Review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts
The Conference of the Parties,Recalling that decision 2/CP.19 established the Warsaw International Mechanism to address loss and damage associated with impacts of climate change, including extreme events and slow onset events, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, as well as its role of promoting the implementation of approaches to address this issue in a comprehensive, integrated and coherent manner,Recognizing the role of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts in guiding the implementation of the functions of the Warsaw International Mechanism,Recalling that, by decision 2/CP.19, it decided to review the Warsaw International Mechanism, including its structure, mandate and effectiveness, at its twenty-second session, with a view to adopting an appropriate decision on the outcome of this review,Also recalling decisions 3/CP.18, 2/CP.19, 2/CP.20, 1/CP.21 and 2/CP.21 and the Paris Agreement, in particular its Article 8,1.Recommends further guidance relevant to enhancing and strengthening the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts, having considered the mandate, structure and effectiveness of the Warsaw International Mechanism at the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties, as referred to in paragraphs 2–5 below;2.Also recommends that:(a)There be a process to periodically review the Warsaw International Mechanism and that reviews take place no more than five years apart;(b)The next review be held in 2019, and that the periodicity of future reviews be decided at that time;(c)Future reviews of the Warsaw International Mechanism should consider, inter alia, progress on the implementation of the workplan of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts as well as its long-term vision that guides ways in which the Warsaw International Mechanism may be enhanced and strengthened, as appropriate;(d)The subsidiary bodies finalize terms of reference for each review of the Warsaw International Mechanism at least six months prior to the review being undertaken;(e)The subsidiary bodies take into consideration inputs and submissions from Parties and relevant organizations, as appropriate, when developing the terms of reference referred to in paragraph 2(d) above;(f)As an input to the review in 2019, a technical paper be prepared by the secretariat elaborating the sources of financial support, as provided through the Financial Mechanism, for addressing loss and damage as described in relevant decisions, as well as modalities for accessing such support;(g)The technical paper referred to in paragraph 2(f) above include an elaboration of finance available for addressing loss and damage as described in relevant decisions, outside the Financial Mechanism, as well as the modalities for accessing it;(h)The secretariat be assisted by the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism in determining the scope of the technical paper referred to in paragraph 2(f) above, with a view to making the paper available to Parties by the fiftieth sessions of the subsidiary bodies (June 2019) for consideration in the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism;3.Recognizes that the Executive Committee may enhance its effectiveness by prioritizing activities in thematic areas for further work;4.Recommends that the following may advance the work of the Executive Committee:(a)Enhancing collaboration, cooperation and partnerships with bodies, entities and work programmes, including the Paris Committee on Capacity-building, within and outside the Convention;(b)Considering the establishment of, as appropriate, additional expert groups, subcommittees, panels, thematic advisory groups or focused working groups to assist it in conducting its work and supporting its efforts to enhance action and support for loss and damage as provided for in decision 2/CP.19, paragraph 5(c)(i–iii);(c)Improving access to, and interaction with, relevant scientific and technical panels, bodies and expertise available to the Warsaw International Mechanism, its Executive Committee and substructures over time, including by, inter alia, inviting relevant organizations at all levels and scientific research organizations with expertise in science relevant to loss and damage to ensure that the best available science is highlighted in the work of the Warsaw International Mechanism;(d)Inviting interested Parties to establish a loss and damage contact point through their respective UNFCCC national focal point, with a view to enhancing the implementation of approaches to address loss and damage associated with the adverse impacts of climate change at the national level;5.Invites the Paris Committee on Capacity-building, within the scope of its workplan, to consider a future theme on addressing loss and damage;6.Requests that the actions of the secretariat called for in this decision be undertaken subject to the availability of financial resources.