11/18/2018 Problems in the preparation of national communications, new guidelines and future review process Vitaly Matsarski UNFCCC Secretariat 11/18/2018 UN ECE Energy Efficiency 21 Project

11/18/2018 Brief history Decision 2/CP.1 (1995) – basic review procedures, including guidelines Review of first national communications (1995-1997) Decision 9/CP.2 (1996) – on the continuation of IDRs of second national communications Review of second national communications (1998- 2000) Decision 4/CP.3 (1997) - on the continuation of IDRs of third national communications to be submitted in 2001 Decision 4/CP.5 (1999) – revised guidelines Review of third national communications (2002-2003) In the decade between 1079 and 1989 climate change became more and more a political issue. There was a growing concern that anthropogenic activities associated with emissions of the so-called “green-house” gases are causing irreversible changes to the global climate pattern. The adoption of the Convention in 1992 was an important milestone of the climate change process and negotiations launched in 1990 by the UN Assembly on a worldwide treaty on climate change. The main debate during these negotiations was on a concept of targets and time tables. The EC believed, that there should be a phased approach to targets to CO2 and other gases. The US was determined to avoid a binding commitments on targets and timetables, because the US administration that time believed, that binding commitment would force the US to adopt significant actions with unforeseen consequences. 11/18/2018 UN ECE Energy Efficiency 21 Project

Difficulties Varying degrees of completeness Varying degrees of adherence to the guidelines Different interpretation of the guidelines Delayed submissions Limited comparability 11/18/2018

Main features of the new guidelines 11/18/2018 Main features of the new guidelines Clarity Relative brevity Indication of mandatory elements Definitions and examples provided Structure of the national communication suggested 11/18/2018 UN ECE Energy Efficiency 21 Project

Expectations Increased comparability of national communications Improved consistency between sections Reporting of all mandatory elements Timely submissions Full preparedness for the in-depth reviews 11/18/2018

11/18/2018 THANK YOU! 11/18/2018 UN ECE Energy Efficiency 21 Project