The key areas of work of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) include addressing impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, promoting the development and transfer of environmentally-sound technologies and conducting technical work to improve the guidelines for preparing and reviewing greenhouse gas emissions inventories from Annex I Parties. The SBSTA carries out methodological work under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and promotes collaboration in the field of research and systematic observation of the climate system.
In addition, the SBSTA plays an important role as the link between the scientific information provided by expert sources such as the IPCC on the one hand, and the policy-oriented needs of the COP on the other. It works closely with the IPCC, sometimes requesting specific information or reports from it, and also collaborates with other international organizations that share the common objective of sustainable development. More information about SBSTA can be found here.
Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, Chair of the SBSTA
Tosi was elected as SBSTA Chair at COP 25 in Madrid in 2019, and was re-elected at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. He has been actively engaged in the UNFCCC process for many years and has contributed to the successful delivery of key milestones, in particular the Paris Agreement.
Former Chair of various UNFCCC negotiation groups including the African Group, the Least Developed Countries and the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, he has also previously served as a member of the Board of the Green Climate Fund and the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism. Tosi now sits on the Board of Directors of the African Risk Capacity Agency. He also holds an ambassador grade.
Main work of the SBSTA in 2022
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to demand the efforts of governments and other stakeholders to ensure people’s health and well-being, the urgency of addressing climate change remains.
In 2022, the SBSTA will continue acting as the interface with the scientific community to help improve understanding and knowledge of climate change in the broadest sense – not only its causes and impacts, but also how to respond to it. Advancing work under the SBSTA prior to the COP 27 in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh is crucial to ensuring the successful delivery of all SBSTA mandates for 2022, with all work conducted in a transparent, inclusive and balanced manner.
The current workload of the SBSTA and the importance of all aspects of its work cannot be overstated, as clear from the mandates for 2022 agreed at previous sessions of the SBSTA and the governing bodies. The SBSTA Chair will consult with Parties on his proposed approach to organizing the work of the next session of the SBSTA as a matter of urgency particularly where negotiations on matters are mandated to be completed in Glasgow.
The Bureau has requested the presiding officers to make available a plan of upcoming activities in preparation for a successful COP 27 in November 2022. Thus, the SBSTA Chair is planing to convene a series of activities to advance the work. Information on these events will be posted below as will information on submissions from Parties and admitted observer organizations.
Please note that the list of planned activities and related schedule are tentative and in Central European Time (CET) or Central European Summer Time (CEST). Detailed information on how to register will be provided in due time.
SBSTA Events related to SB57
