What happened at the Bonn Summit 2025?

“We need to go further, faster, and fairer” was the official opening remark of the UNFCCC executive secretary, Simon Stiell’s speech at the closing plenary of the UN June Climate Meetings (SB62) on 27 June 2025, in Bonn, Germany. This was after his shortened opening speech after the official adoption of the agenda at the Bonn Summit 2025 - “Time is short. So, let’s get to work.” 

What followed, after eight days, was a mixed bag of outcomes, considering the key topics expected at the summit's opening.

Delegates gather to hear about the roadmap to achieving USD1.3 trillion in climate finance (Credit: IISD/ENB - Kiara Worth)

The Bonn Summit is a crucial precursor to COP30, aiming to accelerate climate action. With this in mind, the Brazilian COP30 Presidency entered the meeting, focusing on: 

1. Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) 

2. Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) 

3. Global Stocktake (GST)

More details can be found in the Brazilian presidency's third letter. 

Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP)

While the negotiations surrounding just transition had disagreements on the language regarding finance, trade issues (including a unilateral trade mechanism), 1.5°C pathways, and human rights, the parties agreed to an informal note and sent it for further negotiations at COP30.  

The note: 

1. Recognised that a just transition is part of the national contributions and climate plans, highlighting the importance of a fair transition. 

2. Included options of possible new institutional arrangements that can result in holistic transition pathways 

3. Included options displaying the importance of access to clean and sustainable energy that can help with transitioning away from fossil fuels.  

   
   

While the note is not an exact final agreement, it presents a promising scenario for progress at the COP30 negotiations. 

There was also positive progress in the Gender Action Programme (GAP). The Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) began developing a new gender action plan, incorporating feedback from the enhanced Lima work programme on gender and a recent technical workshop, which saw good participation from Parties and observers. SBI plans to keep discussing this with the aim of proposing a draft decision for the new gender action plan to be adopted at COP 30.  

Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) 

Adaptation was a key focus of the summit, but the outcomes were unsatisfactory, although better than those of COP29. Countries are supposed to agree on a set of about 100 indicators by COP30 to measure progress in adaptation. Currently, 490 indicators exist across various sectors, including food, water, and health.  Intense negotiations showed disagreements over indicator formulation, financial support, and adaptation finance. The draft called for streamlining headline indicators, with a report due by August 2025.

Financial indicator issues remained contentious, with developed nations demanding transparency, while developing countries highlighted the widening adaptation finance gap and called for tripling funding.

No agreement was reached on the Baku Adaptation Roadmap or transformational adaptation, and these topics were set aside for further discussion at COP30. The Bonn summit ended without a formal agreement on the GGA or National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

The Global Stocktake (GST)

In his fourth public letter, the COP30 president called for collective action from the public and private sectors to implement key goals of the Global Stocktake (GST). He announced 30 thematic areas under six axes, including universal energy access, solid waste management, and combating climate change misinformation. COP30 CEO Ana Toni stated that each axis would have a pavilion at COP30 in Belém for delegate discussions. These steps may help various parties address specific aspects of the GST response.   

The stocktake in Bonn revealed significant divisions. Developed countries, small island states, LDCs, and the Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC) are seeking greater emphasis on “mitigation” outcomes, particularly transitioning away from fossil fuels. In contrast, some developing countries, mainly the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), argue that the dialogue should solely focus on finance, as established in the GST framework.

As negotiations progressed, it became clear that a consensus was unlikely to be reached. The outcome consisted of two separate documents combined without agreement, with no explicit mention of transitioning from fossil fuels. Both texts contain numerous brackets (text that has not been agreed upon) and options, indicating further divergences to be addressed before COP30. 

Climate Finance

Ultimately, finance was the main issue in negotiations, covering the global stocktake, adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage. Due to the geopolitical situation and reduced aid from major contributors, finance discussions typically ended in stalemate, with developing countries asking developed nations to fulfil their climate finance obligations. In contrast, developed countries suggested alternative funding methods.

At Bonn, discussions centred on two workshops: one on interpreting Article 2.1c of the Paris Agreement, concerning the alignment of finance with emissions and climate resilience, and another reviewing the climate finance commitments of developed countries. 

Beyond these workshops, debates were fierce, especially regarding the implementation of Article 9.1, which requires developed countries to provide public financial aid to developing nations. Developing countries called for more funding, but faced resistance, leading to a compromise to discuss Article 9.1 at COP30. 

Additional consultations covered the Baku to Belém roadmap, targeting $1.3 trillion in climate finance, with $300 billion from developed countries and broader contributions encouraged. Developing nations argued that the responsibility for climate finance shouldn’t fall on them. Its formal inclusion in future negotiations depends on how it is addressed at COP30.

The Road to COP30

All eyes will be on COP30, where negotiations are expected to deliver clearer implementation plans at a swift pace. Although the Bonn Summit took some progressive steps, frustration remained high due to slow or unresolved negotiations, especially regarding financial distribution and adaptation outcomes. 

The JTWP made small but positive advances, while the other two focus groups remained at a stalemate, with no tangible results, highlighting the urgent need for progress and action at COP30.