Advance Unedited Version Decision /cp.13 Reducing Emissions From ...
Advance unedited version
Decision -/CP.13
Reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries:
approaches to stimulate action
The Conference of the Parties
Recalling the relevant provisions of the Convention, in particular Article 2, Article 3, paragraphs
1, 3 and 4, and Article 4, paragraphs 1(a)–(d), 3, 5 and 7,
Acknowledging the contribution of the emissions from deforestation to global anthropogenic
greenhouse gas emissions,
Acknowledging that forest degradation also leads to emissions, and needs to be addressed when
reducing emissions from deforestation,
Recognizing that efforts and actions to reduce deforestation and to maintain and conserve forest
carbon stocks in developing countries are already being taken,
Recognizing the complexity of the problem, different national circumstances and the multiple
drivers of deforestation and forest degradation,
Recognizing the potential role of further actions to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation in developing countries in helping to meet the ultimate objective of the Convention,
Affirming the urgent need to take further meaningful action to reduce emissions from
deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries,
Noting that sustainable reduction in emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in
developing countries requires stable and predictable availability of resources,
Recognizing that reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing
countries can promote co-benefits and may complement the aims and objectives of other relevant
international conventions and agreements,
Recognizing also that the needs of local and indigenous communities should be addressed when
action is taken to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries,
1.
Invites Parties to further strengthen and support ongoing efforts to reduce emissions from
deforestation and forest degradation on a voluntary basis;
2.
Encourages all Parties, in a position to do so, to support capacity-building, provide
technical assistance, facilitate the transfer of technology to improve, inter alia, data collection, estimation
of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, monitoring and reporting, and address the
institutional needs of developing countries to estimate and reduce emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation;
3.
Further encourages Parties to explore a range of actions, identify options and undertake
efforts, including demonstration activities, to address the drivers of deforestation relevant to their national
circumstances, with a view to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and thus
enhancing forest carbon stocks due to sustainable management of forests;
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4.
Encourages, without prejudice to future decisions of the Conference of the Parties, the
use of the indicative guidance provided in the annex as an aid in undertaking and evaluating the range of
demonstration activities;
5.
Invites Parties, in particular Parties included in Annex II to the Convention, to mobilize
resources to support efforts in relation to the actions referred to in paragraphs 1–3 above;
6.
Encourages the use of the most recent reporting guidelines1 as a basis for reporting
greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, noting also that Parties not included in Annex I to the
Convention are encouraged to apply the Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and
Forestry;2
7.
Requests the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice to undertake a
programme of work on methodological issues related to a range of policy approaches and positive
incentives that aim to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries
noting relevant documents;3 the work should include:
(a)
Inviting Parties to submit, by 21 March 2008, their views on how to address outstanding
methodological issues including, inter alia, assessments of changes in forest cover and associated carbon
stocks and greenhouse gas emissions, incremental changes due to sustainable management of the forest,
demonstration of reductions in emissions from deforestation, including reference emissions levels,
estimation and demonstration of reduction in emissions from forest degradation, implications of national
and subnational approaches including displacement of emissions, options for assessing the effectiveness
of actions in relation to paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 5 above, and criteria for evaluating actions, to be compiled
into a miscellaneous document for consideration at the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological
Advice at its twenty-eighth session;
(b)
Requesting the secretariat, subject to availability of supplementary funding, to organize a
workshop on methodological issues identified in paragraph 7 (a) above, before its twenty-ninth session,
and to prepare a report on the workshop for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and
Technological Advice at that session;
(c)
Advancing the development of methodological approaches, taking into account the
outcome of the workshop referred to in paragraph 7 (b) above at its twenty-ninth session;
8.
Requests the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice to report to the
Conference of the Parties, at its fourteenth session, on the outcomes of the work referred to in paragraphs
7 (a)–(c) above, including any recommendations on possible methodological approaches;
9.
Invites relevant organizations and stakeholders, without prejudice to any future decision
of the Conference of the Parties on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in
developing countries, to support efforts in relation to paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 5 above and to share
outcomes of these efforts with the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice by providing
corresponding information to the secretariat;
10.
Request the secretariat to support, subject to the availability of supplementary funding,
the activities of all Parties, in particular developing countries, in relation to paragraphs 3, 5, 7 and 9
above, by developing a Web platform where information submitted by Parties, relevant organizations and
stakeholders will be made available;
1 At the time of this decision, the most recent reporting guidelines for national communications from Parties not
included in Annex I to the Convention are found in decision 17/CP.8.
2 Decision 13/CP.9.
3 FCCC/SBSTA/2006/10, FCCC/SBSTA/2007/3, FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.2 and Add.1,
FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.14 and Add. 1–3; and the background paper prepared for the workshop on reducing
emissions from deforestation held in Rome, Italy from 30 August to 1 September 2006, available at
<http://unfccc.int/methods_and_science/lulucf/items/3757.php>.
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11.
Notes the further consideration, under decision X/CP.13, of policy approaches and
positive incentives on issues relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in
developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement
of forest carbon stocks in developing countries;
12.
Notes further that when addressing policy approaches and positive incentives on issues
relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, the
efforts described in paragraph 3 above should be considered.
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ANNEX
Indicative guidance
1.
Demonstration activities should be undertaken with the approval of the host Party;
2.
Estimates of reductions or increases of emissions should be results based, demonstrable,
transparent, and verifiable, and estimated consistently over time;
3.
The use of the methodologies described in paragraph 6 of this decision is encouraged as a
basis for estimating and monitoring emissions;
4.
Emission reductions from national demonstration activities should be assessed on the
basis of national emissions from deforestation and forest degradation;
5.
Subnational demonstration activities should be assessed within the boundary used for the
demonstration, and assessed for associated displacement of emissions;
6.
Reductions in emissions or increases resulting from the demonstration activity should be
based on historical emissions, taking into account national circumstances;
7.
Subnational1 approaches, where applied, should constitute a step towards the
development of national approaches, reference levels and estimates;
8.
Demonstration activities should be consistent with sustainable forest management,
noting, inter alia, the relevant provisions of the United Nations Forum on Forests, United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification and the Convention on Biological Diversity;
9.
Experiences in implementing activities should be reported and made available via the
Web platform;2
10.
Reporting on demonstration activities should include a description of the activities and
their effectiveness, and may include other information;
11.
Independent expert review is encouraged.
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1 Activities carried out within the national boundary.
2 To be developed by the secretariat as referred to in paragraph 10 of this decision.
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