Briefings from Bonn-5

Parties Discussed About Issues but of no Concrete Results

AWGKP Contact group on other issues¹

According to the draft text on Agenda item 3 (c ) and 3 (d) ² , the AWGKP continued its work on means that may be available to Annex 1 parties to meet emission reduction targets, and sustainable development, as espoused under the Convention. According to the above mentioned Draft Text, the parties deliberated upon the paragraphs 1 and 2. The parties discussed about the possible approaches to emission targets. The various issues included within it involve sectoral emissions, types of approaches to sectoral emissions, bottom up approach to sectoral emission reduction targets for the Annex parties, adequate provisions to secure that the sectoral targeting of emissions will not be an impediment to the existing international trade dynamics. Apart from this the other issues like approaches to enhanced financial mechanism for technology, scope of emissions reductions from the bunker fuels are also discussed. Most of the issues are being referred for further discussion at the upcoming Ghana meet. While the developed countries kept on pouring with various suggestions, the core agenda is to modify the Bali Agenda. The developing countries unequivocally put forward the fact that the discussions should be based on Bali and the parties must adhere to the same.

Contact Group on AWG emissions trading and the project based mechanisms³

The Contact group met and discussed a possible list of items, which included modification, and scope of the CDM, LULUCF activities, and introduction of a cap for eligible emissions. Carbon dioxide capture and storage, sectoral CDM, and opposition to the proposal of nuclear activities were also discussed. The parties considered issues related to institutional matters, transparency of the Executive Board, project based best practices, clarity of role of the secretariat, neutrality of operation of the secretariat, improvement of support and management for the secretariat were some of the issues discussed at the discussion.

Draft Text released by AWG-LCA on Agenda Item 3

The chair of AWG-LCA Contact Group initiated the meeting today on Agenda item 3 with a request to focus on nature of submission to be made by the parties rather than on the subject issue. A draft text⁴ was issued by the chair on the conclusions of AWG-LCA discussion on agenda item 3 at its second session. He mentioned that over the series of meetings in SB-28 in the past few days, the parties discussed a very broad range of issues related to five elements of Bali Action Plan. To streamline this work, he asked the parties to submit specific textual proposals on 5 elements of Bali Action Plan (BAP) and also submit ideas and proposals for the workshop to be held this year. However, no deadlines were decided for these submissions. These submissions will be collated into a miscellaneous document and will be uploaded on UNFCCC website. UNFCCC secretariat will also be preparing a list of topics for technical papers for clarifying the issues given in Bali Action Plan. Clarifications were sought by various delegations about the meaning of specific textual proposal as given in paragraph 2 of drafty text and its distinction from paragraph 3 of the draft text, whether submission should carry proposal on all five elements or some of them and the timeframe within which the submissions have to made. The chair clarified that parties have to submit specific text having concrete suggestions about the five elements of BAP without limiting itself to the five elements of BAP. Further, the proposal may be made on all r any of the five elements of BAP. Philippines suggested that parties be invited to make submissions on specific topics for making the negotiations more focused. The chair explained though it is desirable such a procedure will not be feasible due to capacity constraints of some countries and the varying significance of issues between countries. The parties came up with proposals on various issues. The Bonn talks are now dependant on the informal group meetings of the parties to come up with step forward for future. However, it is very unlikely that they might be able to come up with. What is evident is that everybody starts countdown for the Ghana talk to have some concrete developments towards the ultimate goal.

Side Event on Adaptation to Climate Change by GERMANWATCH

The event focused on discussion on key issues and approaches to adaptation in an equitable post-2012 agreement. Presentation were made on linkages of adaptation with other elements of Bali Action Plan, focus on vulnerable groups, financing options and risk assessment strategy. It was stated that there is a need of urgency for scaling up of fund for adaptation and both developed and developing countries take specific commitments keeping in view the principle of common but differential responsibilities. However, these commitments will be voluntary and therefore not binding. Furtherance to this, it was mentioned that though developed countries key task will be to procure additional resources post 2012 framework, it is important that developing countries demonstrate their ability to manage such fund, have exchange of information on community based practices and should ensure funding to vulnerable groups. Human rights based approach was suggested for adaptation policies at national level. Emphasis was laid on the importance of this approach in meeting the Millennium Development Goal 1 of poverty reduction by focus on most vulnerable groups by maximum use of existing resources. A brief presentation was also made on Insurance instruments for adapting.

Centad Team                                                                 10 June 2008