1. of the Standing Committee Bonn, 9-10 November 2016
45th Meeting
of the Standing Committee
Bonn, 9-10 November 2016
“Report of the 4th Meeting of the
Strategic Plan Working Group”
Agenda item 12
Author
Ines Verleye, Chair SPWG 1

2. COP11 Res 11.2 Extended the mandate of the SPWG to
- Develop new/identify existing detailed indicators for the Strategic Plan
- Develop a “Companion Volume on Implementation”
This was first discussed at SPWG3 – see the report to the StC44 for details.
Author 2

3. 4th Strategic Plan Working Group
Bonn, 7-8th of November
1) In-depth discussion on monitoring and draft Strategic Plan indicators
2) In-depth discussion on the Companion Volume
3) Other Strategic Plan related matters
4) Timeline to COP12

4. 1. Discussion on Indicators
CMS/SPWG4/Doc.2
The Secretariat was requested by SPWG3 to develop, based on their guidance, a zero draft on indicators for consideration by the SPWG and subsequent public consultation by mid 2016.
For each Target, an Indicator Factsheet was developed to underpin the proposal of a limited number of indicators.
These Factsheets were submitted to public consultation from April to August 2016 and submitted to the ScC meeting in April.
The revised version was discussed at the SPWG4

5. Indicator Factsheets Each factsheet contains among others:
- text of the Target
- narrative to identify/clarify aim of each target
- small set of indicators (max 4-5) per target
- relevant existing data gathering processes to balance benefit and burden for Parties/Sec.
- relation to the National Report, including where useful suggestions for the review of the template of the NR
- relation to other processes
Overall positive impression from SPWG:
Balanced, well-thought document, to be refined with specific comments and a new version submitted to public consultation early 2017

6. Indicator Factsheets (cont'd)
Specific key points raised during the discussion:
- importance of iterative process between development of indicators and the revision of the NR template. Indicator process to support synergy & mainstreaming of reporting within and beyond the CMS Family
- importance of strategic thinking on how to tell the story once the data is obtained. Need to balance bad news stories with good news stories to appeal to policy makers.
- identify use of the data: keeping progress of the SP implementation under review at each COP. May need stronger COP mandate to the Secretariat to engage in more extensive collation of data and existing information.
- real challenge to see the Strategic Plan as enabling instrument for the Parties. Must be addressed through best practices/examples of actual work that underpins the targets and demonstrates link with Sustainable Development.
Several of these points could be addressed in a COP resolution on the SP. A draft will be developed by the SPWG for review by StC.

7. 2. Discussion on Companion Volume
CMS/SPWG4/Doc.3
The Secretariat was requested by the SPWG3
– to reflect available instruments according to targets
– to identify all existing/relevant implementation tools
– to identify gaps to report on to COP
– to explore the feasibility of developing this as an online toolkit
– to produce a zero draft for consultation by the SPWG early 2016, possibly followed by public consultation.
A draft Companion Volume (Word doc + online) was developed and submitted to limited consultation (SPWG and StC members) and further discussed by SPWG4 with regard to overall approach and structure.

8. Companion Volume
The outline of the Companion Volume (CV) supports implementation of each Target by collating existing guidance (instruments, resolutions etc) for each of the core elements identified by COP.
It is a mapping exercise to support national work towards the implementation of the SP.
Overall positive impression from SPWG:
– it allows for a coherent approach to implementation of a multitude of obligations.
– The online version allows for efficient use of a large amount of data.
The structure and approach can be further developed as started but there is a need for contextualization regarding daily CMS work.

9. Companion Volume (cont'd)
Some key points raised during the discussion:
– To facilitate use of the CV, an executive summary should demonstrate how to use the CV through best practice/ examples. A draft of this summary will be developed in time for the next consultation
– Need to look at level of 'guidance' contained in the instruments/resolutions and possibly identify gaps.
– Need to address a few specific issues such as updating cycle, online/offline versions, etc. Suggestion to bring these questions to the consultations in form of questionnaire.
– link to current COP preparation : Add a reference to the SP in the draft COP resolutions to promote use of SP to underpin work of the Convention.
– finalize CV in existing languages, raising the point to COP about missing languages for some parts.

10. 3. Other relevant matters
The Secretariat briefed the SPWG on other ongoing processes related to the work of the SPWG:
- review template for National Reports
- synergy processes
- review of implementation
- registration of sub-targets

11. 4. Timeline to COP12
The SPWG agreed on a timeline towards COP12 keeping in mind:
the 90day cut-off for documents to COP
the need to allow for sufficient time to consult the regions on the two drafts (Indicators + Companion Volume)
the need to allow for sufficient time to integrate comments received, and
timely submission to the StC of the final drafts.

12. Thank You.