Coming immediately after the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, which made it clear that the world is not on track to meet its climate goals, COP27 was an opportunity for countries to come together and discuss how to close the emissions gap. Some of the key outcomes of the conference included:
New fund for loss and damage: Countries agreed to establish a new fund to support developing countries suffering from climate change impacts.
Extension of the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture: The Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture process was extended, allowing countries to continue working together to find solutions to the challenges posed by climate change.
Increased ambition on adaptation: Countries agreed to increase their ambition on adaptation, which will help to protect people and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change.
Improved transparency: Countries agreed to improve their transparency on their climate action, which will help to ensure that countries are held accountable for their commitments.
After the conclusion of COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh late last year, the focus shifted to Bonn, Germany, for the 58th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB 58) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This meeting served as a platform to implement the outcomes of COP 27 and prepared parties for a roadmap towards COP 28, also known as the energy COP.
Purpose of SB 58
SBs are bodies that assist the Conference of the Parties (COP) in implementing the UNFCCC. The two permanent subsidiary bodies of the UNFCCC are the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI).
SBSTA advises COP on scientific and technological matters related to the UNFCCC, such as the causes and impacts of climate change, adaptation and mitigation potential, and technology development and transfer. SBI, on the other hand, supports COP by assessing and reviewing UNFCCC implementation, including national reports and recommendations from SBSTA and other subsidiary bodies, aiming to enhance Convention implementation.
The primary objective of SB 58 was to discuss and make progress on critical issues related to climate change, including the outcomes of COP 27, to strengthen global climate action. But while the conference did engage in discussions and address some of these issues, it fell short on reflecting the sense of urgency and ambition that the climate crisis demands.
Some of the Agenda items considered jointly by the SBSTA and SBI include:
Review of the progress, effectiveness, and performance of the Adaptation Committee:
During SB 58, the Adaptation Committee (AC) received positive feedback for its work in supporting countries' efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change. However, concerns were raised regarding representation and resources for developing countries, highlighting the need for equitable support. These concerns will be further addressed at the subsequent session, SB 59.
Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh work programme on the Global Goal on Adaptation referred to in decision 7/CMA.3:
Parties at SB 58 deliberated on a framework for achieving the Global Goal on Adaptation, which aims to enhance societies' ability to adapt to climate change impacts. Draft elements for the framework were discussed, including its purpose, dimensions, themes, and implementation approaches. These discussions will continue at SB 59, with the aim of finalising the framework.
Matters relating to the Santiago Network under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage Associated with Climate Change Impacts:
The Santiago Network for Loss and Damage was established during COP 25. The functions of the network were agreed upon during COP 26, while COP 27 focused on determining the network's structure, including the secretariat and board.
During SB 58, the task was to identify potential hosts for the secretariat of the Santiago Network. Only two proposals were submitted for consideration: one from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and another from a consortium consisting of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Parties evaluated these bids based on various factors such as global reach, technical expertise, and funding efficiency. Further discussions regarding this matter will be held during SB 59 to finalise the arrangements for the Santiago Network.
Image: Bonn Climate Conference 2023; Photo credit: UNFCCC / Flickr
Matters relating to the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement:
The Global Stocktake (GST) is an assessment and learning mechanism of the Paris Agreement, serving as the main part of the Agreement's ratcheting mechanism to increase ambition for climate action. It takes place every five years to evaluate the collective progress of countries in implementing the Paris Agreement. COP 28 will mark the conclusion of the first GST following the adoption of the Paris Rulebook in 2018.
The GST assesses the climate goals set by each country, including their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for adaptation, finance, and mitigation against the effects of climate change. It also evaluates collective global goals set by the Paris Agreement. The mechanism aims to identify successful approaches, areas of challenges and gaps, and potential solutions applicable in different contexts.
Information collected during the GST includes:
Global progress made in climate change adaptation.
Challenges and gaps hindering progress.
Opportunities and solutions to address the challenges and bridge the gap.
Good practices and tools that have proven to be effective and can be adopted elsewhere.
Factors supporting effective and transformative adaptation.
The GST is a complex process that takes up to two years to complete and involves several steps:
Information gathering: Countries submit their internal documents for review, such as National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), finance reports, and technology needs. Additionally, global scientific findings, like IPCC reports, are considered.
Technical analysis: This phase occurs mainly at the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) and involves complex and contentious discussions, often reflecting power dynamics between developing and developed countries.
Political input: After the assessment, countries are requested to update their national plans, including but not limited to actions related to protecting nature, fossil fuel divestment, and food systems transformation, among others.
During SB 58, parties expressed their preferred outcomes for the first GST. Some advocated for adopting a political declaration and a technical annexe by the Conference of the Parties (CMA). However, a group of developing countries opposed this idea, arguing that the GST should be concluded before agreeing on an annexe.
The discussions at SB 58 primarily focused on outlining elements for the October 2023 workshop aimed at developing components related to the GST outputs. A significant point of contention was whether and how the "indicative" draft structure should address funding. Developed countries insisted on including "financial flows" in the outline before discussing "means of implementation and support," while many developing countries suggested addressing the pre-2020 ambition gap and focusing on "means of implementation and support" without specifically mentioning "financial flows." These discussions will continue at SB 59.
Work programme on just transition pathways referred to in the relevant paragraphs of decision 1/CMA.4:
SB 58 focused on the concept of a "just transition," which aims to align climate action with sustainable development, ensuring that the shift to a low-carbon economy is fair and inclusive. Parties discussed the development of a work program on just transition pathways. Elements such as the scope of work, institutional arrangements, and desired outcomes were examined. A draft decision will be prepared for further consideration at future sessions.
Outcome: Parties agree to continue work on the matter at SB 59, informed by the informal note from SB 58 while inviting submissions by parties and observers on different elements of the work programme.
Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security:
The discussions involved identifying key topics for workshops and the creation of an online portal to facilitate the exchange of information and experiences. Additionally, considerations were made regarding financial support and coordination to enhance climate action in these crucial sectors.
Outcome: The SBs established the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security and agree to continue consideration of this matter at SB 59.
The climate crisis cannot wait!
Looking back, the SB 58 process generally reflected a disappointing lack of progress and a concerning level of intentional delays, indicating a broader issue in global politics hindering climate action. Parties seemed more focused on preserving their interests and avoiding accountability than addressing the urgent climate crisis. The conference was marred by agenda fights, low trust, and unpleasant behaviour, creating a fragmented atmosphere detrimental to meaningful negotiations. Looking ahead to COP 28, there are doubts about the host country's commitment to concrete outcomes, particularly concerning fossil fuel phase-out. As a youth constituency, we are deeply concerned by the detachment of the UNFCCC process from the realities of vulnerable communities. It is crucial to revolutionise the climate debate, ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and a genuine commitment to finding solutions. The urgency of the climate crisis demands swift and decisive action, holding leaders accountable and advocating for transformative change.
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Author: Peter Bulimo, Global Ambassador