(Agenda item 4 (c))

Conclusions

At its 5 th meeting, on 6 November, having considered a proposal by the Chairman, the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:

(a) The SBSTA took note of document FCCC/SBSTA/2001/MISC.6 and Add.1 containing submissions by Parties on the report of the workshop on methodologies on climate change impact and adaptation, held at Sainte Adèle, Canada, in June 2001 (FCCC/SBSTA/2001/INF.4), and on the work of the SBSTA on methodologies for assessing climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation;

(b) The SBSTA supported the conclusions of the workshop, and noted that they included elements of great importance for the development of adaptation strategies in developing countries. It also noted that more scientific work should be done in the area of improving and developing of the methodologies for assessing impacts and adaptation. It invited Parties and international organizations to take this into consideration in developing their future work programmes, noting the methodological needs and priorities of developing countries. It also invited the IPCC to give further consideration to the assessment of these methods in its future work;

(c) The SBSTA further noted the linkages between the work on methodologies and other related activities under both the SBI and the SBSTA, such as activities relating to Article 4.8 and 4.9, matters relating to national communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention, and the work on technology transfer and capacity building;

(d) The SBSTA also noted the importance and complex nature of the work on methodologies and endorsed the acceleration and broadening of the work of the secretariat in this area. It requested the secretariat:

(i) To consult with various United Nations bodies and other organizations on how to advance the development and assessment of methods and tools for evaluating impacts and adaptation, and the collection and dissemination of information;

(ii) To hold an initial workshop before the seventeenth session of the SBSTA with the participation of Parties and global and regional international organizations, to explore the  means of, and possible mechanisms for, supporting the development and dissemination of methods and tools for evaluating impacts and adaptation as referred to in document FCCC/SBSTA/2001/INF.4, and/or to integrate such considerations into the terms of reference for other proposed workshops relating to adaptation issues;

(e) The SBSTA requested the secretariat to report to the sixteenth session of the SBSTA on the matters outlined in paragraph 23 (d) above.