The 2023 Bonn climate conference saw limited progress on key issues such as GHG emission cuts and the Global Stocktake. Talks remained in stasis due to a disagreement between countries that want to discuss emission cuts and those that do not. COP28 chief Dr Sultan Al Jaber suggested that a fossil fuel phasedown is now “inevitable” and a target to triple renewable energy by 2030 is on the cards. However, his position was overshadowed by claims of undue influence from the ADNOC oil company and criticism of the UAE’s agenda.
— UNCS News (@UNClimateSummit) June 9, 2023
Climate experts analyse Bonn climate talks week one progress and a look ahead to week 2
With so much at stake, the upcoming Paris finance summit has become a source of pressure for achieving climate goals. While Canada and Germany have promised that the $100bn will be landed in 2023, the LSE suggests that $1 trillion is needed annually by 2030. Hope for what Paris might achieve seems muted. Meanwhile, the fate of COP29 in 2024 hangs in the balance, with Russia vetoing Bulgaria and any other EU-aligned countries that could host the Eastern Europe destined meet.
The first week of the 2023 Bonn climate conference was plagued by stasis and controversy. While there are some signs of progress, such as the suggestion of a fossil fuel phasedown, much work remains to be done. With pressure mounting and the fate of future conferences uncertain, the international community must come together to address the urgent issue of climate change.
Key Issues in Bonn
Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) and the Global Stocktake (GST)
There is a lack of clear proposals on what the review should deliver. The MWP aims to help countries work out how to meet the mandated 43% GHG cuts on 1990 levels by 2030, but hopes for its success are low as oil-producing LMDC countries oppose any final outcome. The GST, a two-year UN review of global actions, is due to be published later in 2023, but many countries remain unclear about what it should deliver.
Loss & Damage Fund
Another important issue is the Loss & Damage fund agreed at COP27, which may be funded with oil and gas cash. Rich countries are being urged to contribute to this fund, which is not about development or reducing emissions, but about regaining lost development achievements by developing countries. However, UAE officials seem confident that they can land the fund in six months’ time. On a positive note, the UN climate body has launched a new accountability initiative to track business and regional progress on climate, which will rate companies and local governments using the ten commandments of the UN’s High-level Expert Group, released at COP27.
COP29
The fate of COP29 in 2024 is uncertain, with Russia vetoing Bulgaria and any other EU-aligned countries that could host the Eastern Europe destined meet. The upcoming Paris finance summit has become a source of pressure for achieving climate goals, with hopes for its success muted. The lack of progress at COP28 has led to criticism aimed at COP28 chief Sultan Al Jaber’s ties to the ADNOC oil company.
Accountability
The UN climate body launched a new accountability initiative to track business & regional progress on climate. Companies and local governments will be rated using the ten commandments of the UN’s High-level Expert Group, released at COP27. According to UN climate boss Simon Stiell, “The purpose of the framework is to give enhanced recognition to non-Party stakeholders that are delivering on commitments.”
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