The 64th sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SBSTA 64 and SBI 64) concluded in Bonn with extensive discussions on climate finance, adaptation, gender equality and just transition, but with limited progress on the political decisions needed to accelerate global climate action. While negotiations reaffirmed the importance of climate justice and people-centred approaches, key issues—including adaptation finance and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)—remain unresolved, setting the stage for difficult negotiations at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

Representing the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) at the Bonn Climate Talks, Salina Sanou, Climate Justice, Gender and Social Inclusion Lead at GCAP Kenya, participated in the two-week negotiations and engagements with governments, civil society organisations and development partners. In her reflections from SBSTA 64, she notes that although discussions advanced several important technical processes, they fell short of delivering the concrete political commitments needed by countries and communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Read the Report: Broken finance promises cast shadow over Bonn Climate Talks – Frontline communities cannot wait for endless negotiations

Adaptation finance remains a major sticking point

One of the most significant outcomes of the Bonn negotiations was the deadlock over the Global Goal on Adaptation. Developing countries voiced strong concerns after developed countries declined to include in the negotiating text the commitment to triple adaptation finance that had been discussed at COP30 in Belém.

For many countries in the Global South, this reinforced concerns over the continued gap between climate finance commitments and their implementation. Civil society organisations reiterated that adaptation finance must be public, predictable, transparent and easily accessible to help vulnerable countries strengthen resilience and respond to climate impacts and loss and damage.

With negotiations on the Global Goal on Adaptation expected to resume at COP31, GCAP will continue advocating for developed countries to honour their commitments and increase support for developing countries.

Feminist climate finance gains momentum

Gender justice emerged as another important theme throughout SBSTA 64. Feminist organisations from Africa and across the Global South emphasised that climate finance must move beyond traditional financial models and adopt approaches rooted in justice, equity, solidarity and care.

They called for direct access to climate finance for local communities and women’s organisations, greater recognition of unpaid care work and increased investment in locally led adaptation initiatives designed and implemented by women and communities most affected by climate change.

The discussions reinforced the message that there can be no just transition without gender justice and no gender justice without feminist climate finance.

Progress on the Just Transition Mechanism

Negotiations also continued on the proposed Just Transition Mechanism under the Bonn Action on Mitigation. Governments reached broad agreement on several foundational elements, including governance arrangements, stakeholder participation, technical support, capacity building and international cooperation. The Terms of Reference for reviewing the Just Transition Work Programme were also completed in preparation for adoption at COP31.

Civil society organisations, however, stressed that the mechanism must be supported by predictable financing, technology transfer, technical assistance and knowledge sharing to ensure that it becomes an effective tool for supporting equitable transitions in developing countries.

From commitments to accountability on gender

The implementation of the Belém Gender Action Plan (2026–2034) featured prominently during the Bonn sessions. Parties participated in expert dialogues and workshops on gender-responsive climate finance, gender- and age-disaggregated data and the role of National Gender and Climate Change Focal Points.

Participants emphasised that achieving gender-responsive climate action requires more than policy commitments. It demands dedicated budgets, stronger institutions, accountability mechanisms and meaningful participation of women and communities most affected by climate change.

GCAP will continue supporting its national coalitions in monitoring implementation of the Gender Action Plan and advocating for climate policies that deliver measurable benefits for women and girls.

Partnerships key to advancing climate justice

As international climate finance becomes increasingly constrained, discussions in Bonn also highlighted the growing importance of partnerships among governments, civil society organisations, philanthropic institutions, development agencies, grassroots organisations and the private sector.

For GCAP, strengthening these partnerships will be critical for mobilising resources, expanding advocacy and ensuring that climate finance reaches frontline communities. The negotiations also provided opportunities to build relationships with development partners and philanthropic organisations that can support locally led climate action in the years ahead.

Looking ahead to COP31

Although SBSTA 64 delivered limited political outcomes, the negotiations reaffirmed the importance of climate justice, locally led adaptation, inclusive decision-making and community participation in global climate action.

As preparations begin for COP31 in Antalya, GCAP will continue working with its national coalitions and global partners to advocate for predictable and accessible adaptation finance, implementation of the Belém Gender Action Plan and the Just Transition Work Programme, stronger accountability from developed countries and greater investment in locally led climate solutions.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the Bonn negotiations, Salina Sanou said: « SBSTA 64 showed both the opportunities and the limitations of the current multilateral climate process. While governments reaffirmed important commitments on climate justice, adaptation, gender equality and just transition, communities most affected by the climate crisis need more than dialogue—they need concrete action. As we move towards COP31, it is essential that governments turn commitments into implementation and ensure that climate finance and climate policies reach those on the frontlines of the crisis. »

The Bonn Climate Talks have set the agenda for the months ahead. For GCAP and its partners, the focus now shifts from technical discussions to ensuring that COP31 delivers the political decisions, financing commitments and accountability mechanisms needed to advance climate justice for all.