More Background on the SBI

The agenda of the SBI is shaped around the key building blocks of the implementation of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement: transparency, mitigation, adaptation, technology, capacity-building and financing. It also addresses other important issues, such as the organization of intergovernmental meetings or administrative, financial and institutional matters.

The SBI is supporting the operationalization of the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 by developing modalities and procedures for the NDC and adaptation registries; the periodic assessment of the Technology Mechanism; the response measures forum under the Paris Agreement, common times frames for NDCs; and ways of enhancing education, training and public awareness.

On adaptation, finance and technology transfer, the focus is on finding the best way to manage relevant issues in the SBI agenda while making the best use of the increasing role of the specialized bodies and institutions that have been created in Cancun and Durban and operationalized in Doha (e.g. Adaptation Committee, Standing Committee on Finance, and the Technology Mechanism), to deal with the relevant issues. While the technical discussions under these traditional items are now being taken up under the constituted bodies, the SBI has the responsibility of maintaining the political momentum and ensuring transparency on decision-making on these matters. As of 2014, the SBI successfully shifted its focus towards the MRV issues with the launch of the international assessment and review (IAR) and international consultations and analysis (ICA).

The SBI and the SBSTA work together on cross-cutting issues that touch on both their areas of competence. These include the vulnerability of developing countries to climate change and  response measures, issues in relation to the Technology Mechanism, the Adaptation Committee and the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts. It also includes showcasing climate action by Parties and non-Party stakeholders in the context of the Technical examination Process.

The SBSTA and the SBI have traditionally met in parallel twice a year. When they are not meeting in conjunction with the COP, the subsidiary bodies usually convene at the seat of the secretariat in Bonn, Germany. 

Secretariat contact for SBI coordination. (98 kB)