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Review of the Gothenburg Protocol: WGSR Conclusions. 8th Joint TFEIP/EIONET Meeting Dublin, 23-24 October 2007 Tea Aulavuo Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. Time schedule Protocol into force in May 2005; EB initiated 1st review in Dec. 2005;
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Review of the Gothenburg Protocol: WGSR Conclusions 8th Joint TFEIP/EIONET Meeting Dublin, 23-24 October 2007 Tea Aulavuo Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution
Time schedule • Protocol into force in May 2005; • EB initiated 1st review in Dec. 2005; • Review to be finalized by Dec. 2007; • Based on review results, Parties decide on possible revision and/or other further action (at EB_25); • Revision to be completed by 2009? (WGSR’s proposal)
Review’s Subject and Scope (art 10) • (i) Emission ceilings (Annex II) • (ii) Adequacy of Protocol’s obligations (art. 3) • (iii) Progress towards meeting Protocol’s objective • Considering latest scientific info. on: • Health effects, CLs, IA Models • Technological developments and abatement techniques • Changing economic conditions
WGSR at 40th session (Sept 2007): • Welcomed contributions to the review; • Agreed with main review report, as amended; • Requested secretariat to submit amended report to EB; • Recommended that EB consider mandating WGSR to commence in 2008, negotiations on further obligations to reduce emissions, and present outcomes to EB in December 2009.
WGSR_40 (Sept 2007): (2)Recommended to this end to i.a: • (i) Set clear environmental targets; • Take into account modelled optimized • scenarios (possibly differentiated); • (iii) Take into account other political processes; • (iv) Consider including more flexibility in annexes; • (v) Explore possibility for expedited procedure to amend annexes.
WGSR_40 (Sept 2007): (3): • (f) Thanked TFIAM and CIAM; Acknowledged uncertainties in emission projections for non-EU Parties; urged Parties to ensure submission of energy and emissions projections data by 15 Feb; invited CIAM to summarize baseline emission trends for Parties and non-Parties, and abatement options for EB_25; • (g) Agreed to address LVs for VOC contents in products in negotiations for further emission reduction.
TFEIP input • Importance of better emission and projection data! • For modelling purposes - to determine further measures needed • For reviewing compliance • Main problems? Key elements for improving emission reporting? Issues to be made mandatory in poss. revised Protocol? • Identify and propose through EMEP Steering Body
Status of the Emission Reporting Guidelines 8th Joint TFEIP/EIONET Meeting Dublin, 23-24 October 2007 Tea Aulavuo Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution
TFEIP conclusions • 18th meeting (May 2007, Dessau): • Agreed on technical changes to GL; and thanked EEA, ETC-ACC, EMEP centres; • Agreed to forward revised GL to EMEP SB_ 31 for technical acceptance; (available in 07, pending decision on legal standing and following EB endorsement)
TFEIP conclusions (2) : • Invited secretariat to inform Parties about revised GL in official letter initiating 2008 reporting round; • Agreed that reporting using revised GL and templates should start in 2009; • Recommended adding NEC total summary line in reporting tables; • (f) Stressed further need to harmonize European reporting requirements.
EMEP SB, 31st session, Sept 07 considered • (a) Main changes in revised GL from 2002 • Further harmonization (NEC, UNCCC) • Development of reporting nomenclature • Format of projected activity data • Requirement for transparency (IIRs) • Flexibility for defining EMEP grid • Status • Technical revision finalized • Open questions: legal standing, policy issues, POPs reporting • Implementation (as of 2009)
EMEP SB recommendations: • 31st session, Sept 07 • Enhanced focus on projections; Parties invited to report on projections for 2030 • and 2050; • Mandatory reporting of PM10 and PM2.5 • and IIRs • EB should adopt revised GL, as basis for reporting in 2009; bearing in mind open non-technical questions for WGSR
Legal Experts’ conclusions on Guidelines • Useful policy tool and practical guidance • Not legally binding (“should” = appropriate) • Its elements can be given legal effect (to Parties!) only through: • Provisions in Convention or Protocols • EB decisions (cf. 2002/10, 2005/1)
Legal Experts’ conclusions on Guidelines • Strengthening possible through clear, concise language; • Practical measures to reinforce implementation • Review of reporting; • Publication of findings; • Analyzing reasons for insufficient reporting; • Capacity building
WGSR at 40th session (Sept 2007): • Took note of legal experts’ conclusions and thanked them; • Reiterated importance of improving quality and comparability of emission data reported; • Invited legal experts to: • Consult with Co-Chairs of TFEIP;
WGSR_40 invited legal experts to (2): • Explore possibilities, under existing enabling clauses, to give legally binding effect to GL or parts of them for Parties; • Draft possible decisions for WGSR to recommend to EB for adoption in 08; • Elaborate on possibilities to simplify GL language (stronger, more concise and explicit); • Report to WGSR_41 in April 2008.
Further information on • Convention website http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap • TFEIP website http://tfeip-secretariat.org/unece.htm