JISC 25 -- Report of the twenty-fifth meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee

JISC 25 -- Report of the twenty-fifth meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee

The report of the twenty-fifth meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (21-22 June 2011), including its annexes, is available on
the UNFCCC JI website, at:
<http://ji.unfccc.int/Sup_Committee/Meetings/index.html>.
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Annex 1 - Transitional measures for accrediting applicant independent entities that have been issued an indicative letter in accordance with the JI accreditation procedure
Annex 2 - Procedures on public availability of documents under the verification procedure under the Joint Implementation Committee
Annex 3 - Procedures for reviews under the verification procedure under the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee
Annex 4 - Procedures for appraisals of determinations under the verification procedure under the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee
Annex 5 - Status of resources and contributions
Annex 6 - Terms of reference for the Designated Focal Point Forum
Annex 7 - Communication and outreach work plan
Annex 8 - Tentative calendar of meetings of the JISC and the JI-AP for 2011
Annex 9 - Provisional agenda of twenty-sixth meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee

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Highlights -- Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee, 25th meeting
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Bonn, 22 June 2011 -– At its 25th meeting the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC) took decisions expected to significantly increase availability of project assessment services and raise awareness and participation in the mechanism. The JISC also took its first steps in preparing options for consideration by the Kyoto Protocol Parties intended to build on the approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions embodied in the JI mechanism.

The Committee adopted changes to its accreditation procedures that will enable third-party certifiers under the mechanism -- so-called accredited independent entities -- to be accredited after completing the first two steps of the three-part procedures, subject to a focussed assessment of performance. The decision is expected to increase the number of entities from three to about 13 on 1 August.

The JISC, with the intention of increasing efficiency and focusing more of its attention on its key supervisory role, has given more responsibility to its roster of experts to assess the technical merits of projects. In a complementary decision, the Committee increased the size of its roster from 15 to 29 experts.

In an effort to enhance understanding among stakeholders and policy makers about the benefits of JI in addressing climate change, the JISC also adopted a communication strategy and complementary work plan for the remainder of 2011. As well, the JISC agreed terms of reference for a forum of JI national designated focal points, the aim of which is to facilitate sharing of experience, and, ultimately to increase participation in JI.

"The Joint Implementation mechanism is a mature, well-functioning tool that companies and countries have at their disposal now to focus investment on emission reduction. At each meeting, the JISC takes decisions that enhance the mechanism, to better serve present stakeholders, and make the tool increasingly valuable going forward," said JISC Chair Mr. Muhammed Quamrul Chowdhury.

As instructed by the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Cancun, Mexico, last December, the JISC has begun a process to review the JI mechanism. The JISC at its meeting agreed on a course of work to complete the review, which will include recommendations that build on the JI approach, in time for the next meeting of the Parties in Durban in November.

"There's a lot of potential for a further harmonized and evolved joint implementation mechanism in the future. Our job is not only to implement the mechanism but to make proposals on what the mechanism can look like in the future, in order for it to reach its full potential to mitigate climate change," said Vice-Chair Mr. Wolfgang Seidel.

The JISC held a day-long roundtable discussion with key stakeholder groups on Monday in Bonn. Much of the discussion in that event informed the deliberations of the JISC at its 25th meeting.