Doha climate gateway by United Nations Development Programme

Technical paper Summary of the COP18/CMP8 Doha Climate Gateway (26th November - 8th December 2012)

Prepared by1: Daniela Carrington (Stoycheva) - climate change policy advisor UNDP BRC Bratislava, Slovakia, December 2012

The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the UNDP

Contents General observations .................................................................................................................... 3

Dates and venues of future sessions: ................................................................................................. 4 Doha Climate Gateway ................................................................................................................. 4

2.1.

Agreed outcome pursuant to the Bali Action Plan .................................................................. 4

Shared vision for long-term cooperative action ................................................................................. 4 Mitigation for developed countries ................................................................................................... 5 Mitigation for developing countries .................................................................................................. 5 Adaptation........................................................................................................................................ 7 Finance ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Market Mechanisms ......................................................................................................................... 8 Technology ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Capacity Building ............................................................................................................................. 9 Review ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Other matters .................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.

Outcome of the work of the AWG-KP .................................................................................... 10

2.3.

Durban Platform ..................................................................................................................... 11

Other COP/CMP decisions ......................................................................................................... 13 Doha work programme on Article 6 of the Convention â&#x20AC;&#x201C; education, training and public awareness . 13 Joint Implementation ...................................................................................................................... 13 Gender ........................................................................................................................................... 13

This report provides a technical analysis and summary of the outcomes of the Doha Conference across the different themes under discussion and covers mainly issues of interest for the Eastern Europe and CIS countries. 1.

General observations

Meeting: Governments met in Doha, Qatar, from 26th November until 8th December 2012, for the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP18) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the 8th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP8). The Conference was attended by approximately 9,000 participants and closed a full day beyond the conference’s schedule. The conference also included meetings by five subsidiary bodies (SBs): 37th sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 37) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 37), the second part of the 17th session of the Ad hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP 17), the second part of the 15th session of the Ad hoc Working Group on Long term Cooperative Action under the UNFCCC (AWG-LCA 15) and the second part of the Ad hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP 1). Altogether these meetings covered more than 100 cross-cutting agenda items. The Conference was the first to be paper free (Papersmart) and all the documents, including the daily programme, were published on the web. However, because of poor connectivity, delays in posting and whether or not delegates had smart devices, together with the large number of negotiating bodies, agenda items and meeting venues, this created problems for the delegates, especially from small delegations. Outcome: As a result of extensive negotiations, the COP and CMP adopted the Doha Climate Gateway - a set of decisions that: (i) adopted the Second Commitment Period (SCP) of the Kyoto Protocol, (ii) operationalized the institutional mechanisms which were established in Cancun in 2010 to deal with adaptation, mitigation, financing, technology transfer, REDD+ and capacity building and (iii) agreed the work programme under the Durban Platform to lead to a new treaty for a post-2020 global climate change regime. A number of other decisions were taken as well, amongst which was the Doha programme on Article 6 of the Convention (education, training and public awareness). The conference’s most significant achievement was adoption of an amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, establishing a second commitment period (2013-2020) with binding emission targets for the EU, Australia, Norway, Switzerland, Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, and two new comers – Belarus and Kazakhstan. Approval of the amendment must now be ratified by the EU and other countries to enter into force. This concludes a negotiation track under AWG-KP, which began in 2005 in Montreal. Parties also took final decisions under a parallel negotiating track AWG-LCA, launched in 2007 in Bali, which has produced new mechanisms on finance, review, adaptation and technology, as well as voluntary emissions pledges from 94 countries. In Doha the two tracks under the 3

Convention and the Kyoto Protocol as well as the AWG-LCA and AWG-KP concluded their work, whilst some outstanding issues were forwarded to the permanent Subsidiary Bodies. In addition, many of the issues concerning the final operationalization of the post2012 architecture were deferred to work programmes to be discussed over 2013 and 2014. At the closing Plenary, after the COP/CMP President had gaveled the Doha Climate Gateway package, Russia (and on behalf of Belarus and Ukraine) made a statement that he has asked for the floor before the decision had been adopted. Russia stressed the expectation that the President would introduce the proposal submitted by the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus on the amendment of the Kyoto Protocol in relation to surplus AAUs. The COP President responded that this concern and proposal would be reflected in the meeting’s report. Unfortunately as this proposal was not agreed, this may prevent these countries remaining in the second commitment period. Dates and venues of future sessions:   

COP19/CMP9 – Warsaw, Poland from Monday, 11 November to Friday, 22 November 2013 (Eastern European Group); COP20/CMP10 – place TBD, from Wednesday, 3 December to Sunday, 14 December 2014 (Latin America and Caribbean States); COP21/COP11 – France, from Wednesday, 2 December to Sunday, 13 December 2015 (Western Europe and others Group, WEOG).

2. Doha Climate Gateway The Doha Climate Gateway was the key outcome from COP18/CMP8. 2.1.

Agreed outcome pursuant to the Bali Action Plan

(The outcome of work by the AWG-LCA - Decision -/CP.18) The outcome of AWG-LCA contains decisions on the main elements of the Bali Action Plan, namely: a shared vision for long-term cooperative action; adaptation; mitigation; finance; technology; capacity building, review and other issues. The work was finalized and the AWG-LCA was terminated. Below are described the outcomes of relevance for the region. Shared vision for long-term cooperative action (Full title: A shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for emissions reductions, to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention, in accordance with the provisions and principles of the Convention, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and taking into account social and economic conditions and other relevant factors) The shared vision of the agreed outcome decides that all the countries will urgently work towards the deep reduction in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions required to hold the increase in global average temperature below 2 °C compared to the pre-industrial levels and to achieve a global peaking of global GHG emissions as soon as possible, consistent 4

with the science (Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC), with a time frame for peaking longer in developing countries. It was also decided that mitigation efforts of the countries should be undertaken on the basis of the principles of the Convention and in particular common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR&RC). Finance, technology transfer and capacity-building will be provided to developing countries in order to support their mitigation and adaptation actions under the Convention, on the basis of equitable access to sustainable development (SD), the survival of countries and protecting the integrity of Mother Earth. Left for future decisions is the year of the peaking of global GHG emissions and how much mitigation efforts are needed. Mitigation (Full title: Enhanced national/international action on mitigation of climate change) Mitigation for developed countries (Full title: Measurable, reportable and verifiable nationally appropriate mitigation commitments or actions, including quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives, by all developed country Parties, while ensuring the comparability of efforts among them, taking into account differences in their national circumstances) Under the Cancun Agreement, a new regime for mitigation actions and reporting (biennial reports, international assessment and review, reporting and review) has been created. In Doha developed countries were urged to increase the ambition of their targets in the range of the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC. A work programme (under SBSTA) was established to further clarify in 2013-2014 the targets of the developed countries in relation to: common elements for MRV of the progress in achieving the target and ensuring comparably of efforts amongst developed countries. Developed countries have to submit their information on the formulation of low-emission development strategies and any additional information on clarification of their targets. Doha adopted the tabular reporting format to be used by developed country parties when submitting biennial reports on their mitigation actions. Mitigation for developing countries (Full title: Nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing country Parties in the context of sustainable development, supported and enabled by technology, financing and capacity-building, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner) As per the Bali Action Plan, developing countries will also now undertake mitigation actions under the UNFCCC process. The Cancun Agreement “encourages governments to prepare low-carbon development strategies in the context of sustainable development”. Moreover, “developing countries will undertake nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) in the context of sustainable development”. Developed country parties will provide financial, technological and capacity building support for the preparation of 5

NAMAs and enhanced reporting, probably through the new fund (see below). Many developing countries have already submitted their voluntary nationally appropriate mitigation actions - see Appendix II of the Copenhagen Accord. Doha sent an invitation to developing countries which have not yet submitted NAMAs, on a voluntarily basis, to submit information on their intention to implement NAMAs under the Copenhagen Accord. A work programme (2013-2014) was established (under SBI) to further understand the diversity of NAMAs, and to facilitate their preparation and implementation, and the need for financial, technological and capacity building support. It was decided to organize an in session workshop on the above issue in mid next year. The agreed outcome reiterated encouragement to developing countries to develop low emission and climate resilient development strategies, taking into account national circumstances, and the support needed. The UNFCCC secretariat, in collaboration with intergovernmental organizations, has to organize regional technical workshops and to prepare technical material to build capacity in the preparation, submission and implementation of NAMAs as well as in the formulation of low emission development strategies. Additionally it was decided that general guidance on MRV of domestically implemented NAMAs will be developed. In order to match the NAMAs with the needed international support it was decided that the UNFCCC Registry will be deployed in April 2013 and operationalized two months before COP19. Countries from the region that have taken voluntary commitments under the Copenhagen Accord are: Armenia (Implementation of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The national programme on energy saving and renewable energy of the Republic of Armeniaâ&#x20AC;?; Transport sector: expansion of electric transport and increase of natural gas share in motor fuel; Decrease of methane emissions from solid municipal waste; Restoration of forest); Georgia (Amongst others: To achieve a measurable, reportable and verifiable deviation from the baseline (below business as usual levels) supported and enabled by technology and capacity-building; To develop a low carbon growth plan and low carbon strategy, in particular through the use of renewable energy investments and global cooperation.); Moldova (A reduction of no less than 25% of the base year 1990 level total national GHG emissions by 2020â&#x20AC;Ś); Tajikistan (improvement of energy efficiency technologies in building and construction; development of low-carbon growth through the introduction of a renewable energy strategy); FYR of Macedonia (Amongst others: GHG reductions in electric power sector; GHG emission reductions in industrial energy transformation and heating sector; Improvement of efficiency and energy savings; GHG emissions in transport; GHG emissions in waste sector).

Adaptation (Full title: Enhanced action on adaptation) Under the Cancun Agreement, the Cancun Adaptation Framework was established. This framework has an extensive list of activities, including support to adaptation planning, programmes and projects, vulnerability assessments, strengthening institutional capacities, disaster risk reduction, and knowledge and information sharing. In Doha it was decided to enhance action on adaptation, and Doha approved a three year work programme of the Adaptation Committee and implementation of a work programme on Loss and Damage. For the non-Annex I countries in this region is important that they will receive financial support to develop National Adaptation Plans. The Decision gives consideration to issues relating to the engagement and role of regional centres and networks and requests the Adaptation Committee to consider the establishment of an annual Adaptation Forum. The Adaptation Forum will provide the opportunity for countries from the region to express their experiences and needs and define possible means of implementation. The countries should work towards establishment of an annual Adaptation Forum. Finance (Full title: Enhanced action on the provision of financial resources and investment to support action on mitigation and adaptation and technology cooperation) The Cancun Agreement established the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the UNFCCC, alongside the GEF. The fund will:    



be accountable to and function under the guidance of the COP; support projects, programmes, policies, and other activities using thematic windows to be designed; be governed by a board of 24 members representing UN regional groupings; be serviced by a trustee that will be limited to financial management and reporting (including co-mingling funds for investment purposes). The trustee will be accountable to the Board. The World Bank will serve as the interim trustee subject to review after three years; and be supported by an independent Secretariat.

In Doha developed countries were encouraged to provide resources of at least the average annual level of the fast start finance (FSF) (i.e. $30bn over the period/$10bn/yr) over 20132015. Also the work programme on long term finance was extended by one year to the end of 2013 in order to identify pathways to mobilise $100bn/year by 2020 from public, private and alternate sources. In Doha the selection of Songdo, Korea, as the location of the Green Climate Fund was endorsed. It is expected to start its work in the second half of 2013 and launch activities in 2014. 7

Market Mechanisms (Full title: Various approaches, including opportunities for using markets, to enhance the costeffectiveness of, and to promote, mitigation actions, bearing in mind different circumstances of developed and developing countries) On this topic not much was achieved in Doha. Besides restating that countries, individually or jointly, may develop and implement various approaches, including opportunities for using markets and non-markets, to enhance the cost-effectiveness of, and to promote, mitigation actions, a work programme will be established over 2013 under SBSTA for market and nonmarket bases to address : (i) the purposes of the framework; (ii) the scope of approaches to be included under the framework; (iii) a set of criteria and procedures to ensure the environmental integrity of approaches; (iv) technical specifications to avoid double counting; (v) the institutional arrangements for the framework. On the new market-based mechanisms (NMM) a decision will be taken at the next COP (COP19). Parties and observers can provide submissions on both non-market and non-market mechanisms by 25 March 2013. Technology (Full title: Enhanced action on technology development and transfer to support action on mitigation and adaptation) The Cancun Agreement decided to formally establish a Technology Mechanism under the Convention. The mechanism has a Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and a Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). The TEC replaced the Expert Group on Technology Transfer under the Convention from 2011. The existing technology transfer work under the UNFCCCâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;mainly through the GEFâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;will now be reviewed with a view to harmonizing work between the new mechanism and GEF programming. However in Doha the relationship between the TEC and the CTCN were still not defined and will have to be decided at COP 19. At COP20 the relationship between the Technology Mechanism and the financial mechanisms (incl. GCF) Has to be decided (i.e. how technology will be financed). In Doha was decided that the TEC has to elaborate a work programme which will include enabling environment and removal of barriers for technology transfer. The Advisory Board to the CTCN has to take into account in their programme of work: (i) Providing advice and support to developing country Parties, including capacity-building, in relation to conducting assessments of new and emerging technologies; and (ii) Elaborating the role of the Climate Technology Centre and Network in identifying currently available climate friendly technologies for mitigation and adaptation that meet the key low-carbon and climate-resilient development needs of Parties. 8

Doha confirmed a consortium led by the UNEP as host of the Climate Technology Centre and its associated Network (CTCN). Capacity Building (Full title: Enhanced action on capacity-building) The Cancun Agreement took a decision to enhance the capacity building support to developing countries and to strengthen amongst others, relevant institutions at various levels, networks, public awareness and education, and participation of various stakeholders in policy making. The reporting of the capacity building activities of both developed and developing countries is encouraged under their National Communications on more frequent basis. In Durban a Forum on capacity building was established. Doha recognised the importance of the Durban Forum, whose second meeting will take place in May 2013. Submissions are invited by 18 February 2013 on the experiences and lessons learned on capacity building in order to explore potential ways to further enhance the implementation of capacity building at the national level, including through the Durban Forum. Review (Full title: Review: further definition of its scope and development of its modalities) In order to hold the global temperature rise below 2 degrees compared to the pre-industrial levels, countries agreed to some of the details of the review of the adequacy of the long-term goal and progress toward this goal, including that the first review should be undertaken over the period 2013-2015, noting that the IPCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fifth assessment report is due to come out in stages over 2013-14, on which the review will be based. Negotiations will be conducted under a joint contact group under SBI/SBSTA and a dialogue (in the format of workshops) will be established to consider on an ongoing basis the scientific findings. Other matters (Note: important for EITs and Turkey) The LCA text includes two decisions under â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other mattesâ&#x20AC;? for Parties included in Annex I undergoing the process of transition to a market economy (EITs) and a Party whose special circumstances are recognized by the COP (Turkey). For the EITs, the decision is about the EITs providing (on a voluntary basis) financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building to developing countries and for Turkey, eligibility to receive financial support technological and capacity building for national climate change strategies and action plans and LEDS or plans.

2.2.

Outcome of the work of the AWG-KP

(Full title: Outcome of the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol) The lack of ambition to genuinely avoid dangerous climate change demonstrated by developed countries was a point of much contention in Doha. There is a looming gap between what is required to stay below the two-degree global temperature rise that countries agreed to and the specific pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that each country has made. While the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol’s second commitment period is a significant achievement, this will cover just 10 to 12 % of global greenhouse gas emissions. Canada has left the Kyoto Protocol, and Russia, Japan and New Zealand have not signed up to the second commitment period, leaving only 35 developed countries and countries with economies in transition left to make legally binding commitments in the second period. The agreed aggregate emissions reductions of these countries for the second commitment period are only 18% below 1990 levels by 2020. This commitment is an improvement on the ambition of the first commitment period, which was to reduce emissions by 5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. However, this is still far short of the kind of commitment that is needed. One saving grace is that these countries have agreed to revisit their original targets and to increase their commitments by 2014, in line with an aggregate goal of a 25-40% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020.The task of the AWG-KP in Doha was to convert last year’s political commitment to new Kyoto targets into legal text by approving amendments of the Kyoto Protocol. The agreed amendment provides for the continuation of legally binding targets with an eight year second commitment period. However with Japan, Russia, Canada and New Zealand out of the second commitment period, the targets encompass only about 14 % of global GHG emissions. The new countries taking targets are Belarus and Kazakhstan (not in the first commitment period), with quantified emissions limitation or reduction commitments (2013–2020) of 88% and 95% respectively (as a percentage of the base year 1990). Although the amendment will not legally enter into force until it has been ratified by threequarters of the Protocol parties, those taking targets agreed either to provisionally apply the amendment or to implement their new commitments from 1 January 2013 consistent with their national laws. Briefly the outcome of the AWG-KP was the following: • Decided that the second commitment period (SCP) will begin on 1 January 2013 and end on 31 December 2020 (i.e. will be for 8 years), and the main rules governing the first commitment period will apply to the second period; •

Annex I parties who have signed up to the SCP will include their QELRCs in Annex B;

• Annex I parties are to ‘revisit’ their QELRCs for the SCP, and these countries may increase their targets (i.e. decrease their QELRCs) in line with aggregate emissions being reduced by 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020. In the interim, they have committed to reduce their overall emissions by at least 18% below 1990 levels over the period 2013-2020 (the 10

original agreement was to reduce by 5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012). Annex I Parties must submit information on their intentions to increase their ambition and on progress made to achieving their reduction targets by 30 April 2014. This information will be considered by a high level ministerial roundtable in 2014 such that a report can be prepared for CMP 10 (i.e. at the end of 2014); • Annex I Parties who did not signed up to the SCP will not be able to use the carbon trading mechanisms of JI and CDM. Non-Annex I parties may continue to utilize the mechanisms, i.e. no change from the FCP; • Requests SBI to develop modalities for expediting the issuance, transfer and acquisition of ERUs (units for JI projects), including for those Parties who were not part of the FCP; • As per the FCP, 2% of the proceeds on CERs (from the CDM) will go to the Adaptation Fund (AF), except for CDM projects in LDCs, as per previous decisions. This decision also commits 2% of ERUs and AAUs (from JI projects and international emissions trading) to also go to the AF; • Countries agreed that carry-over of surplus AAUs can happen between the first and second CP. Carry-over of CERs and ERUs is limited to 2.5%, and purchase of AAUs is limited to 2% of the amount of units in the FCP. However, a number of countries have formally stated that they will not purchase AAUs carried over from the first commitment period: Australia, EU, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland; •

Nitrogen trifluoride (SF6) added as a GHG under the KP for the SCP.

The consequences for Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan of the amendment 2 of the Kyoto Protocol concerning the cancellation of a certain amount of AAUs for the SCP for Parties with a surplus of AAUs may restrain them from ratifying it. Further consideration of this issue will need to be undertaken by these countries, first by analyzing the implications of the amendment on their targets and secondly taking a political decision on whether or not to ratify the amendment. Furthermore as Belarus and Kazakhstan were not a part of the FCP, it is not clear if at all this amendment will apply to those countries, thus there is a need first of all to request a legal clarification from the UNFCCC Secretariat. 2.3.

Durban Platform

Both of the ad hoc working groups that were scheduled to close in Doha – i.e. on the Kyoto Protocol and under the Convention – concluded their work. The working group on the Durban Platform established in 2011 will continue until 2015. This means that instead of having two parallel forums for discussions, the negotiations will now all take place under one forum, which it is hoped will allow for more streamlined and coherent discussions for the future.

G. “Any positive difference between the assigned amount of the second commitment period for a Party included in the Annex I and average annual emissions for the first three years of the preceding commitment period multiplied by eight shall be transferred to the cancellation account of that Party.”

In the ADP forum countries reiterated that they are determined to adopt the new “protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force” under the Convention at its 21st session (i.e. December 2015), to come into effect from 2020. The Durban Platform has a dual mandate; on vision – to draw up a new global climate agreement that will cover all countries, to be adopted in 2015, and on ambition – to identify ways to achieve more ambitious global emission reductions for 2020 in order to close the gap between current emission pledges and what is needed to hold global warming below 2°C. The ADP is at the beginning of its work, and real progress must be made in 2013 on the scope of the future agreement on both vision and ambition. There is a great deal of knowledge and understanding about barriers to mitigation in countries as well as local authorities, private sector and NGOs / IGOs that must be studied, discussed, and made effective (under the Convention). These stakeholders must be engaged in roundtables under the ADP. One point of contention that is already clear as deliberations on the new agreement to cover all countries move forward is the question of how all countries will be covered. China, India and other developing countries want to retain the Annex I (developed) vs. non-Annex I (developing) split as in the Convention, especially based on historical responsibilities, but developed countries stress differentiation and changing circumstances. Given the rising emissions from countries like India and China, developed countries argue that the emission profiles, and hence the causes of climate change, of countries now are very different from what they were when the UNFCCC first came into being, and that the new agreement will need to reflect this new context. However, countries did agree that the existing principles of the Convention will guide the work – i.e. the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) and respective capacities. Countries also agreed that developing countries need incentives to participate in mitigation, including finance, technology, and capacity building, and that “Means of Implementation” must be central to increasing ambition. Noting the emissions gap, there is recognition that fulfilling the ultimate mandate of the Convention will require strengthening of the multilateral, rules-based regime under the Convention. Countries are determined to adopt a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention at its 21st session (i.e. 2015), to come into effect from 2020. Parties will explore options in 2013 to close the ambition gap with a view to identifying activities for work in 2014 to ensure the highest possible mitigation efforts under the Convention. The work of the ADP will be in-sessions in conjunction with the SBs, an additional meeting in Bonn 29 April - 3 May 2013, and/or 9 September to 13 September 2013, roundtables and workshops on two workstreams in early 2013. Parties underlined the importance of high-level engagement on this issue and welcomed the announcement of the UN Secretary-General to convene world leaders on this issue in 2014. The ADP has to consider draft negotiating text no later than December 2014, with negotiating text ready before May 2015. 12

The ADP invited Parties and admitted observer organizations to provide information, views and proposals on the work of the ADP before each session and for the workshops. 3.

Other COP/CMP decisions

Doha work programme on Article 6 of the Convention â&#x20AC;&#x201C; education, training and public awareness In Doha an eight-year Doha work programme on Article 6 was adopted. The decision encouraged intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue their activities and to enhance collaborative efforts for implementing Article 6 initiatives and strategies at the international, regional, national and local levels, and share information on their programmatic responses to the work programme through the UNFCCC climate change information network clearing house CC:iNet and other media. It requests the secretariat to encourage intergovernmental organizations in a position to do so to provide technical or financial support, and to promote partnerships with other organizations, the private sector and donors, in order to support the implementation of the work programme. According to the decision, an annual insession dialogue on Article 6 has to be conducted with the participation of Parties, practitioners and stakeholders to share their experiences and exchange ideas, best practices and lessons learned regarding the implementation of the work programme. The first session of the annual dialogue will be held at the next session of the SBs. Joint Implementation In Doha it was agreed for joint implementation that there would be: (a) a single unified track for JI projects; (b) unified accreditation procedures between JI and CDM; (c) clear and transparent information in English on the UNFCCC website; (d) an appeals process under the COP; (e) clear, transparent and objective requirements to ensure that projects are additional; (f) mandatory requirements for host Parties with respect to the approval of baselines, monitoring and reporting, including clear, transparent and objective requirements for the setting of standardized baselines by host Parties. Requested DNAs to make available on the UNFCCC website references to the web interface on which the documentation is published on all JI hosted projects, which shall include downloadable electronic versions in English of the project design document, including information on baseline setting, as well as determination, monitoring and verification, and data on the issuance of emission reduction units. Gender In Doha, Parties agreed text to promote gender equality in the UN climate negotiation process. The decision, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Promoting gender equality through improving the participation of women in UNFCCC negotiations and in the representation of Parties in bodies established pursuant to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, is in fact a re-affirmation of a decision already taken more than a decade ago. During COP7 in Marrakech, the parties agreed to adopt Decision 36, which recognized the importance of gender equality in climate decision making; urged the parties to nominate women to elected UNFCCC positions; and requested the Secretariat to keep information on the gender composition of UNFCCC bodies with elective posts. 13

Despite this decision, participation of women in UNFCCC bodies has remained disappointingly low. With that in mind, the EU delegation submitted this new decision to remind COP participants of the importance of gender equality. In many ways, the new draft decision is similar to the old one. It recognizes the importance of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in achieving effective and equitable climate policy, requests the Secretariat to keep information on womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in the conferences, and sets a goal of gender balance in all UNFCCC bodies.