Bonn Climate Conference 2024
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Zero Agreement as Curtain Comes Down at Bonn
Bonn closed without any significant outcomes on key programmes such as the climate finance goal. This was because developed countries refused to discuss figures.
No Negotiations were on the schedule today apart from the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). CSOs did not stop demanding an ambitious new collective quantified goal on climate finance.
Power Shift Africa Director Mohamed Adow termed the SB60s as the "Worst Bonn in 15 Years". He highlighted the lack of goodwill from rich countries as the fundamental reason the SB60s bore no fruit. He says that despite developing countries being ravaged by the impacts of climate change, rich countries still lack urgency over the state of the planet.
At the Climate Action Network presser, Mariana Paoli the Global Advocacy Lead at Christian Aid, highlighted that linking discussions on the contributors base to the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) negotiations was highly irresponsible, reflecting a broader lack of political engagement in delivering and enhancing ambition.
Alden Meyer, from E3G, pointed out the absurdity of spending $3.5 billion daily to subsidize fossil fuels, describing it as insane. He stressed the urgent need for trillions of dollars to address adaptation, loss, and damage, underscoring widespread impacts that continue to affect communities worldwide.
And as the talks came to a close, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell in his closing remarks spoke on the need for progress on finance, urging more action outside of the process. He stressed the importance of separating technical issues from political ones to advance towards specific goals, especially concerning climate finance.
Stiell underscored the importance of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). He emphasized that strong NDCs are essential for unlocking additional finance and achieving meaningful climate action at a national level.
As the world looks for a positive result on the NCQG in Baku, it is important to note that the world as we know it may change forever and future people of Earth may never enjoy some of the privileges that developed countries have destroyed in their quest for fossil fuels and industrialization.
Developed countries owe past, current and future obligations to the planet. Mother Nature will collect.
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What Do We Want? Climate Finance! When Do We Want It? Now!
The day kicks off with a peaceful protest by civil society outside the World Conference Centre Bonn. Why are CSOs bringing the heat on this cold Tuesday morning? They want the G7 leaders to pay up & deliver climate finance now!
The Bonn Climate Change Conference is the middle point between COP28 in Dubai and the next UN climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan just shy of 5 months. Expectations were high when delegates congregated at the WCC Bonn. However, the talks have taken an ugly path with rich countries stalling the Climate Finance conversation.
The peaceful action staged by different social movements and grassroots organizations, especially in the Global South demanded climate finance delivery, loss and damage and adaptation finance, debt cancellation, tax justice, and ending fossil fuel finance.
At the root of this action, is the failure of developed countries to give a figure when it comes to climate finance commitments. The refusal by the Global North to give a specific number could see the UNFCCC Climate talks closing without a consensus agreement on Climate finance.
Progress was made on the Agriculture and food security front after delegates managed to reach an agreement, including on what to address at future workshops.
The overall picture remains one of frustration and urgency.
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No Blues This Monday
Delegates were up early ready to deliver on their mandates. However, very little progress is being made on matters of finance and civil societies have turned the pressure up, noting that the road to Baku has thus far been murky.
The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) was among the heated discussions of the day.
Developed countries argue they cannot provide all the funding alone and call for a global effort, with contributions from wealthier developing nations, including Gulf countries.
Developing countries insist that developed nations have the financial capacity but lack the political will to prioritize climate change, a position that has vehemently been denied by CSOs
Another point of contention is whether to include a sub-target for loss and damage within the NCQG. Developing nations support this inclusion, but developed countries oppose it, arguing that the Paris Agreement does not mandate liability or compensation and that climate finance should only focus on mitigation and adaptation.
Executive Secretary Simon Stiell called upon parties to submit their first Biennial Transparency Reports under the Paris Agreement ahead of COP 29. He noted that reporting is an opportunity to learn, design more effective policies, unlock finance, and direct resources where they are most needed.
"Every country starts this process from a different place. But we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Nobody is expecting countries facing enormous human and economic challenges to submit a platinum-standard report the first time around. I encourage you all to submit the best possible report you can, this year," Stiell said.
A milestone was achieved after delegates reached an agreement in discussions on the Local Community and Indigenous Peoples Platform.
During the Climate Action Network press conference, Power Shift Africa, Director Mohamed Adow and Sven Hermeling, Head of Climate, CAN Europe spoke extensively on the need for Climate Finance and demanded action from developing countries.
Adow noted that negotiators from developed countries at the Bonn climate summit were undermining key outcomes from last year's COP28 in Dubai by backtracking on their commitments to accelerate climate finance discussions.
"Rich countries have always dragged their feet when it comes to paying their fair share to tackle the climate crisis – a crisis their emissions have caused. That approach is simply unacceptable. The new long-term climate finance goal is the key issue at this year’s COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan and talks are going at a snail’s pace in Bonn."
Hermeling, speaking in the backdrop of the just concluded EU elections, challenged the new European parliament to have the political Will to confront the climate crisis. Harmeling expressed optimism that the new parliament, regardless of its political composition, must tackle the climate crisis head-on.
"... the new parliament will have to face the old planet, the challenges remain the same for the new parliamentarians. We are confronted with the heavy tolls from the climate crisis in Europe, in the region... but of course, in many other parts of the world it is even worse and on an even larger scale..." he said.
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Negotiation Frenzy: Bonn's SB60 Day 6 Highlights
Welcome to Day 6 of the SB60 in Bonn, where the climate negotiations are as hot as the weather outside! From adaptation plans to financial goals, parties have been navigating through a maze of discussions, each more intense than the last.
Although it's a Saturday, today’s negotiations were a whirlwind of demands for stronger language, calls for transparency, and the usual tug-of-war over who should lead the charge.
Here's a snapshot of the developments:
National Adaptation Plans
Parties agreed that the draft decision text is a good basis for further negotiations.
LDCs, with AOSIS and the EU, called for stronger language recognizing the special needs and circumstances of SIDS and LDCs in all relevant paragraphs of the text.
The EU and Grenada suggested stronger language on gender-sensitive approaches to the implementation of NAPs.
Canada said the text should indicate utilizing NAPs to facilitate climate action, with contributions from Indigenous Peoples.
Global Goal on Adaptation
In the lively realm of informal consultations, parties weighed in on a revised informal note. The G-77/CHINA suggested that while the Adaptation Committee (AC) could contribute to the mapping process on indicators, it shouldn't lead. AOSIS cautioned that if the AC took the lead, it might politicize the process and result in a transparency black hole.
The African Group championed the importance of a party-driven nomination system, emphasizing the need for diversity in gender, skills, and experience. AILAC, GRUPO SUR, and EIG gave a thumbs up to the provision recognizing the importance of involving Indigenous Peoples at every phase of the work under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). AOSIS and LMDCs cautioned on the potential burden of increased reporting for developing countries.
Loss and Damage Associated with Climate Change Impacts
During the presentation, efforts were made to streamline the document, structure the section on scope, and consider modalities. Some took exception to their suggested list of inputs being relegated to a footnote instead of the main body of the text. On scope, there was support for a broad review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM) and its functions, with a push for including stakeholders from outside the Convention. There were also suggestions for the review to reflect on the establishment of the new loss and damage fund. However, the idea of renegotiating the composition of the WIM Executive Committee faced strong opposition.
New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance
Parties suggested further streamlining, with various groups wanting certain elements removed, inserted, or reinserted.
Some groups called for a focus on the goal's quantum, with others seeking clarity on provision and mobilization targets. There was agreement on the importance of public finance from developed countries, with suggestions for informal engagement to address the finance gap.
As the sun sets on Day 6, one thing is clear: the climate conversation in Bonn is just getting started. Stay tuned for more fiery debates and breakthrough moments.
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Day 5, Business Unusual: SB60 Hit By Wave of Climate Showdowns
Today, business was unusual. Civil Society Organizations decided to turn the heat up inside and outside the World Conference Centre Bonn as the SB60s kicked off for day 5. Accountability was the only meal on the menu.
Activists held a peaceful Action in front of the Chamber Hall before negotiators started the last session of the 3rd Glasgow Dialogue on Loss & Damage. The activists demanded tangible results and called for finance towards the loss and damage fund ahead of this year's COP29 in Baku.
Rich countries were spotlighted for undermining the Loss And Damage as a sub-goal into the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). Their actions have been termed a betrayal to vulnerable communities who are feeling the wrath of Mother Nature, despite contributing the least to the climate crisis.
To stir things up, climate activists held to pitched camp outside the WCCB TO remind the policymakers that there can be no Climate Justice without Human Rights. They sounded a warning to fossil fuel corporations fueling the climate crisis and enabling the ongoing war in Palestine.
Power Shift Africa Executive Director Mohamed Adow spoke at the Climate Action Network (CAN) International press conference, where he pointed out the hypocrisy of developing countries - which are also the world's biggest polluters - to walk the halls of a climate change conference, interfering in and impeding efforts to stave off the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Mohamed called for more protection of climate negotiations from fossil fuel interests.
As the day comes to a close the Actions of civil society made it clearer that climate justice must go hand-in-hand with holding the biggest polluters accountable.
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A Day of Strong Voices Against Carbon Markets & Geoengineering
Day 4 started with active consultations with youth negotiators. A highlight of the day was the vibrant global stocktake dialogue. This forum is a powerhouse for sharing insights and best practices on leveraging global stocktake outcomes to enhance nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
The day was marked by bold statements and demonstrations from climate activists. The Hands Off Mother Earth (HOME!) Alliance delegation staged peaceful protests against the ongoing negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which proposes carbon trading and offsetting. The activists also voiced their displeasure with the ongoing "Oceans Dialogue," terming it a gateway for geoengineering.
Downstairs, Climate Justice activists seized delegates' attention with a powerful, peaceful protest demanding urgent action on Food Systems. They called for food sovereignty, denouncing false solutions and dangerous distractions like carbon markets that fail to address the climate crisis.
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Insights from Day Three at SB60
Climate discussions are heating up at Bonn. Our team pitched camp at the Climate Action Network press conference where Erika Lennon, a Senior Attorney at the Centre for International Environmental Law, critically addressed the pitfalls of carbon markets and offsets. She emphasized that "Carbon Markets and offsets are a dangerous destruction," underscoring the urgent need for tangible action in the climate crisis. Lennon called for a "full, fast, and fair phase-out of all fossil fuels" and the cessation of deforestation and forest degradation.
In her submission, Erika pointed out the ineffectiveness of carbon markets, stating that "credits being sold do not represent real reductions and are not additional action and neither are they permanent." Additionally, she warned about the negative impacts on communities and Indigenous peoples, concluding that climate actions infringing on human rights are not the solutions we need.
J.P. Amaral, Head of Nature at the Alana Institute, shifted the compass to the immediate climate risks faced by children. "We have to stop thinking of children as future generations that will be four times more impacted by climate change because they already are impacted today," he urged. To paint a picture of the severity of the situation, he reminded the room that 1 billion children are at climate risk, which is half of the world's child population.
Amaral pointed out that 33 million children have suffered from hunger due to climate change in the past five years. Despite a dialogue involving 52 parties, only two children participated, which he attributed to the short time frames for nominations.
Maheen Khan, Senior Advisor for International Climate Resilience at WWF Netherlands, lamented the slow progress in addressing climate impacts on vulnerable communities. "Climate impacts are exacerbating and creating unlivable conditions for the most vulnerable communities in the world," she said. Khan discussed the lengthy timeline of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), noting that it has taken 14 years to gain traction, to conclude assessments by COP29 and to have robust plans by 2025. To sum up, she reminded the participants of the lengthy approval process for funding, which can take up to nine years from submission to implementation.
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Climate Action on Agriculture and Food Security
The informal negotiations saw parties stress on time limitations when it comes to implementing climate action for agriculture.
Parties agreed to continue the discussion on the operationalization of the joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security
Just Transition Work Programme
The key agreements included: tailoring just transition actions to local contexts and national circumstances; building on a whole-of-government approach; and aligning with Paris Agreement goals while including the rights of workers, Indigenous Peoples, and other vulnerable groups.
Children and Climate Change
Expert dialogue underscored the severe impact of climate change on children, from health to education. Solutions provided included: giving children a voice in climate discussions.
Youth activist Francisco Vera called for a children's COP.
Technology and Financial Mechanisms
Discussions centred on linking Technology and Financial Mechanisms on facilitating project funding, multi-year planning, and enhancing support for technology needs assessments. There were calls for stronger partnerships and tailored support mechanisms.
Gender Action Plan
Day two of the Gender Action Plan event addressed the need to move from planning to implementation, using gender-disaggregated data, and adopting an intersectional lens with a focus on linkages to climate finance goals.
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Day one of the June UN Climate Meetings (60th Subsidiary Bodies) was marked by long queues and protests from activists right outside the World Conference Centre at Bonn as delegates streamed in for the opening of the SB60.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell kicked off the meetings by recapping the urgent priorities for global climate action. He highlighted the critical role of finance, urging delegates to develop options for a new collective quantified goal and explore innovative financing sources.
In his speech, Stiell highlighted the importance of the new round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0). He also called for ambitious and comprehensive plans that include benefits for women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and vulnerable communities.
He also underscored the need for robust transparency frameworks, with Parties required to submit their first Biennial Transparency Reports this year to build a strong evidence base for climate ambition.
On impacts and adaptation, Stiell called for all Parties to develop and implement National Adaptation Plans by 2025.
He also commended civil society for its role in ensuring inclusive and equitable climate action.
During the opening, the sessions had to be suspended twice; once after activists Tasneem Essop and Anabella Rosemberg held a peaceful protest showing their support for Gaza. Both activists were escorted out of the premises by UN police officers and they were de-badged.
The session was suspended a second time after Russia blocked the adoption of the agenda because four of their delegation members had not received visas. This was resolved and the session resumed.
Some of the standout discussions of the day included setting a new goal on climate finance by the end of 2024, and expert dialogue on children and climate change, which looked in detail at the impacts faced by children.
The push for the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) also took center stage.
