The Bonn Climate Change Conference has concluded after a productive two weeks of deliberations, paving the way for key decisions at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) later this year.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted the potential for consensus, stating, “There are bridges that can be built to realize the common ground we know exists.” The conference achieved notable advancements in crucial areas such as the global stocktake, climate finance, loss and damage, and adaptation.
Stiell emphasized the importance of the global stocktake, slated to conclude at COP28, as a crucial opportunity to redirect efforts and align with the temperature targets outlined in the Paris Agreement. While acknowledging the insufficiency of current pledges and their implementation, Stiell asserted, “The response to the stocktake will determine our success – the success of COP28, and far more importantly, success in stabilizing our climate.”
Throughout the Bonn conference, participants engaged in the final technical dialogue of the first global stocktake, setting the stage for more ambitious climate action.
The dialogue encompassed a range of roundtables and events held over six days, addressing issues such as mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and means of implementation.
A forthcoming synthesis report, scheduled for early September, will compile the key findings from the three dialogues, providing technical insights, good practices, and lessons learned to guide Parties and stakeholders towards course correction and the achievement of Paris Agreement goals.
In addition to the stocktake, the Bonn Climate Conference focused on climate finance, with an emphasis on ensuring adequate and predictable support for climate action in developing countries. Parties agreed to establish a new collective quantified goal on climate finance by 2024. Structural elements for a Dubai decision regarding the global goal on adaptation were also agreed upon.
The second Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage furnished valuable information for advancing the operationalization of funding arrangements and a new fund dedicated to addressing loss and damage.
Discussions revolved around optimizing support from existing funding mechanisms, with considerations of coherence, complementarity, and coordination.
Recommendations on operationalizing the new fund and funding arrangements will be put forth by the Transitional Committee for adoption at COP28.
The Bonn conference boasted a significant increase in participation, bringing together over 4,800 individuals from across the globe, including indigenous peoples, local communities, businesses, cities, and civil society representatives, including youth and children.
These diverse voices showcased their efforts in tackling climate change while highlighting the challenges that lie ahead.
COP28 is scheduled to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
Preceding the conference, four Regional Climate Weeks will be organized: Africa Climate Week in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 4-8; Middle East and North Africa Climate Week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 8-12; Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week in Panama City, Panama, from October 23-27; and Asia-Pacific Climate Week in Johor, Malaysia (dates to be announced soon).
