On the basis of the draft texts contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2013/3/Add.2, SBSTA 39 completed its work on:

• Methodological guidance for measuring, reporting and verifying, as referred to in   decision 1/CP.16, appendix II, paragraph (c);
• Guidance for the technical assessment of the proposed forest reference emission levels and/or forest reference levels, as requested in decision 12/CP.17, paragraph 15.

COP 19 adopted five decisions on methodological guidance as part of the Warsaw Framework for REDD-plus:

• Decision 11/CP.19, entitled “Modalities for national forest monitoring systems”
• Decision 12/CP.19, entitled “The timing and the frequency of presentations of the summary of information on how all the safeguards referred to in decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, are being addressed and respected”
• Decision 13/CP.19, entitled “Guidelines and procedures for the technical assessment of submissions from Parties on proposed forest reference emission levels and/or forest reference levels”
• Decision 14/CP.19, entitled “Modalities for measuring, reporting and verifying”
• Decision 15/CP.19, entitled “Addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation”

At this session, the SBSTA completed its work on several matters related to the work programme referred to in decision 1/CP.16, appendix II and to decision 12/CP.17, paragraph 5. It decided to recommend draft decisions on the following matters for adoption by the COP at its nineteenth session:

• Modalities for national monitoring systems;
• The timing and the frequency of presentations of the summary of information on how all the safeguards referred to in decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, are being addressed and respected;
• Addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.

(Refer to FCCC/SBSTA/2013/3/Add.1 for the draft decisions)

Measuring, reporting and verifying

It continued its work on a draft text on modalities for measuring, reporting and verifying. As referred to in decision 1/CP.16, appendix II, paragraph (c), on the basis of the addendum to the SBSTA 37 report (FCCC/SBSTA/2012/5/Add.1), which contains elements for a possible draft decision on these matters. (Refer to FCCC/SBSTA/2013/3/Add.2)

Forest reference emission levels and/or forest reference levels

It initiated work on guidance for the technical assessment of the proposed forest reference emission levels and/or forest reference levels, as requested in decision 12/CP.17, paragraph 15. It considered a draft text containing elements for a possible draft decision on guidelines and procedures for the technical assessment of submissions from Parties on proposed forest reference emission levels and/or forest reference levels. (Refer to FCCC/SBSTA/2013/3/Add.2)

Safeguards

The SBSTA, in recalling the guidance in decision 12/CP.17, paragraph 2, encouraged developing country Parties to:

• Continue building experiences and best practices as part of improving their systems for providing information on how all the safeguards were being addressed and respected;
• Share these experiences and lessons learned with other Parties.

The SBSTA also encouraged developing country Parties and observer organizations to share, via the Web Platform on the UNFCCC website, their experiences and lessons learned from the development of systems for providing information on how all the safeguards are being addressed and respected and the challenges they face in developing such systems.

Drivers of deforestation and forest degradation

On addressing drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, the SBSTA:

• Noted that actions to address drivers should also consider the guidance in decision 1/CP.16, appendix I;
• Recognized the importance of cross-sector coordination in the context of the development of national strategies or action plans;
• Recognized that international cooperation can contribute to addressing drivers.

Non-market-based approaches

The SBSTA noted that non-market-based approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests, as referred to in decision 2/CP.17, paragraph 67, are important to support the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70.

The SBSTA further noted the need for clarity on types of non-market-based approaches related to the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, and whether further methodological work could be needed.

Non-carbon benefits

On non-carbon benefits, the SBSTA agreed that:

• It is important to take into account these benefits when implementing the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70;
• Clarity is needed on the types of such benefits and associated methodological issues.

It also took note of on-going work on non-carbon benefits under other international organizations and conventions.

The SBSTA, at its thirty-seventh session, continued its consideration of methodological guidance relating to modalities for a national forest monitoring system as referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 71(c), and for measuring, reporting and verifying as referred to in decision 1/CP.16, appendix II, paragraph (c), using the draft text contained in annex I to document FCCC/SBSTA/2012/2 as a basis for its consideration. The SBSTA did not complete its work on these matters and agreed to continue this work at its thirty-eighth session, with the aim of completing this work at its thirty-ninth session and preparing any recommendations for a draft decision on these matters for consideration and adoption by the COP at its nineteenth session. (Refer to FCCC/SBSTA/2012/5 and Add.1)

The SBSTA encouraged Parties, relevant international organizations and stakeholders to share information, via the REDD web platform, on how developing countries are addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and on the experiences gained in addressing such drivers in the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70.

Refer to the adopted conclusions of this session: FCCC/SBSTA/2012/5 and Add.1

At its thirty-sixth session, the SBSTA continued its consideration of methdological guidance relating to modalities for a national forest monitoring system as referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 71(c) and for measuring, reporting and verifying as referred to in the same decision, appendix II, paragraph (c), taking into account the issues identified in this decision, appendix II and the views submitted by Parties (FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.1 and Add.1). It elaborated elements for a possible draft decision on these matters as contained in the annex to the conclusions for this session ( FCCC/SBSTA/2012/2, annex).

The SBSTA also initiated consideration of issues relating to drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, taking into account decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 72 and appendix II, paragraph (a) and the views of Parties and admitted observer organizations. It agreed to continue this work at its next session.

The SBSTA recognized that:
• Further work on methodological guidance may be needed pending the outcome of the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention;
• Parties aiming to undertake the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, could consider the adaptation needs of the country concerned.

The SBSTA continued its consideration of the methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions from  deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, taking into account issues identified in appendix II to decision 1/CP.16 and relevant issues, and the elements identified in the annex to the conclusions of SBSTA34 ( FCCC/SBSTA/2011/2, paragraph 30 and annex II).

The SBSTA took note of the views submitted by Parties (FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.7, Add.1, Add. 2 and Add. 3) and accredited observers on a range of methodological issues referred to above and those identified in the annex to the conclusions. It also took note of the report on the expert meeting on guidance on systems for providing information on how safeguards for REDD-plus activities are addressed and respected and the report on the expert meeting on forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels for implementation of REDD-plus activities.

The SBSTA recommended a draft decision on guidance on systems for providing information on how safeguards are addressed and respected and modalities relating to forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels as referred to in decision 1/CP.16 for adoption by the COP at its seventeenth session. This decision was adopted by the COP.

Recent Sessions

REDD outcomes at SBSTA 29 - 34

REDD outcomes at SBSTA 24 - 28