FCCC/CP/2015/7

FCCC/CP/2015/7
II. Synthesis report on the aggregate effect of the intended
nationally determined contributions
[English only]
A. Mandate and background
71. The COP, by decision 1/CP.17, launched a process to develop a protocol, another
legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to
all Parties for adoption at COP 21 and to come into effect and be implemented from 2020.
In accordance with that decision, the work under the process was to be undertaken by the
ADP and be completed as early as possible, but no later than 2015. 19
72. By decision 1/CP.19, the COP invited all Parties to initiate or intensify domestic
preparations for their INDCs, without prejudice to the legal nature of the contributions, in
the context of adopting a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal
force under the Convention applicable to all Parties towards achieving the objective of the
Convention as set out in its Article 2, and to communicate those INDCs to the secretariat
well in advance of COP 21 (by the first quarter of 2015 by those Parties ready to do so) in a
manner that facilitates the clarity, transparency and understanding of them. 20
73. The COP, by decision 1/CP.20, reiterated its invitation to Parties to communicate
their INDCs 21 and agreed that each Party’s INDC towards achieving the objective of the
Convention as set out in its Article 2 will represent a progression beyond the current
undertaking of that Party. 22 It also agreed that the least developed countries (LDCs) and
small island developing States may communicate information on strategies, plans and
actions for low GHG emission development reflecting their special circumstances in the
context of their INDCs. 23 Finally, all Parties were invited to consider communicating their
undertakings in adaptation planning or to consider including an adaptation component in
their INDCs. 24
74. Also by decision 1/CP.20, the COP agreed that the information to be provided by
Parties communicating their INDCs, in order to facilitate clarity, transparency and
understanding, may include, as appropriate, inter alia, quantifiable information on the
reference point (including, as appropriate, a base year), time frames and/or periods for
implementation, scope and coverage, planning processes, assumptions and
methodological approaches, including those for estimating and accounting for
anthropogenic GHG emissions and, as appropriate, removals, as well as information on
how the Party considers that its INDC is fair and ambitious, in the light of its national
circumstances, and how it contributes towards achieving the objective of the Convention
as set out in its Article 2. 25
19 Decision 1/CP.17, paragraphs 2–4.
20 Decision 1/CP.19, paragraph 2(b).
21 Decision 1/CP.20, paragraph 9.
22 Decision 1/CP.20, paragraph 10.
23 Decision 1/CP.20, paragraph 11.
24 Decision 1/CP.20, paragraph 12.
25 Decision 1/CP.20, paragraph 14.
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