex B (FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/7). The 
RUSSIAN FEDERATION and UKRAINE supported this, while the EU noted legal and 
practical difficulties. Mark Berman (Canada) will consult informally.

Russian proposal: Delegates reflected on a workshop held during SB 26 
(FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/INF.2, MISC.2 & Adds. 1-2). The EU, BELARUS and other Annex I 
parties praised the Russian proposal, as did CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK, who added 
that Annex B parties must not backtrack on quantified commitments. CANADA said 
the proposal's Convention "track" could potentially be part of the Bali 
roadmap. AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND and JAPAN noted links to the review of the 
Protocol under Article 9. However, INDIA and SAUDI ARABIA opposed further 
consideration of this issue. Djismun Kasri (Indonesia) will hold informal 
consultations.

SBI

CAPACITY BUILDING UNDER THE PROTOCOL: Developing countries: The Secretariat 
introduced the issue (FCCC/SBI/2007/25 and MISC.8). Helmut Hojesky (Austria) 
and Crispin d'Auvergne (Saint Lucia) will co-chair a contact group.  

Economies in transition: The Secretariat introduced this issue 
(FCCC/SBI/2007/18 and MISC.9). Vlad Trusca (Romania) and Helmut Hojesky 
(Austria) will hold consultations.  

INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY ANNEX I PARTIES TO THE PROTOCOL: Compilation and 
synthesis of supplementary information in fourth national communications: The 
Secretariat introduced this issue (FCCC/SBI/2007/INF.7), and a contact group 
will be co-chaired by Sushma Gera (Canada) and Hongwei Yang (China). 

Review of initial reports and supplementary information in fourth national 
communications: The Secretariat introduced this issue (FCCC/SBI/2007/INF.10), 
and parties agreed to establish a contact group co-chaired by Anke Herold 
(Germany) and Nagmeldin Elhassan (Sudan). 

PROTOCOL ARTICLE 3.14 (ADVERSE EFFECTS): JAPAN and the EU noted overlap between 
this agenda item and the SBSTA item on Protocol Article 2.3, while SAUDI ARABIA 
insisted that these were separate issues. Chair Asadi will consult informally.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION LOG (ITL): The Secretariat introduced this issue 
(FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/5). Zheng Shuang (China) will conduct consultations.

COMPLIANCE: The Secretariat introduced the issue of amending the Protocol to 
make the compliance mechanism legally binding. SAUDI ARABIA urged adopting this 
amendment, while JAPAN said it was not appropriate to try to introduce a 
legally-binding, punitive system, and the EU noted practical difficulties. 
Chair Asadi will hold consultations.

CONTACT GROUPS

ADAPTATION FUND: Co-Chair Uosukainen invited the G-77/China, Japan and the EU 
to present proposals on the establishment, composition and operation of the 
Fund. The G-77/CHINA said the group was committed to the operationalization of 
the Fund in Bali, under the authority of the COP/MOP. JAPAN recommended the GEF 
as the governing body and noted that the COP/MOP would have to authorize a 
memorandum of understanding. She said COP/MOP decisions on these issues were 
prerequisites for addressing rules of procedure. The EU proposed that the 
governing entity be composed of a governing body, a secretariat and trustee. He 
proposed that the World Bank act as the trustee. 

In the afternoon, delegates reconvened informally for the distribution of a 
draft decision prepared by the Co-Chairs and consisting of elements from all 
three papers tabled in the morning. There were some objections to the placement 
of a list of proposed functions and rules of procedure for an Adaptation Fund 
Board in an annex.

AWG WORK PROGRAMME AND TIMETABLE: AWG Chair Charles reported on "useful" 
consultations on the AWG's work programme and timetable. The EU and Bangladesh, 
for the LDCs, welcomed Australia to the AWG and AUSTRALIA expressed support for 
the AWG's previous conclusions.

Stressing the iterative nature of AWG's work programme, the G-77/CHINA 
indicated that if new elements, such as other greenhouse gases, were added for 
the second commitment period, the indicative range for Annex I emissions 
reductions agreed by the AWG in Vienna would need to be upscaled. Underscoring 
social and economic aspects, the EU said this would be too simplistic. 
Highlighting cost implications, NEW ZEALAND called for discussions on post-2012 
rules for LULUCF.

JAPAN and CANADA, opposed by CHINA, proposed linking the AWG and other elements 
of the Bali roadmap. SWITZERLAND suggested reflecting other future processes in 
the AWG's work programme and CANADA proposed coordinating their timeframes. 
JAPAN and the EU highlighted coordination with the second Protocol review under 
Article 9. The G-77/CHINA said work should not be duplicated, but opposed 
formal linkages. AWG Chair Charles will consult informally. 

LONG-TERM COOPERATIVE ACTION UNDER THE CONVENTION: Co-Facilitator Bamsey said 
the objective in Bali was not to reach agreement on the substance of long-term 
cooperation but on the process. He outlined three process options, namely an 
informal Convention process, a formal Convention process, or an integrated 
formal Convention/Protocol process. Co-Facilitator De Wet underscored the need 
for an operational decision on what to negotiate, when, and for how long.

The G-77/CHINA called for the fullest possible implementation of all elements 
of the Convention. JAPAN rejected suggestions that his country wished to scrap 
the Protocol. CANADA proposed that discussion be guided by long-term 
cooperative action. The EU anticipated a Bali roadmap consisting of agreement 
by all parties to engage in a comprehensive negotiating process leading to a 
global post-2012 agreement by 2009, with a twin-track including Convention and 
Protocol elements. AOSIS called for a long-term goal well below a 2°C 
temperature increase. 

The US and BANGLADESH called for the launch of negotiations, with the US 
stressing the need to be specific about their substance. SWITZERLAND proposed 
keeping all options open until ministers arrive. MALAYSIA and INDONESIA 
supported a two-track process and continuing the Dialogue. Delegates will 
continue discussions informally until the next contact group meeting on 8 
December.  

REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM DEFORESTATION: Parties proceeded on the basis of a 
draft COP decision forwarded by SBSTA 26. Several parties called for a more 
ambitious text and prompt action, highlighting degradation and pilot 
activities. BRAZIL, supported by others, called for a more proactive approach, 
inviting parties, in particular Annex I parties, to mobilize resources. The UK, 
for the EU, and NEW ZEALAND, emphasized indicative modalities. Several favored 
flexibility regarding national and sub-national approaches. Ghana, for the 
AFRICAN GROUP, called for a compensation fund for forest maintenance, and COSTA 
RICA, INDIA and others emphasized conservation. The INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF 
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ON CLIMATE CHANGE expressed concern with market-based 
mechanisms, which threaten rights to land and culture. 

Discussions continued in afternoon informals, addressing, inter alia, reference 
to pilot activities and mobilizing resources. 

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: The EU reported on an informal meeting held in the UK to 
find common ground on institutional arrangements of the reconstituted body, 
development of performance indicators, and financing resources. The US, JAPAN, 
CANADA, EU and AUSTRALIA commended the work of EGTT and supported its 
continuation. Co-Chair Shimada presented the bracketed draft decision 
(FCCC/SBSTA/2007/4) forwarded by SB 26 and proposed discussing the three 
outstanding issues before addressing the brackets. Ghana, for the G-77/CHINA, 
underscored SBI's contact group on technology transfer and proposed forwarding 
text dealing with implementation, financial arrangements and review of 
implementation to SBI. AUSTRALIA noted that parties are free to suggest text in 
contact groups, but only SBSTA can forward text to SBI. Consultations will 
continue informally.

IN THE CORRIDORS

"More complicated and hectic than ever," is how one delegate described the 
climate process as Wednesday drew to a close. With the COP, COP/MOP 
<http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop13/> , AWG, SBI and SBSTA completing their 
initial discussions, dozens of agenda items are now set to be taken up in more 
than 30 contact groups and informal negotiations. Many participants were 
complaining about agenda overload and fretting about how they could keep up 
with the many different but in many cases closely-connected discussions. "I'm 
struggling to wrap my head around everything on the table," said one.

Meanwhile, a number of delegates seemed satisfied at least with the initial 
discussions on Wednesday regarding the various elements of the all-important 
post-2012 question, including the Convention Dialogue, AWG, and other aspects 
such as the Review under Protocol Article 9 and the Russian proposal. "I'm 
still not sure how this will all come together, though," noted one veteran.

This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin © <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> is written 
and edited by Peter Doran, Ph.D., María Gutiérrez, Ph.D., Kati Kulovesi, Miquel 
Muñoz, Ph.D., and Chris Spence. The Digital Editor is Leila Mead. The Editor is 
Pamela S. Chasek, Ph.D. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> and the Director of IISD Reporting 
Services is Langston James "Kimo" Goree VI <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. The Sustaining 
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International Development - DFID), the Government of the United States of 
America (through the Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International 
Environmental and Scientific Affairs), the Government of Canada (through CIDA), 
the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Germany (through the 
German Federal Ministry of Environment - BMU, and the German Federal Ministry 
of Development Cooperation - BMZ), the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 
the European Commission (DG-ENV), the Italian Ministry for the Environment, 
Land and Sea, and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). General 
Support for the Bulletin during 2007 is provided by the Norwegian Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, the Government of Australia, 
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Management, the Ministry of Environment of Sweden, the New Zealand Ministry of 
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