Notification 2008-035

Dear Madam/Sir, At its thirteenth meeting, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requested the Executive Secretary to develop, in consultation with the Secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) a proposal for terms of reference of a possible Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Biodiversity and Climate Change. The purpose of the proposed AHTEG, as outlined by SBSTTA, would be to develop advice on biodiversity relevant to (i) the UNFCCC decision on the Bali Action Plan (1/CP.13) recalling that, in this decision, Parties agree that this process shall be informed by outputs from other relevant intergovernmental processes and (ii) the UNFCCC Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. Accordingly, I am pleased to attach a proposed terms of reference for your comments and input. I am pleased also, to invite you to share the proposed terms of reference with focal points within your country under the UNCCD and UNFCCC prior to the consideration of these terms of reference by the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD to be held in Bonn, 19-30 May 2008. I would like to request that you provide comments and input as soon as possible but no later than Thursday 10 April 2008. DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR TERMS OF REFERENCE OF A POSSIBLE AD HOC TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUP ON BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE BACKGROUND At the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Parties noted, through decision VII/15 there are opportunities to implement climate change mitigation and adaptation activities in ways that are mutually beneficial and synergistic, and that contribute simultaneously to the CBD, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) At the eighth meeting of the COP, Parties to the CBD welcomed, through decision VIII/30 consideration, within the UNFCCC, of ways and means to reduce emissions from deforestation in developing countries as a potentially unique opportunity for biodiversity protection. The same decision noted that the UNFCCC programme of work on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change could facilitate communication and cooperation between relevant organizations as well as drawing upon relevant information from, and activities undertaken in, other international and regional organizations. Within the UNFCCC, decision 2/CP.11 states that the Nairobi work programme should draw on information from, and activities being undertaken in, other relevant international, regional and other organizations. Furthermore, the report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) on its twenty-fifth session invited relevant organizations and other stakeholders to participate in the implementation of the activities contained in the Nairobi work programme and to share the outcomes of these activities with the SBSTA at subsequent sessions, as appropriate Decision 11.CP.7 affirmed that the implementation of land use, land-use change and forestry activities contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources. Furthermore, in paragraph 11 of decision 1/CP.13, on the Bali Action Plan, the UNFCCC agreed that the process shall be informed by, inter alia, the best available scientific information…outputs from other relevant intergovernmental processes… The Bali process will be guided by the UNFCCC Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action . As such, the thirteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) to the CBD requested the Executive Secretary to develop a proposal for terms of reference of a possible Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Biodiversity and Climate Change to develop information on biodiversity relevant to the UNFCCC decision on the Bali Action Plan as well as the UNFCCC Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, in consultation with the secretariats of the UNFCCC and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification for consideration at the ninth meeting of the CBD Conference of the Parties. PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE The purpose of this AHTEG, if established, is to provide biodiversity-relevant information to the Bali Action Plan process and the UNFCCC SBSTA in the context of the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. Drawing on the work of the previous Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biological Diversity and Climate Change, presented as CBD Technical Series No. 10 and No. 25, the outcomes from the workshops convened by the Secretariat of the UNFCCC under the Nairobi work programme, and other relevant documents including the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment; Guided also by relevant outcomes from the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action, the Conference of the Parties and the Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC, and on other bodies as appropriate; and Reporting to the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice of the CBD, and sharing outcomes with relevant bodies within the UNFCCC (including, if established, the Nairobi work programme group of experts ) and, to the Joint Liaison Group of the Rio Conventions through the Executive Secretary; The Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on biodiversity and climate change will be re-convened as per the procedures set out in the modus operandi outlined in decision IV/16, annex I and in accordance with the following terms of reference. (a) Compile information on the integration of biodiversity considerations within impact and vulnerability assessments and climate change adaptation through: i. Identifying relevant tools, methodologies and best practice examples assessing the impacts on and vulnerabilities of biodiversity as a result of climate change; ii. Proposing ways and means that traditional and local knowledge can be included in impact and vulnerability assessments and adaptation to climate change; iii. Identifying potential impacts of adaptation activities on biodiversity, especially in the regions identified as being particularly vulnerable under the Nairobi work programme (developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States); iv. Analysing the social, cultural and economic benefits of using biodiversity resources for climate change adaptation. (b) Compile information on the current degree of integration of biodiversity considerations, and propose ways and means to improve the integration of these considerations, into climate change responses designed to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) through: i. Identifying and presenting guidance on how experiences in sustainable forest management can be applied to REDD and LULUCF activities so as to provide multiple benefits for carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation and sustainable use; ii. Identifying risks to biodiversity from REDD and LULUCF activities and providing guidance on how such risks can be avoided; and iii. Providing practical guidance on maximizing biodiversity benefits within demonstration activities for REDD. The work of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group should be initiated as soon as possible and completed on time for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at a meeting prior to the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The Group should include experts nominated by Parties to the CBD, bearing in mind geographical and gender balance.