Bonn, 27 June 2025 The latest round of UN climate intersessional negotiations (SB62) concluded in Bonn with some progress on the just transition agenda, but little movement on finance or mitigation. As geopolitical tensions mount and trust in international cooperation erodes, the EU must now use its political leverage to help secure a fair and ambitious outcome at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
The technical talks, held from 16 – 26 June, unfolded in a tense global context, with the ongoing siege in Gaza, escalating violence between Iran and Israel, and growing frustration from global south countries following the disappointing climate finance decisions at COP29. Despite this, Parties present in Bonn managed to advance in some key areas, most notably just transition, laying the groundwork for a potential decision at COP30 on a global cooperation mechanism.
Just Transition
“There is a socio-ecological imperative to close the 1.5°C gap” said James Trinder, International Climate Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe. “Bonn’s progress on just transition shows growing recognition that shifting away from fossil fuels must be fair and people-centred. The EU must now drive a breakthrough on a whole-of-economy international just transition at COP30, one that empowers workers and communities, not just industries.”
Negotiators agreed to use a new informal note document as the basis for talks on just transition in the run-up to COP30. The note outlines key challenges facing countries, workers and communities in delivering inclusive transitions, from social protection to skills development, and opens the door to a structured, global approach under the UNFCCC.
Climate Finance
Progress in other areas was blocked by entrenched positions. Finance negotiations remained gridlocked, with rich countries calling for a formal agenda item on climate finance obligations, particularly public and grant-based finance. The EU and other global north countries resisted, focusing instead on leveraging private finance, despite growing evidence that the “billions to trillions” mantra is failing to deliver.
“The shadow of the disastrous COP29 finance outcome hung over Bonn” said Rachel Simon, Senior Coordinator International Finance and Development at CAN Europe. “The EU continues to downplay its responsibilities and shift the burden to the private sector, but this isn’t working. To unlock ambition, the EU must support structural reform: tackle the sovereign debt crisis, end fossil fuel subsidies, and raise public finance through fossil fuel and taxes on the super rich.”
Countries also discussed Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement: the need to align financial flows with climate goals. Civil society groups underscored that rich countries, where the magnitude of fossil fuel subsidies and investment happen, must lead the phaseout of fossil fuel finance. Without clear accountability and public financing, low-income countries remain locked into fossil extraction and unable to build climate resilience.
Mitigation
On mitigation, attention turned to the looming deadline for the new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by September. While many countries have submitted already, and more updated Bonn on their preparations – only Norway announced a new NDC during the negotiations, targeting 70 – 72% emission reductions by 2035 compared to 1990. According to new analysis from Climate Action Tracker, no country has yet strengthened its 2030 target, despite the need to halve emissions this decade to stay below 1.5°C.
“The world needs bold NDCs, not more delay” said Sven Harmeling, Head of Climate at CAN Europe. “The EU must finalise its NDC and use upcoming summits with China, India and Latin America to rally others. COP30 must restore global confidence in collective climate action.”
The EU has so far committed to submitting its NDC together with the announcement of the proposal for a 2040 target, due on 2 July. Negotiators in Bonn did not formally discuss individual targets, but the talks offered a chance for countries to learn from each other’s processes and timelines in an NDC Dialogue.
Other areas covered in Bonn included adaptation, agriculture, gender, and carbon markets, with incremental technical progress. Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over COP30 logistics, with delegates warning that a lack of affordable and adequate accommodation in Belém could undermine the Brazilian government’s promise of an inclusive and equitable summit – especially for civil society and lower-income countries.
ENDS
Notes to the editor:
For more information and media requests:
Tomas Spragg Nilsson, Senior Communications Officer: tomas.spraggnilsson@caneurope.org
