SB62 Bonn climate conference report: some progress, but much more needs to be done

Representatives for Indigenous Peoples and the Global South continue to make their voices heard on climate

Concerns continue to be raised about the lack of support offered to countries in the Global South to help them tackle climate change, following two weeks of climate negotiations in Bonn.

This year’s preparatory meeting (SB62) for the 30th United Nations’ Climate Change Conference (COP30) left a series of questions unanswered, including around financial packages for poorer countries impacted by extreme weather patterns.   

However, there was some progress made on plans for a socially just transition towards greener energy, with the hope that this momentum can be maintained at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in November.  

Richard Solly, Campaigns and Advocacy Officer at Jesuit Missions who attended the conference in Germany, said it is clear much more needs to be done to secure genuine climate justice for poorer countries, accusing richer nations of “blocking” this process.

But he welcomed the work of campaigners in moving the conversation around a just energy transition.

“The bright spot in these talks was that climate campaigners, and representatives of workers, Indigenous Peoples and the Global South, have forced rich countries to start serious discussion of a just transition away from fossil fuels, one that will not throw fossil fuel workers on the scrap heap or wreck other communities by expanded mining of so-called ‘green’ minerals,” he said.

He also praised the number of faith organisations in attendance, notably several Catholic groups, including various Jesuit ones, who continue to work together for climate justice for all.

A number of Catholic groups were present in Bonn

Jesuit Missions has consistently raised awareness of the devastating impact climate change can have on several of its Jesuit partner organisations in the Global South.

It continues to engage in the annual COPs (Conference of the Parties), including financially supporting one of its partner organisations, the Centre Arrupe Madagascar, at last year’s summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

This year, it is once again involved in the Jesuits for Climate Justice campaign, working with other Jesuit organisations across the world, including the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat in Rome, Jesuit European Social Centre in Brussels, and Jesuítas Brasil, calling on global leaders to take quick and decisive action on the environment.

Stephen Power SJ, Chairman of the Jesuit Missions’ Management Board, said it is vital for groups such as these to highlight the seriousness of climate change.

“The COP in November is perhaps the most important one since COP21 set up the Paris agreements, where the need to keep the world on track for a less than 1.5C degree change was first projected. Now, we are reaching a make-or-break point for keeping in any way close to that target.

“There is also the drive to fund adequately poorer countries to manage the transition of all of us to a sustainable world. We, as a global society, are way ‘behind the curve’ of doing what is needed. 

“Fortunately, hope is sustained by all of us working for as much progress on climate friendly policies as possible. The Bonn meeting was part of that work.”

For more detail on the outcomes of the conference, click here.

More news