May-June 2021 UN Climate Change Conference - virtual sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies

Over the past week, the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have convened for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, via an online platform. Given the challenges associated with a virtual meeting environment, these informal discussions are taking place over three weeks rather than two - and will continue over the next fortnight. It's a different experience, but one which will hopefully facilitate fruitful engagement and preparation for ambitious action and decisions at COP26 in Glasgow later this year.

Diverse views were expressed by parties at the opening plenary about how best to use the online meeting environment, including whether decisions can be taken forward from meetings and the weighting to be given to documents and informal notes produced. In addition to matters of process, there is a clear desire of parties to progress discussions on matters of substance, including climate finance (including the long term goal on finance), completing guidance and rules for Article 6 (market and non-market mechanisms) and adaptation.

Article 6

Article 6 discussions during the last week centred on familiar issues associated with environmental integrity, avoidance of double counting, corresponding adjustments, reporting cycles, activity design for a centralised mechanism, delivering overall mitigation in global emissions, and human rights issues. An informal expert dialogue also took place on enabling ambition in Article 6 instruments on 2 June 2021.

Below is a brief overview of discussions and events during the week.

• The parties spent time on Thursday 4 June discussing transition of Kyoto Protocol clean development mechanism (CDM) activities under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. Delegates considered steps and timing for transition, however put forward a range of views, from swift transition to no transitioning at all - reflecting historic party positions in relation to this topic. Despite the range in views, parties appeared constructive and keen to engage with transitioning challenges. 
• Also, on 4 June the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) released a Chair’s summary note of discussion at the 2 June 2021 informal consultation and technical expert dialogue on enabling ambition in Article 6 instruments. This document has no status but was produced by the SBSTA Chair as an informal summary, which reflects the diversity of views on minor and more major aspects of Article 6.
• On Friday 5 June, delegates discussed how to implement overall mitigation of global emissions (OMGE), as contemplated under Article 6. This included options for assessing and reporting OMGE. However divergence remains apparent in relation to the scope of application (whether OMGE applies to Article 6.2 and 6.4) and whether OMGE should involve voluntary or mandatory cancellation of emissions reduction units (credits) and/or how it might be reflected in corresponding adjustments.

Current discussions follow informal engagement and informal expert dialogues that commenced earlier this year (some of which have been held before the current sessions) on matters associated with Article 6, including:

• financing adaptation (share of proceeds);
• avoiding double use for outside NDCs (Article 6.4);
• ensuring rapid implementation;
• enabling ambition in Article 6 instruments;
• CDM transitioning matters;
• implementing OMGE;
• reporting and accounting for Article 6.2;
• use of Kyoto units towards NDCs; and
• implementation of Article 6.8.

For those who follow Article 6, you will appreciate that a number of these topics have attracted divergence between parties at previous negotiations. Throughout April and May 2021, parties have made submissions on these topics to assist progress this year, including at these current SB sessions and in the lead up to COP26.

The SBSTA Chair has released similar summary notes for informal technical expert dialogues on financing adaptation, avoiding double use for outside NDCs and ensuring rapid operationalisation of Articles 6.2, 6.4 and 6.8. It is clear that delegates have been busy and engagement on other topics will continue over the current SB sessional period.

Upcoming week

The UNFCCC is using a range of time zones for informal consultations and discussions this year, however virtual engagement is not without its stay-at-home-jet-lag challenges. I’m following Article 6 related matters and participating in Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture workshops and discussions during the current SB sessions. The agenda over the coming week provides further opportunity for engagement on Article 6 and it will be interesting to see how pathways take shape for resolution of key elements under the Paris Agreement later this year in Glasgow.

I look forward to bringing you further updates over the coming weeks and please get in touch if you have any queries.

~ Emily