New approaches to complex issues
Land use, land-use change and forestry
(LULUCF) was the subject of an innovative side event convened
at the behest of the Parties. The SBSTA invited the IPCC to
provide an in-depth progress report on its work on LULUCF and
its draft special report on the subject. Participants, including
NGOs, welcomed the long awaited exchange with IPCC expert authors
and an opportunity to begin to map out the complex set of attendant
issues.
The Joint Working Group on compliance convened
to consider a synthesis compilation of proposed procedures and
mechanisms. Emerging issues include: a) the question of including
the flexible mechanisms within the coverage of a compliance
mechanism; b) the scope of a compliance mechanism to adjudicate
binding consequences; c) and the incorporation of the principle
of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Australia skeptical about OPEC's claim that
oil exporters will run up annual losses of $63 billion by 2010
In a re-run of well rehearsed positions on the impacts of
the implementation of climate change response measures, Australia
countered claims by Saudi Arabia that OPEC countries are expected
to run up annual losses of $64 billion as a result of measures
taken by industrialized countries to address climate change.
In a discussion on the outcomes from an expert
workshop resulting from a decision at COP-4, Nigeria led calls
for a consistent approach to all issues before COP-5 including
Convention Articles 4.8 and 4.9 and the associated Kyoto Protocol
provisions. Saudi Arabia weighed in with a claim that unanimity
exists on the likely impact of response measures by industrialized
countries, particularly on the economies of fossil fuel exporters.
He called on Annex 1 countries to clarify the policies and measures
they are likely to undertake, by the year 2000. He said OPEC
countries stand to lose $63 billion annually by 2010 as a result
of the Kyoto Protocol.
Australia emphasized the potential impacts
of climate change on island states. He described evidence regarding
the possible economic effects of response measures as "much
thinner" and said he was sceptical. The Alliance of Small Island
States agreed and pointed out that some of the studies informing
Saudi Arabia's claims had been commissioned by organizations
with deep interests in oil exporting profits. He said the Parties
should not be held hostage by calls for a 'package' approach
to progress on all issues. Photos and ReaAudio available
below.
Peter Doran's
Commentary
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