This briefing paper is comprised of two parts. The first part addresses the existing institutional arrangement under both the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (the “Convention”) and the Kyoto Protocol. It includes simplified organisation charts. The second part addresses possible future institutions, as proposed in the current negotiation …

1. What are the legal implications of the closure of SBI without adopting its agenda for issues, such as loss and damage, that have not been progressed in Bonn? 2. What are the possible options for unlocking the stalemate in Warsaw? 1. Legal implications for issues that have not been progressed in Bonn Rule 16 […]

What are the rules of procedure vis a vis observer participation with respect to subsidiary bodies, in particular, the practice as applied to the Standing Committee ? A summary of the rules of procedure for participation by observer organisations is set below under the heading “General Rules Regarding NGO Participation in UNFCCC COP Negotiations.” …

1. What is the procedure for officially submitting to the UNFCCC a report that was not prepared by the UNFCCC? (specifically, this query relates to the recent UNEP report on the “gigatonne gap”)  2. What is the legal significance of submitting a report to the UNFCCC? Does it enable or obligate consideration of the report […]

Is it legally possible for SBSTA to hold workshops outside of a SBSTA session? Summary: We have not been able to find procedural rules which state definitively that out-of-session workshops are either allowed or not allowed (we note that there are formal procedures on in-session workshops).  However, we have found numerous examples of workshops occurring …