THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN

Bonn, 12 - 16 June 2000
SBSTA/SBI 12

METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES
(a) LAND-USE, LAND-USE CHANGE AND FORESTRY

1. Land use, land use change and forestry is an important issue for Japan's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Japan appreciates the strenuous efforts of the IPCC experts in completion and acceptance of the Special Report on Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry as well as approval of its Summary for Policymakers at the IPCC Plenary 16. Japan also welcomes the report as the basis of scientific information. Now we should strive to advance deliberations in order to reach a successful agreement at COP6. According to the decisions at COP4 and COP5, we need to take a decision at COP6 relating to the definitions of activities under Article 3.3 and modalities, rules and guidelines for the selection of additional activities under Article 3.4. Japan affirms that this decision at COP6 should operationalize the provision of Article 3.3 and enable additional activities under Article 3.4 to be applied to the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.
2. To facilitate the consultation process, Japan proposes that the chairman of SBSTA should prepare a document for negotiation toward COP6 decisions based on proposals to be submitted by Parties by 1 August for consideration at SBSTA 13.
3. Japan believes criteria and guiding principles for additional activities under Article 3.4 should be determined in light of contributing to the objectives and principles of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. With respect to August submissions of data relating to article 3.3 and 3.4, a format should be so designed as to enable the Parties to submit simple and clear information that would help negotiations move forward toward COP6.