The SBSTA considered views on methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions
from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of
forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, taking into account issues
identified in appendix II to decision 1/CP.16
and relevant issues (FCCC/SBSTA/2011/2). 
Parties identified a range of issues, including guidance on systems for providing information on how
safeguards referred to in appendix I to decision 1/CP.16 are addressed and respected,
modalities relating to forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels, and modalities
for measuring, reporting and verifying as referred to in appendix II to decision 1/CP.16. 

The SBSTA invited Parties and accredited observers to submit to the secretariat their views on the
issues noted above.  General guidance for submissions and future work on these issues (refer to annex
of the conclusions) was provided.  The views by Parties are contained in
FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.7,
Add.1,
Add.  2 and
Add.  3. 

The secretariat organized two SBSTA-mandated meetings of technical experts relating to safeguards and
forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels.  The reports on the outcomes of
these meetings can be found in documents
FCCC/SBSTA/2011/INF.17 and FCCC/SBSTA/2011/INF.18

SBSTA 32

The SBSTA, at its thirty-second session, took note of the following oral reports by its Chair on:

Ways of facilitating the coordination of the activities relating to decision decision
2/CP.13;

The outcomes of the informal
meeting of experts on enhancing coordination of capacity-building activities in relation to using
the most recent IPCC guidance and guidelines, as adopted or encouraged by the COP, as appropriate, as
a basis for estimating anthropogenic forest-related greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals
by sinks, forest carbon stocks and forest area changes, which was held in Bonn, Germany, from 25 to
26 May 2010. 

The SBSTA, taking into consideration the outcomes and recommendations resulting from the informal
meeting of experts, requested the secretariat:

To increase the number of experts trained in the use of the IPCC guidance and guidelines referred
to in
decision 4/CP.15, paragraph 1 (c), by organizing and facilitating activities such as training of
trainers workshops, and to work with the IPCC on promoting the use of the IPCC Emission Factor
Database, and report on its progress to the SBSTA at its thirty-fourth session;

To enhance sharing of information, experiences and lessons learned on the use of the IPCC
guidance and guidelines on the UNFCCC website through an interactive discussion forum to be set up on
the web platform. 

The SBSTA again reminded and encouraged Parties, relevant organizations and stakeholders to continue
sharing information on activities relating to decisions 2/CP.13 and 4/CP.15 via the web platform. 

The conclusions for this agenda item are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2010/6
(paragraphs 33-41). 

SBSTA 31

The SBSTA, at its thirty-first session, considered and agreed on a draft decision on
“Methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of
forest carbon stocks in developing countries.”  The COP adopted this decision ( 4/CP.15) at its
fifteenth session. 

The conclusions for this agenda item are contained in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2009/8 (paragraphs 27-34). 

SBSTA 30

SBSTA 30 continued its programme of work on methodological issues, as contained in decision
2/CP.13, paragraphs 7 (a) and 11.  At this session, the SBSTA considered the text of a draft
decision on methodological guidance (contained in the annex to the conclusions), taking into account
the following, inter alia:

The
outcomes of the expert meeting on methodological issues relating to reference emission
levels and reference levels that was held in Bonn, Germany, from 23 to 24 March
2009;

The information contained in the
technical paper entitled “Cost of implementing methodologies and monitoring systems
relating to estimates of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, the assessment of
carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions from changes in forest cover, and the enhancement of
forest carbon stocks”. 

The SBSTA continued its work on this matter at its thirty-first session, on the basis of the draft
text contained in the annex. 

The SBSTA also:

Took note of the submission of views by Parties on needs for technical and institutional
capacity-building and cooperation (contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.2, Add.1 and Add.2) and on issues relating to indigenous peoples and local communities for the
development and application of methodologies (contained in FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.1,
Add.1 and
Add.2);

Recognized that in order to generate accurate and precise data and information for establishing
reference emission levels and reference levels as contained in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2008/13, paragraph 40, and for establishing and operating monitoring systems, there
are research priorities and capacity-building needs, such as those identified in the outcomes of
the expert meeting and the views submitted by Parties referred to above;

Noted that it may need to consider further guidance on methodological issues in accordance with
any relevant decisions adopted by the COP at its fifteenth session. 

The Chair provided oral reports to the SBSTA and the AWG-LCA (at its sixth session) respectively, on
the following matters:

Preliminary information on ways of facilitating the coordination of activities relating
to
decision 2/CP.13; and

Results of consultations and progress made at the thirtieth session of the SBSTA and the outcomes
of the expert meeting. 

The SBSTA requested its chair to continue exploring ways of facilitating the coordination of
activities in (a) above and to report back at its thirty-first session. 

The conclusions for this agenda item are contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2009/3 (paragraphs 31-42). 

SBSTA 29

SBSTA 29 (FCCC/SBSTA/2008/13, paragraphs
35-48 and annex II), on the basis of work on methodological issues set out in decision
2/CP.13, recommended the following methodological guidance:

The use of the Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines For National Greenhouse Inventories and
encouraging the use of the Good Practice Guidance For Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry,
as appropriate, as a basis for estimating anthropogenic forest-related emissions by sources and
removals by sinks;

The need to establish robust and transparent national forest monitoring systems, following
consideration of their requirements;

If appropriate, the need to establish robust and transparent sub-national forest monitoring
systems, following consideration of their requirements;

The encouragement of national forest monitoring systems that allow transparent and independent
review of their results;

The consideration of national circumstances and respective capabilities and capacities. 

The SBSTA also noted the importance of several elements in relation to its programme of work
initiated under
decision 2/CP.13 including promoting readiness, further mobilization of resources, promoting the
full and effective participation of indigenous people and local communities, exploring co-benefits
and sharing lessons learned and experiences. 

The SBSTA also requested its Chair:

To explore ways of facilitating the coordination of activities relating to decision
2/CP.13; and

To inform the AWG-LCA, at its sixth session, of the results of consultations and progress made at
SBSTA30 and outcomes from the expert meeting. 

The SBSTA concluded that in addition to work identified in these conclusions, guidance from the Ad
Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) in relation to
decision
1/CP.13, paragraph 1 (b) (iii), would facilitate further progress on methodological issues. 

The SBSTA decided to continue its programme of work on methodological issues at its thirtieth
session.  See conclusions of SBSTA 30.