Linkages between Articles 14 and 15 Paris Agreement

Legal assistance paper

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Date produced: 04/09/2018

To what extent could the outputs of the compliance committee inform the global stocktake?


Advice:

The systematic structure and negotiation history of the Paris Agreement suggests that the transparency framework (under Art.13) should inform the global stocktake (Art.14), and the global stocktake the mechanism to facilitate implementation and promote compliance (Art.15). However, there is no reason why information could not flow (simultaneously) into different directions – including from the mechanism under Art.15 to the global stocktake.

If this is considered a desirable approach a reference to all outputs, work and findings of the mechanism under Art.15 should be included in the list of sources of input for the global stocktake.

If and to what extent this would provide useful information depends on the final mandate, scope and content of both the global stocktake and the process (to facilitate implementation and promote compliance) under Art.15. The global stocktake could, for example, highlight certain (generic, cross-cutting, general) issues that affect implementation and progress by different parties based on the findings of the Art.15 Committee. Those findings and recommendations may also help to identify general gaps, counter-measures and/or good practice (if this is part of the global stocktake). In assessing collective progress the global stocktake could take into account the impact of roadmaps or action plans suggested by the Committee (and possibly compare it to a “business as usual” scenario).

A comprehensive assessment of all potential options will only be possible once the mandate and outputs of the Compliance Committee as well as the scope and content of the global stocktake become clearer.