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Introduction to the COPs, SBSTAs, SBIs |
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the "supreme body" of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), that is, its highest decision making authority. It is an association of all countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention.
The COP is responsible for keeping international efforts to address climate change on track. It reviews the implementation of the Convention and examines the commitments of Parties in light of the Convention's objectives, new scientific findings and experience gained in implementing climate change policies. A key task for the COP is to review the National Communications submitted by Parties. Based on this information, the COP assesses the effects of the measures taken by Parties and the progress made in achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention.
Ultimate Objective of the Convention |
Stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at safe levels. Such levels, which the Convention does not quantify, should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. |
The COP meets every year, unless the Parties decide otherwise. So far, it has met 8 times in different cities.
COP | Date | Venues |
COP1 | 28/03-07/04 1995 | Berlin |
COP2 | 8-19/07 1996 | Geneva |
COP3 | 1-11/12 1997 | Kyoto |
COP4 | 1-14/11 1998 | Buenos Aires |
COP5 | 25/10-05/11 1999 | Bonn |
COP6 | 13-24/11 2000 | The Hague |
COP7 | 19/10-9/11 2001 | Marrakesh |
COP8 | 23/10-01/11 2002 | New Delhi |
The Convention also established two standing "subsidiary bodies": the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advices (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI). These Bodies give advice to the COP and each has a specific Mandate.
As it names suggest, the SBSTA's task is to provide the COP with advice on scientific, technological and methodological matters relating to the Convention. It serves as the link between the scientific information provided by expert sources such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the one hand, and the policy-oriented needs of the COP on the other.
The SBI helps with the assessment and review of the implementation of the Convention. It plays a key role in examining the National Communications and Emission Inventories submitted by the Parties and provides advice to the COP on the financial mechanis,s (operated by the Global Environmental Facility - GEF), as well as on administrative and budgetary matters.
The subsidiary bodies
are open to participation by all Parties to the Convention.
The SBSTA and SBI meet in parallel, at leas twice a
year.
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