1. WORKSHOP ON REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM DEFORESTATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Overview of the Background Paper and Synthesis of Submissions United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Rome, Italy 30 August to 1 September 2006

2. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Mandate SBSTA 24 requested the secretariat to prepare for the workshop a background paper on the topics to be discussed at the workshop, with a synthesis of relevant information in national communications and the submissions by Parties and accredited observers.

3. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Scope of the background paper Background paper consists of 2 main parts and 2 addenda Part I focuses on scientific, socio-economic, technical and methodological issues Part II addresses policy approaches and positive incentives, including relevant examples from country experiences Addendum 1: Synthesis of relevant information in national communication Addendum 2: Part 1: Synthesis of submissions by Parties; Part 2: Synthesis of submissions by observers

4. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Scope of the background paper Purpose: prepared for providing background information and to facilitate discussions information obtained from large number of sources, including literature examples of experiences and lessons learned by countries in literature, NCs and submissions included. Not intended as comprehensive coverage. Presenting paper as separate parts allows each part to be read and comprehended on stand alone basis

5. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Part I: Scientific, socio-economic, technical and methodological issues Role of forests, in particular tropical forests, in global carbon cycle; Definitional issues, including those relating to links between deforestation and degradation; data availability and quality Scale; rates Drivers of deforestation; Estimation of changes in C stocks and forest cover Uncertainties Scope focuses on deforestation, degradation processes included as well

6. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Part II: Policy approaches and positive incentives causes short- and long-term effectiveness with respect to emission reductions the displacement of emissions bilateral and multilateral cooperation activities of other relevant international bodies enhancing sustainable forest management capacity building financial incentives and other alternatives Information relates to experiences and lessons learned taken from broad range of literature and information from websites of organizations

7. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Addendum I: Synthesis of relevant information contained in national communications Synthesizes information relevant to topics to be discussed at workshop Information compiled and synthesized from most recent NCs 132 NAI NCs; 36 AI NCs Information from the 6 th C&S of initial NCs from NAI Parties Information from C&S of 3 rd NCs from AI Parties Specific examples and quotes included to illustrate richness of information and elaborate on issues. Not intended to be comprehensive and complete coverage of all national experiences Terms and topics covered are that as used by Parties; may not match the terms and topics of workshop Coverage and depth of information vary across topics 103 NAI NCs discuss deforestation trends AI NCs discuss deforestation in context of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, financial mechanisms and capacity building

8. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Addendum 2: Synthesis of relevant information in submissions Part 1: Synthesis of submissions by Parties. –21 submissions representing the views of 68 Parties Part 2: Synthesis of submissions by accredited observers –4 submissions by IGOs and 13 submissions by NGOs

9. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Addendum 2: Synthesis of relevant information in submissions Part 1: Synthesis of submissions by Parties. –attempted to provide comprehensive coverage of information found in submissions –priority was given to information relevant to topics for workshop and that covered by Parts I and II of background paper –due to linkages between the technical aspects and the policy aspects, structure may not follow the topics for the workshop in all instances –terms and terminology used in synthesis correspond with those used in the submissions

10. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Addendum 2: Synthesis of relevant information in submissions Part 1: Synthesis of submissions by Parties. –information organized according to two main aspects scientific, socio-economic, technical and methodological issues policy approaches and positive incentives –in many instances, the relevant quotes/ views from the submissions by Parties are given to illustrate the topic and not alter meaning of views expressed by Parties –Information on national experiences by Parties were reproduced in whole – to provide comprehensive information on specific experiences and lessons learned

11. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Addendum 2: Synthesis of relevant information in submissions Part 2: Synthesis of submissions by accredited observers. –information organized according to two main aspects scientific, socio-economic, technical and methodological issues policy approaches and positive incentives –views by IGOs were especially reflected due to their extensive experiences on issues related to deforestation –views from NGOs included only in the case of additional elements not provided by Parties or IGOs –relevant quotes/ views from the submissions by observers are given to illustrate the topic and not alter meaning of views expressed by observers

12. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Concluding remarks –Due to the length of paper and extensive coverage of information, may not have had time to read paper in full –Participants are encouraged to read the background paper carefully –Information in paper may be also helpful for preparations for SBSTA 25