TWN Update No. 25: UNFCCC scientific body decides on key issues

7/28/2019 TWN Update No. 25: UNFCCC scientific body decides on key issues

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UNFCCC scientific body decides on key issues

Bonn, 17 June (Hilary Chiew) The 38 th session ofthe Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological

Advice (SBSTA) closed on 14 June with Partiesadopting conclusions on all agenda items except forthree that were stalled due to the failure of theSubsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) to launch

its work caused by the impasse in adopting itsagenda item.

(SBSTA and SBI are the subsidiary bodies of theUN Framework Convention on Climate Change.See TWN Bonn Climate News Update No. 17 onthe SBI paralysis: SBI process in crisis; unable tolaunch work.)

Nineteen conclusions were adopted from work thatwas launched on 3 June when the SBSTA sessionwas opened in Bonn. Some key issues which were

discussed included developed country mitigation;guidelines for domestically supported mitigationactions of developing countries; agriculture;framework for various approaches, includingmarkets and non-market approaches; internationalaviation and maritime emissions; adaptation relatedmatters etc.

The Like Minded Developing Countries in ClimateChange called on Parties to learn from the failedexperiment of carbon markets, in order to ensurethat market mechanisms do not become the focus

of mitigation efforts, which shift the responsibilityfor reducing emissions from developed todeveloping countries.

One issue that remained contentious was that ofagriculture, with many developing countriesstressing that future work on this issue shouldremain focused on adaptation only and not includemitigation, as millions in the developing countriesdepend for their livelihoods on subsistenceagriculture and continue to struggle for food

security, whereas in developed countries theagricultural sector is supported by heavily distortiveagricultural subsidies. Developed countries havebeen stressing the importance of agriculture on

mitigation. The conclusion reached agreed to focuson agriculture in the context of adaptation.

On international aviation and maritime transportemissions, developing countries expressed concernand dismay that the UNFCCC was unable toprovide guidance to the International Civil Aviation

Organisation (ICAO) and International MaritimeOrganisation (IMO) on how the principles of theConvention, in particular common butdifferentiated responsibilities (CBDR), can beobserved in addressing such emissions.

Three agenda items which are joined with the SBIand did not have any conclusions for adoption are:(i) coordination of support for the implementationof activities in relation to mitigation actions in theforest sector by developing countries, including

institutional arrangements; (ii) forum and workprogramme on the impact of the implementation ofresponse measures; and (iii) the 2013-2015 Review.

Developing country Parties, through the Group of77 and China (G77 and China) expressed theirdisappointment and deep concern at the inability ofthe SBI to begin the work of its 38 th session willprofoundly impact the progress of SBSTA. Theycalled on the Chair of the SBI, relevant bodiesunder the Convention and Parties to resolve thisimpasse prior to the start of the 39 th session of the

SBI in November.

The Group said Parties need to be conscious of thefact that progress of work in SBSTA is importantfor progress in the post-2020 period and for the

work in the Ad Hoc Working Group on theDurban Platform on Enhanced Action under theConvention (ADP).

Fiji speaking for the G77 and China drewattention to agenda items where conclusions havemandated further workshops, stressing that Parties

must ensure to the extent possible, balancedrepresentation to ensure effective participation ofdeveloping country Parties in such workshops.


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These workshops must be opened to all Parties andscheduled to avoid undue overlaps, particularly withrespect to country group meetings. Theorganization of such workshops must provide thenecessary support to ensure effective participationof developing country Parties. The workshopsshould allow for expression of a range of views to

ensure that developing countries' perspectives arereflected, adding that Parties should be informedahead of time of the themes to be dealt with inthese workshops to ensure transparency, opennessand inclusiveness.

The Group welcomed the reconsideration of thework areas of the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP)on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climatechange. It wants a more relevant and effective workprogramme to be launched by moving beyond

partnerships and taking concrete adaptation actionon to the ground, so far which is missing. TheGroup also expects that after receiving Parties'submissions, technical paper and recommendationsof the Adaptation Committee, SBSTA at its 39thsession could agree on draft decisions on NWP foradoption at the COP 19 (19th meeting of theUNFCCC Conference of Parties) in Warsaw.

On the agenda for policy approaches and policyincentives for reducing emissions fromdeforestation and forest degradation and the role of

conservation, sustainable management of forestsand enhancement of forest carbon stocks indeveloping countries (REDD-plus), the Group ispleased to see the progress achieved onmethodological issues and the identification of the

way forward on some of its most sensitive elements.It is also pleased with the recognition that non-market-based approaches are important toimplement the REDD-plus activities.

However, the failure to open the work of the SBI

meant that the joint process on coordination ofsupport and institutional arrangements for REDD-plus under agenda item 5 could not go further thana workshop, as we had hoped to, said Fiji. Thedirect consequence is that this session did notaddress properly the priorities of developingcountries with regard to this matter, namely, scalingup finance and increasing the coordination of itsdelivery. This unbalance must be corrected in ourfollowing session, and we respectfully request thisto be addressed in the organization of our work in

Warsaw.On Research and Systematic Observation, the G77and China reiterated its support for the researchdialogue and recognizes its contribution in

enhancing communication between the sciencecommunities and policy makers, thanking the IPCC(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) andresearch organisations for their participation in therecent research dialogue. It welcomed the workshopto consider information on the technical andscientific aspects of coastal marine ecosystems.

These workshops are important to discuss updatedinformation on emerging scientific findings. Itcommended the work done on the UNFCCC

website in enhancing the availability and visibility ofscientific information produced by the internationaland regional research programmes andorganisations under the Convention.

The Group reaffirmed the importance of the forumon the impact of the implementation of responsemeasures by developed countries at the Subsidiary

Bodies and its work programme to address theseimpacts. In particular, it welcomed the activities thattook place in these sessions in the areas of the workprogram related to the assessment of impacts; thejust transition of the workforce; economicdiversification; and modelling. In addition, asmandated by decision 1.CP/18 (decisions fromCOP 18 in Doha), the Goup also look forward tosharing views in the forum on policy issues ofconcern, such as unilateral measures, adding that thefocus of the next activities of the forum should

address specifically how developed country Partiesare minimizing the adverse economic and socialeffects of their response measures on developingcountry Parties.

As for agriculture, Fiji noted that the Group hasbeen so cooperative in the constructive work duringthis very session that led to an instrumental set ofconclusions. Such conclusions reflect theparticularities of agriculture, in terms of its relationto food security and the fundamental importance ofagriculture for social and economic development

and rural development, in particular for developingcountries, where a large proportion of thepopulation depends on agriculture for its livelihood.In a context of the need to feed a world growingpopulation in the coming decades, there will be aneed to produce food in different climateconditions. To this end, it will be necessary toincrease the adaptive capacity of agriculture. Hence,the need to work on adaptation and agriculture iscrucial, a fact that needs to be reflected in theforthcoming submissions and a workshop to

explore the needs of survival and sustainabledevelopment for all related activities involvingfarmers in our developing countries.


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The G77 and China also stressed that the focus ofdiscussions must remain on adaptation, which is thekey priority in developing countries in light of thelinkages of agricultural sector with livelihood ofmillions, food security and poverty alleviation, inline with the principles of the Convention, includingCBDR.

The Group reiterated the importance of supportingmultilateral solutions when addressing the issue ofemissions from the international maritime and civilaviation sectors working through the InternationalMaritime Organization (IMO) and InternationalCivil Aviation Organization (ICAO), respectively,

while taking into account the principles andprovisions of the Convention and not on the basisof unilateral measures.

On the framework for various approaches (FVA),

the Group agreed that it is important that the workprogramme defines and clarifies the purpose of theframework and the scope of approaches to beincluded under it, and that the framework should beelaborated under the authority and guidance of theCOP. It looked forward to continue engagingconstructively in the design of the FVA, new-market mechanism and non-market-basedapproaches. Also, the Group recognizes that non-market-bases approaches are means of crucialimportance to ensure the implementation of the

ultimate objective of the Convention, according toits principles and provisions. It emphasized that thediscussions on new market mechanism and non-market mechanisms must be framed in the contextof the FVA. These mechanisms should focus onclimate change and not become a mere source ofrevenue.

The G77 and China appreciated the progress on theclarification of developed country Parties' emissionreduction targets as mandated in Doha, although

the progress is not as significant as desired as it hashigh expectation of the fulfilment of the mandatewith a view to ensuring the comparability of effortsamong developed country Parties.

Algeria for the Like Minded DevelopingCountries in Climate Change (LMDC)

welcomed the reconsideration of the work underthe NWP initiated at this session as it is importantin moving the work programme towards supportingoperational and concrete adaptation action indeveloping countries. On REDD-plus, the progress

achieved on methodological issues and theidentification of the way forward on some of itsmost sensitive elements was welcomed. On this andon forest-related issues in general, the group,

however, would like to see the process movingforward in achieving consensus on the importantrole of non-market mechanisms and on using a jointmitigation and adaptation approach for thesemechanisms.

Regarding the work of the forum on the impact of

the implementation of response measures, thegroup said the discussions on the assessment ofimpacts; the just transition of the workforce;economic diversification; modelling; and unilateralmeasures, were all very useful and illuminating, andshould be kept up. As this issue is of greatimportance, the forum at Warsaw and beyondshould address specifically how developed countryParties are minimizing the adverse economic andsocial effects of their response measures ondeveloping country Parties, particularly unilateral

measures.On agriculture, Algeria said that the highimportance that the LMDC attaches to the role ofagriculture in ensuring food security and social andeconomic development in our developing countries

was the foundation for our active engagement onthis issue. The workshop on this issue in Warsawmust address the critical adaptation needs ofdeveloping countries in agriculture. Supporting theG77 and China, it said presenters to this workshopmust reflect the proper balance in representation

between Annex 1 and developing countries. Itshould then result in strengthening our multilateralefforts under the Convention in addressing theseneeds effectively.

It further said that the focus of our futurediscussions and negotiations on agriculture must beon ensuring that effective adaptation is supportedand takes place under the principles of theConvention, particularly CBDR, to ensure thatagricultural production, food security and

livelihoods in developing countries can be enhanceddespite climate change. Our future work on thisissue should remain focused on adaptation only andnot include mitigation as millions in the developingcountries depend for their livelihoods onsubsistence agriculture and continue to struggle forfood security, whereas in developed countries theagricultural sector is supported by heavily distortiveagricultural subsidies.

On international aviation and maritime transportemissions, the lack of movement on this issue

deeply concern the LMDC because the UNFCCC,through the SBSTA, is the multilateral treaty that isduly mandated to provide guidance to ICAO andIMO on how the principles and provisions of the


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Convention, in particular CBDR, can be observedin addressing such emissions. The group stressedthat work that may be done at the ICAO and IMOon this issue, particularly on a framework formarket-based measures, should reflect the principlesof the UNFCCC, in particular CBDR. That workshould also not result in the imposition of unilateral

measures, should be voluntary and mutually agreed,and not prejudge the principles and provisions ofthe Convention. Market-based measures should bebased on mutual consent.

According to the LMDC, as the Convention isbased upon non-market-based approaches,therefore they must be incorporated into theframework of various approaches in acomprehensive manner. These approaches are atthe core of how the objective of the Convention is

to be achieved, according to its principles andprovisions. It stressed that the discussions on newmarket mechanism and non-market mechanismsmust be framed in the context of framework of

various approaches and must progress in a balancedmanner.

It added that the focus of our discussions undervarious approaches should be on non-marketapproaches in order to preserve the environmentalintegrity of the Convention. In this context, wecontinue to question the need for and utility of a

new market-based mechanism given the prevalentlow levels of Annex 1 mitigation ambition and thepoor state of CDM (Clean DevelopmentMechanism) market. We need to learn from thefailed experiment of carbon markets, in order toensure that market mechanisms do not become thefocus of our mitigation efforts, and thereby shiftingin the process the responsibility for reducingemissions from developed to developing countriescontrary to the Convention. Furthermore, theLMDC believed that Annex 1 Parties under the

Convention who have not taken legally bindingeconomy-wide quantified emission reduction andlimitation targets should not be allowed access toany new market mechanisms that may ultimately bedeveloped.

The Group reminded that in Doha (COP 18), it haddemanded that Annex 1 Parties in the KP mustraise their ambition levels to 40-50% below 1990levels with other Annex 1 Parties taking comparablecommitments, adding that only then would the

emission gap be addressed. This work programmemust deliver on establishing comparability ofmitigation commitments among developedcountries through, inter alia, development of

common accounting rules with respect to theirmitigation commitments.

On the 2013-2015 Review, the Group welcomedthe start of activities under the Structured ExpertDialogue. It was disappointed, however, that due toprocedural battles in the SBI, the Joint Contact

Group for Review could not meet at this session. Ithoped Parties can recover some of the lost groundin Warsaw, stressing that the conduct of the Reviewmust be balanced, focusing equally on both theassessment of the adequacy of the 2C goal as wellas the implementation of commitments under theConvention. Having a clear view of the gaps in theimplementation of commitments under theConvention is the basis for determining whether ornot the 2C goal is adequate for purposes ofachieving the objective of the Convention which

will be crucial to our work in the ADP, it said.Swaziland, representing the African Group,

welcomed progress in issues dear to the group.Describing the progress in the agriculture issue as abreakthrough after five years of stalemate, it said theGroup is ready to submit its views on enhancingadaptation of agriculture to climate change impacts.On the NWP, it welcomed the call for theSecretariat to prepare a technical paper on bestpractices and available tools for the use ofindigenous and traditional knowledge for adaptation

and the application of gender-sensitive approachesbefore the 39th SBSTA leading to a technical expertmeeting before the 40th SBSTA.

It is satisfied with the progress in themethodological guidance for REDD-plus in termsof modalities for national forest monitoring systemsand hoped for good conclusion on the modalitiesfor measuring, reporting and verifying (MRV); andguidelines and procedures for the technicalassessment of submission from Parties on proposed

forest reference emission levels and/or forestreference levels . It cautioned that withoutcoordination of support for the implementation ofREDD-plus activities, efforts of REDD-plus will befutile.

Nepal, representing the Least DevelopedCountries (LDCs), said unlike SBSTA, the Groupis extremely disappointed that we did not makeparallel progress in the SBI, as many issues areinterlinked.

Welcoming progress in the NWP, it pointed outthat it should not be just a talk shop andinformation gathering process but real delving onthe ground in the LDCs. On REDD-plus, it saidthere are significant challenges in addressing drivers


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of deforestation which are complex, calling ondonor agencies to pay attention to LDCs which canfall victim to leakage (referring to drivers ofdeforestation moving to areas not covered by theREDD-plus mechanism).

On agriculture, it was disappointed that some

Parties made it unduly complicated and introducedconcept that is beyond SBSTA with significantimplications. It looked forward to presenting viewsin the upcoming submission and the in-session

workshop in Warsaw.

Nepal stressed that LDCs still struggled tounderstand FVA, unsure if we have created amonster or a tool box, adding that the Grouplooked forward to all the three workshops plannedunder the agenda item of market and non-marketmechanism. It said a pre-sessional workshop before

Warsaw is preferred to ensure full participation ofLDCs.

Nauru speaking for the Alliance of Small IslandStates (AOSIS) said with warming of less than 1C,communities in our islands are experiencingintensified storms, droughts, sea level rise and otherlife-altering climate impacts. Therefore, it said the2013-2015 Review is a critical priority for AOSIS asglobal average rise must be limited to below 1.5Cabove pre-industrial levels.

Considerable work remains and must be expeditedto complete the review by 2015, adding that the1.5C goal can still be achieved cost-effectively ifthe joint SBI-SBSTA contact group on this issue,

with the assistance of the Structured ExpertDialogue (SED), deliver conclusions that lead toimmediate implementation of the actions required.It stressed that the Review must be based on thebest, the latest and the most relevant science andmust ultimately consider the relevant impacts andrisks at different levels of warming to key sectors

and systems, with a focus on particularly vulnerablecountries such as small island developing states(SIDS) and LDCs.

Nauru said that in Warsaw, AOSIS expects toquickly complete the initial work on clearly definingthe roles of the Joint Contact Group and SED inthe Review and agreeing to an initial Programme of

Work for the Review that will place us on scheduleto complete our work in a timely manner taking intoaccount the present delay.

On the development of transfer of technologies andimplementation of the technology mechanism,

AOSIS is of the view that the special circumstanceof the SIDS be addressed by the new bodies and

that we are perfectly situated for the technologies tobe introduced.

It welcomed the progress made in the workprogramme on clarifying the quantified economy-

wide emission reduction targets of developedcountry Parties. It looked forward to building on

this constructive start when we continue discussionsunder this work programme at the next SBSTAsession.

AOSIS also recognised the important role ofscience in shaping and supporting the work of theConvention and reiterate our support for theresearch dialogue and the important role the forumplays in sharing information and views on researchneeds and priorities in this context. Regardingrelevant capacity building activities, it would like tosee broader participation of scientists active in

climate change research in their region to presenttheir work at the research dialogue, adding that theirparticipation can provide visibility for the ongoing

work within their region. It looked forward to theup-coming SBSTA workshops to considerinformation on the technical and scientific aspectsof coastal marine ecosystems. It is imperative thatthe Workshop and the discussions not only focuson the potential carbon benefits to be derived fromthese ecosystems, but also the threats they faceresulting from global warming, sea level rise and

ocean acidification, stressed Nauru.

On methodological issues under the KP, AOSISviewed it as essential that the new tools agreed inDoha to ensure the environmental integrity of

Annex 1 Party commitments be applied as intended.These tools include the application of new Article3.7ter to each Partys emissions budgets for thesecond commitment period (2CP), restrictions oncarry-over to Parties with Annex B quantifiedeconomy-wide emission limitation and reduction

objectives (QELROs) through the establishment ofprevious period surplus reserves, and newprovisions on eligibility.

Importantly, said Nauru, we have also agreed on amechanism to ratchet up mitigation ambition duringthe course of the 2CP. AOSIS looked forward toengaging in further discussions on the operationalimplications of these newly-agreed tools over thecoming months so that any ambiguities related tothe application of these rules to each Party can beclarified in a transparent way.

It added that AOSIS is of the view that clarifying atthe outset the purpose and scope of the FVA willbe essential in gaining the confidence of all Partiesbefore progressing to the details of how such a


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framework might be implemented. We believe thatany such framework should be elaborated under theConvention, be applied under the guidance andauthority of the COP, and be designed to ensure theenvironmental integrity of mitigation effortsthrough application of a robust, internationally-agreed, transparent set of common accounting rules.

It should ensure that we do not double countemission reduction efforts or finance used towardConvention commitments.

On market and non-market based approaches, itlooked forward to engaging on the questionsidentified at this session. It will be important toexplore how the new market mechanism canbroaden participation while taking us beyondoffsetting to substantial net emission reductions andhow certain non-market based mechanisms can

target areas in which market-based approaches haveproven problematic. AOSIS believed thatsubsequent research dialogues and workshopsshould take into consideration the experiences fromsmall islands States and low-lying states.

Egypt for the Arab Group welcomed the clearsteps for the NWP and support for adaptation. OnREDD-plus, it wanted to see further developmentof non-market-based approaches as well as jointmitigation and adaptation for the forest-relatedmechanism.

It welcomed the call for submissions from Partieson views to enhance the adaptation capacities ofagriculture and an in-session workshop in Warsaw,reflecting Parties conviction of the vitality of thesector which directly affect food security and themillions of lives dependent on it.

On the impacts of the implementation of responsemeasures, the Group attached great importance tothe forum and work programme as it is directlyrelated to the workforce and the challenges of

economic diversification and would like to seecontinued work in the forum at Warsaw.

On reducing emissions from the activities of civilaviation and maritime, the Group reiterated that theUNFCCC principles including CBDR must beapplied and instruct the ICAO and the IMO. It also

wondered about the need for the new market-basedmechanism in view of the low emission reductionambition of Annex 1 Parties, adding that the Grouphad asked Annex 1 Parties for an increase ofambition to 50% cut from the base year of 1990 butthere was no response so far. It agreed with otherParties which preferred the non-market-basedapproaches. It also regretted that the Joint Contact

Group for the 2012-2015 Review could not belaunched due to the procedural problem in the SBI.

Speaking for 29 of the 52-member Coalition forRainforest Nation, Papua New Guinea

welcomed the progress made on the outstandingissues on methodological guidance for REDD-plus

which is important to prepare for theimplementation of REDD-plus actions on theground but these will not start until adequate andpredictable finance and technical support isprovided to developing country Parties. It expectedthe same amount of time to be allocated to financialresources issues in Warsaw.

The Coalition was of the view that REDD-plusmerits an adequate and ad hoc governance structureto fill the existing gaps in accessing finance.

Towards this end, it said a REDD-plus Committee

should be established by COP19 to work under theauthority of the COP.

PNG said that on the issues of coastal marineecosystems (CMEs) under research and systematicobservation, a fruitful and frank discussion tookplace among Parties on the contents of the

workshop on technical and scientific aspects ofecosystems with high-carbon reservoirs such ascoastal marine ecosystems. We are therefore lookingforward to engage with all Parties in this event so

that the potential for adaptation and mitigation byCMEs is properly quantified.

On various approaches, it said that small steps havebeen taken here in Bonn, and progress is needed onmany different issues in order to be able to fulfil themandate received in Doha. We believe the newmarket based mechanism should recognise the roleof REDD-plus and we therefore ask for amechanism that can provide a concrete solution tothe fight against climate change both in the short(pre-2020) and longer term.

Costa Rica for the Central American IntegratedSystem( SICA) said progress in the NWP willcomplement our own domestic initiatives toincrease resilience towards climate change andpriority is to strengthen the mechanism tostreamline access to technological knowledge,including ancestral knowledge held by our people. Itsaid Warsaw needs to give focus to the issue of lossand damage. It noted the progress in agriculture

which underscored the urgency needed to addressfood security. On REDD-plus, the group said it hadto be developed with priority given to nationalcircumstance and fully in line with needs ofindividual countries.


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In reference to the deadlock in the 38th SBI, theEuropean Union noted that the work of both theSBI and SBSTA underpin the progress of theConvention and the ADP in advancing the task ofaddressing climate change.

It welcomed the progress made in NWP,

agriculture, market and non-market mechanism,REDD-plus and the work programme on quantifiedeconomic-wide emission reduction targets (QERTs)of Annex 1 Parties but regreted that the Jointcontact group on SED could not be established.

Australia for the Umbrella Group welcomed thework on QERTs and looked forward to the work ofthe general guidelines for domestic MRV ofdomestically supported nationally appropriatemitigation actions (NAMAs of developingcountries) which is equally important. It appreciated

the spirit of compromise and looked forward toworking constructively with all at Warsaw.

On REDD-plus, the group welcomed the decisiontext on four aspects and looked forward to the work

with the same drive to reach agreement in Warsaw.It was pleased with the advancement of the NWP,adding that both market and non-marketmechanisms are tools for realising the potential of

various approaches, and that Parties should use thesubmission process to continue the work in these

agenda items.The Republic of Korea for the EnvironmentalIntegrity Group (EIG) said its members are in theprocess of preparing or implementing domesticmeasures through market-based mechanism and

welcomed the workshops for FVA, non-market-based approaches and new market-basedmechanism to promote understanding of these cost-effective tools for the pre-2020 and post-2020agreements. It was glad that after three years ofdiscussion, Parties finally have something tangible

on agriculture and that the workshop will allowParties to get into substantive discussion on thisitem. It is optimistic that the financing modalitiesfor REDD-plus is within grasp at Warsaw.

Parties also made separate independent statementson specific issues as SBSTAs Chair RichardMuyungi (Tanzania) went through the adoptionprocess of the draft conclusions on the variousagenda items.

On REDD-plus, Tuvalu questioned the ambiguous

sentence linking livelihood to drivers ofdeforestation. It was of the view that the sentenceshould not be interpreted that indigenous peoplesare the drivers of deforestation. On the contrary,

they might be the victims of deforestation anddegradation. It believed this ambiguity needed to berevisited and deleted at COP19.

The sentence was found in one of the three draftdecisions of the Methodological guidance foractivities related to REDD-plus. In the document

FCCC/SBSTA/2013/L.12/Add.3, a preambularparagraph reads: Noting that livelihoods may bedependent on activities related to drivers of deforestation and

forest degradation and that addressing these drivers mayhave an economic cost and implications for domestic resources;

Tuvalu was supported by the Philippines and theUmbrella Group.

A representative from the Indigenous PeoplesForum on Climate Change who was invited to

make a statement, expressed concern that the termlivelihood in the controversial preambularparagraph implied that traditional livelihood may bea driver of deforestation. He said indigenouspeoples had demonstrated that their livelihood hadno link to drivers of deforestation. In fact, theycontributed to both adaptation and mitigation,adding that livelihood activities of the indigenouscommunities should be acknowledged as part of thesolution and not the problem to climate change. Hefurther noted that the right to food for the

indigenous peoples must be ensured in the REDD-plus mechanism and should be subjected to theprinciple of free, prior, informed consent, and thattraditional knowledge and customary practices ofindigenous peoples must be supported. States mustdemonstrate commitment and respect safeguards inall stage of the implementation of REDD-plusactivities.

On emissions from fuel used for internationalaviation and maritime transport, India expresseddismay, saying that the lack of movement in this

agenda item is a source of serious concern. It wasdisappointed that the UNFCCC cannot send anyguidance to ICAO and IMO in their respective

work. It said it is important that the two specialisedagencies take into account fully the principle ofCBDR. It further said negotiations in these twoorganisations, particularly on market-basedmechanism and unilateral measure under the guiseof shipping and aviation, should not prejudge the

work of SBSTA. India wanted its statement to berecorded in the report of the session.

On agriculture, the Philippines stressed that wemust ensure balanced representation to ensureeffective participation of all Parties in the

workshops. These workshops must be opened to all


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Parties, and be held back-to-back or in-session withthe formal sessions and scheduled to avoid undueoverlaps, particularly with respect to country grouppre-sessional meetings and the necessary support toensure full participation of developing countryParties must be provided. The organization of such

workshops must take into account balanced

treatment of issues with respect to determination ofthemes as well as reflect such balance in theselection of presenters and panelists. Parties shouldbe informed of the themes to be dealt with in these

workshops to ensure transparency, openness andinclusiveness. It too requested that its interventionbe recorded in the report of the session.

It was supported byUruguay, Malawi speaking forthe African Group, Egypt for G77 and China, as

well asVenezuela.

To this, Muyungi said fortunately the workshop willbe an in-session one and hoped all Parties will beable to participate.

On the 2013-2015 Review, the Philippinesreiterated its concerns with regards to the conductof workshops and the importance to ensuremeaningful participation and balancedrepresentation, adding a request for the interventionto be recorded.

Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua and India

supported this statement.

The Philippines underlined a specific concern onthe draft biennium budget that appeared devoted toactivities, including capacity building activities likeregional workshop on promoting internationalcollaboration to facilitate preparation, submissionand implementation of NAMAs; and other activitiesunder the Durban Platform, some of which havenot yet been fully agreed. It hoped that budgetdiscussions under the SBI in Warsaw would ensurebalance in financing for all important ongoing workunder the Convention, including SBSTA.

In the civil society intervention, Friends of theEarth England, Wales and Northern Ireland

(FOE-EWNI), a member of Climate JusticeNow! said developed countries have, to theirshame, blocked a focus on comparability and triedto insert yet another discussion on markets andoffsetting in its place. He said the SBSTA workprogramme was supposed to ensure that Annex 1Parties targets had comparability, or in the words of

the Convention that they were making equitableand adequate contributions yet we know they aredoing neither. It builds no confidence thatdeveloped countries talked about ambition andleadership in the ADP and yet shirk theirresponsibilities to lead.

Instead, they push to create new markets under theConvention when in the real world, we have seennothing but failure from carbon markets. It is timeto learn that emissions trading is not an effective

tool to address climate change and move on to realsolutions such as carbon taxes, said the FOE-EWNI speaker.

He expressed great concern that the conclusion onREDD-plus not only threatens the rights of forestpeoples, but the push to link REDD-plus to newmarkets under the Convention shows that this is amechanism bound to fail. We would like it to benoted that we fully support the earlier interventionmade by the indigenous peoples caucus on thismatter.

He further said that impacts of climate change onfood security remain an overwhelming concern forour communities across the planet: weather patternsare already changing, and our livelihoods are alreadythreatened by climate change. While we lookforward to contributing our knowledge on theimportance of ecological agriculture for adaptationat the Warsaw workshop on agriculture, we mustemphasise that the best way to ensure foodproduction is not threatened by climate change is

deep emission cuts now.

TWN Update No. 25: UNFCCC scientific body decides on key issues

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