9.1. Note on References

Nearly all references within this site refer to decisions under the UNFCCC, including decisions agreed by the Conference of Parties (COP) and Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA). We follow the UNFCCC’s convention in naming decisions. For decisions made by the COP, the decision numbering convention is as follows: ##/CP.##, where the first two digits refer to the decision number and the second two digits refer to the meeting of the COP by its number. For example, decision 1/CP.21 is the first decision taken by Parties at the 21st COP (COP21). For decisions made by the CMA, the same decision numbering convention applies except CP becomes CMA. For example, decision 6/CMA.1 is the sixth decision taken by Parties at the first CMA. These references are included in in-text parentheticals. The parentheticals also indicate the relevant paragraph number, and, where applicable, note whether the reference is found in an Annex to the decision. All UNFCCC decisions can be found on the UNFCCC website in all UN languages. The English version of the decisions has been used as the reference material.

 

9.2. Technical Details Methodology

This site presents technical information in two formats. First, the site includes the linkages among each of the eight elements of the Paris Agreement Rulebook discussed on the site. For each, a short description of the existing linkages—both explicit and implicit—is provided.

Second, the site includes an exploration of the technical details of the decisions for each element. In an effort to consistently present this information for each element and in an effort to structure the technical details in a way that can guide stakeholders in understanding implementation of each element, the details for each element are organized in order to respond to questions of what, who, when, and where.

The questions of what, who, where, and when are essential and basic questions applicable to nearly situation and are vital to help explain or communicate information. Because the elements of the Paris Agreement Rulebook differ between documents or inputs prepared by Parties to processes or bodies under the Paris Agreement, exploring the what, who, when, and where of each might differ. The following table outlines the approach to the questions of who, what, where, and when and the types of information that readers could expect to read and learn in each section, including distinguishing between documents prepared by Parties and processes/bodies under the Paris Agreement.

  Documents prepared by Parties (Common time frames, mitigation elements of NDC, adaptation communications, ex-ante finance communications, transparency reporting) Processes/bodies (Transparency review, global stocktake, compliance committee)
What?
  • What guidelines must Parties follow?
  • What is included in these guidelines?
  • Do the guidelines differ from previous guidelines under the Convention?
  • What happens with the communications/reports after Parties submit them?
  • What process will be followed?
  • What are the operations of the body?
Who?
  • Which Parties must adhere to the guidelines?
  • How will Parties (and/or non-Party stakeholders) engage with the process/body?
  • Who has roles in the process / on the body?
  • How is membership of the body organized?
When?
  • When do Parties communicate/report?
  • When does the process take place / the body meet?
Where?
  • In which documents do Parties communicate/report this information?
  • n/a

Note, however, that Parties have not reached full agreement on the elements of common time frames for NDCs and on cooperative implementation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Because Parties did reach a partial agreement on common time frames, some information is presented in the what, who, when, where format. Users are also directed to WRI publication on the topic from December 2019. Since Parties have failed to adopt any substantive decisions related to Article 6, the site does not explore this issue at the technical level. However, a WRI publication from December 2019 outlined seven key remaining issues in the negotiations. This site lists those key remaining issues and directs readers to learn more from the publication. The pages for both common time frames and cooperative implementation under Article 6 will be updated once Parties agree on substantive decisions.