Raising ambition in Bonn: High-Level Champions set out their agenda for COP 29

In the six months since a global pledge to transition away from fossil fuels was made in the UAE, the devastating reality of climate change has continued to hit hard across the globe.?

From ferocious heat across Asia to fatal floods in Kenya, Brazil and Afghanistan, people? around the world are paying with their lives, livelihoods, health and wellbeing.?

As delegates gather in Bonn for the 60th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB 60), which is a key milestone in the UNFCCC process towards COP 29, we must catalyse action and move from pledges to concrete plans.

High-Level Champions: Roadmap for action

With increasing clarity on the direction of travel, and growing momentum for action in the real economy, the High-Level Champions are hosting and participating in a series of public events, roundtables and workshops in Bonn, with Marrakech Partnership, partners and government representatives - to share insights and information, and discuss the remaining barriers that require cooperation to overcome.?

These discussions are intended to continue to foster collaboration between governments and non-State entities, and to support the ratcheting of ambition and delivery of ambitious 1.5°C-aligned and resilient national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions, or ‘NDCs’) in 2025.?

These will include: a discussion to highlight real-economy and whole-of-society opportunities to help facilitate the implementation of the UAE Consensus, including the outcome of the global stocktake; a dialogue between cities, states and regions, governments, and other stakeholders on how to ensure multilevel partnership towards enhanced NDCs, including through initiatives such as the Coalition for High Ambition Multi-Level Partnership (CHAMP); showcasing progress and discussing next steps on the nature positive call for action ; and accelerating adaptation and resilience action in line with the Global Goal on Adaptation and the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda 2030 Solutions; engagements with representatives of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform; a workshop on mainstreaming gender priorities ahead of COP 29; and a session with representatives of the finance and business community on their contributions to a successful COP 29 and delivering ambitious NDCs.?

The High-Level Champions are also laying out additional key priorities ahead of COP 29, as outlined in the Work Programme for the High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action for 2024 . These include scaling finance for the restoration and protection of nature, increasing the flow of capital to developing countries and Indigenous Peoples, creating a highway for climate finance towards investable NDCs, empowering Small and Medium Enterprises across the globe to capitalise on the economic opportunity available in the green economy and ensuring an inclusive COP 29 where all voices are heard.

In addition, the High-Level Champions are meeting and engaging with Marrakech Partnership focal points and other stakeholders to collectively align on a roadmap of global climate action towards COP 29, in the context of implementing 2030 Climate Solutions for enhanced NDCs. This is a crucial opportunity for the Champions to? connect with Parties of the UNFCCC process ahead of COP 29.??

Through the 2030 Climate Solutions - incorporating the 2030 Breakthroughs , and the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda - the tools and frameworks exist to inform and support national governments to develop targets in line with the Paris Agreement.

No turning back?

The transformation is already underway. Renewables now account for a record 30% of global electricity, and solar and wind are already cheaper than fossil fuels in 82% of the world with their prices set to halve this decade.

In addition to these positive market signals, progress and investment in climate solutions, the High-Level Champions for COP 28 and COP 29,? Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak and Nigar Arpadarai will showcase the breadth and depth of work already underway across the real economy and areas of society to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency while decarbonising all sectors of the global economy, protecting nature, and helping vulnerable communities adapt and become resilient to the ever present threats of climate change.?

Progress since COP 28

Since COP 28, the High-Level Champions and the Marrakech Partnership have continued to support and advance non-State climate action by a diverse set of key players, including sub-national government, industry, business, finance, civil society and Indigenous Peoples.?

More and more real economy leaders are taking action. After adding three Partner initiatives last year, the Race to Zero welcomed the Net-Zero Export Credit Agency as a Partner in 2024 and added two Accelerators in Indonesia and West Africa. Similarly, building on the USD $40 billion mobilised by the Race to Resilience Partners in 2023, the campaign has welcomed an additional eight partners including the Climate Centre for Cities and the Green Africa Youth Organization .

Momentum continues to grow in the decarbonization of industry too. The 96 members of the First Movers Coalition have now committed to buying US$16 billion worth of emerging climate technologies by 2030.

Likewise, during the Fourteenth Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly , 32 utilities and power companies serving 350 million customers unveiled their roadmap and action plan to accelerate the shift to net-zero emissions before 2050 through the Global Utilities for Net Zero Alliance .

The Nature Positive for Climate Action campaign continues to gain momentum with over 3,200 businesses and financial institutions committing to nature-focused targets, disclosures, and investments. Similarly, the Mangrove Breakthrough has advanced since COP 28 with the launch of its governance structure, including the inaugural meeting of the Mangrove Breakthrough Council in May.

The shipping industry is also pulling together to advance the switch to green hydrogen with a coalition of the willing, including producers, ports and shipowners - all actively advocating for policy that incentivises the early uptake of the alternative fuel.?

This is a snapshot of progress since COP 28 and how the High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership are contributing to this transformational change as outlined here . As a way to take stock of this recent progress and more broadly over the last decade, the High-Level Champions are requesting feedback from national governments and all stakeholders on how they can help accelerate even further action going forward.?

The Champions laid out how best to do so in a letter to Parties and non-Party stakeholders .

See here for the full High-Level Champions public events programme in Bonn.?

Non-State Actor Engagement in the UNFCCC Process at Bonn

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell's opening remarks at the June UN Climate Meetings (60th Subsidiary Bodies) on 3 June 2024 emphasized how the global community can't afford rest stops, detours or stumbles at this halfway point in humanity's climate journey . It is critical that all stakeholders are on board and there are various opportunities for all to actively engage throughout these meetings.

Representatives from national governments, NGOs, academia, private sector, and others met this week to discuss the characteristics of the new climate finance goal during the 10th Technical Expert Dialogue (TEDs) of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The NCQG process offers a space for convergence among international finance institutions and investors and can facilitate interaction between all actors. The Marrakech Partnership Finance Group made a submission ahead of the dialogue with respect to mobilizing the trillions, improving effectiveness and supporting greater access to finance and facilitated the development of private sector guidance on how NDCs can catalyze finance.?

Another key finance event is the first workshop under the Sharm el-Sheikh dialogue on financial flows on 12-13 June, 10:00-13:00 (CEST). The focus will be on adaptation investments and the consistency of financial flows with a climate-resilient development pathway, as well as linkages to broader sustainable development co-benefits and impacts. .

Also to keep on the radar is the first Annual Global Stocktake Dialogue on 6-7 June, which will provide a platform for open discussions and exchanges between national governments and non-State actors on lessons, experiences and practical solutions to address implementation gaps in current national climate plans (or NDCs) by accelerating action; and closing ambition gaps in the next NDCs.?

Setting the Stage for African Climate Leadership: A conversation with Bogolo Kenewendo

Bogolo Kenewendo is a global leader in Pan-African development, specialising in sustainable trade and investment, and accelerating innovation across the continent.

Until recently, Bogolo was the Special Advisor to the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, and Africa Director, where she played a leading role in implementing the Champions’ plans for accelerating ambition and action in Africa, and delivering a transformative COP 27.

As one of the founders of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative, Kenewendo recently spoke at the Africa CEO Summit , on the theme of carbon markets. We spoke to Kenewendo about shaping solutions to deliver affordable finance for climate and development in low-income regions, such as Africa; tackling sovereign debt to free up adaptation finance; the potential to harness carbon markets in Africa; and her hopes for COP 29 to deliver as ‘the finance COP.’

Click here for the full article .

Investors gather for Brazil’s Ecological Transformation

The inaugural Brazil Climate Investment Week convened? more than 100 domestic and international investors and business leaders in S?o Paulo last month, to catalyze private investment in the country’s climate solutions, including renewable energy, and biodiversity protection.

The devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sol, Brazil have elevated the importance of the summit. Brazil is racing to deliver aid to flood-stricken communities in the south, where the death toll has exceeded 165 people, at least 581,000 people have been displaced, and the federal government has allocated more than 348 million USD to recovery and rescue efforts so far.

The Summit focused on scaling the most promising opportunities in climate and nature-based solutions in Brazil to deliver the nation’s Ecological Transformation Plan , which? was announced at COP 28 as the country’s primary vehicle for tackling the climate crisis. Annual investment of USD 130 - 160 billion is needed over the next 10 years—mainly in infrastructure— to deliver against the transformation plan.

Within the week, the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Investment Summit also hosted sessions on the economic policy context, regulatory drivers, risk management and blended finance in NbS. In attendance were Brazil’s top NbS investment funds, developers and enterprises representing a variety of solutions and asset classes.

Her Excellency, Razan Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 28, highlighted that Brazil’s Presidency of key global summits, including the G20, over the next 18 months creates a perfect opportunity to galvanise investment:

Click here for the full? video message.

Business on the Agenda in Baku

The critical role of business in ambitious climate action was on the agenda at the Baku Business Forum. Local businesses, government officials and international stakeholders came together to discuss how the private sector can support the transition to a resilient, net zero future and the opportunities for businesses in the COP 29 host country to invest in the green economy.?

In her opening remarks, Nigar Arpadarai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 29 said the Forum served “as a platform to highlight the pressing issues of climate impacts and risks, and to recognize the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability and business success.”

Race to Resilience Update

Partner updates

• Two new Partners have joined the Campaign, taking the total to 36; now collectively pledging to increase the resilience of 3.17 billion people by 2030:

• International Transformational Resilience Coalition (ITRC) : A network of organizations focused on building capacity for mental wellness - and social, psychological and behavioural? resilience to the climate emergency.
• EHAB: Weather Risk Platform : A weather risk management platform that helps businesses forecast and reduce weather and climate impact in the context of construction projects, energy assets, ports, farms, mines, etc.

• Celebrating Build Change: Two decades of providing climate resilient housing Build Change has yielded transformative results since 2004, making 1.17 million people and 230,000 buildings safer, and preserving around USD 4.7 billion in assets.

• Strengthening climate resilience in Senegal through digital agricultural finance . Our partner Scale for Resilience is providing digital and financial solutions to increase the resilience of Senegal's smallholder farmers. The project has already? benefited more than 77,000 people, of which 78% are women.?

Race to Zero Update

Partner Updates:

• Both the Cities Race to Zero Mayors and The Climate Group (Under2 Coalition’s Secretariat) both celebrated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s award of USD 20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for clean energy projects.?

• Apple has joined the Exponential Roadmap initiative . The collaboration will support Apple on its journey to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, compared to the 2015 fiscal year.

In case you missed it

• OpEd: A Turning Point for Clean Cooking : In conjunction with the recent IEA Clean Cooking Summit?where USD 2.2 billion in public and private sector funding, financing and investment was pledged, Razan Al Mubarak, the High-Level Champion for COP 28, and Joseph Nganga of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) summarised the opportunity for ‘clean cooking for all’ in Project Syndicate . The two leaders called for a step-change in clean cooking funding in Africa which represents “... a commitment that the Global North must make to the continent that has contributed the least to global warming but is nonetheless most vulnerable to its effects.”

• Kate Brandt , Chief Sustainability Officer at Google on leading the company’s green revolution in our net zero leadership story. Want to showcase a leader’s story? Submit your nominations here .?

• At the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Spring meetings on 17-19 April, which were geared around the theme of ‘Vision to Impact,’ developed countries pledged USD 11bn to help boost the World Bank’s lending capacity.

• The 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue (PCD) on 25-26 April gathered representatives from around 40 countries in Berlin to advance towards an ambitious outcome at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, with a strong emphasis on finance for climate change mitigation. Nigar Arpadarai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 29 met numerous government, business & civil society leaders at Petersberg - advancing conversations on climate cooperation, and supporting an open dialogue ahead of the Azerbaijan COP.

• On 24 May, the co-chairs of the Net-Zero Recognition and Accountability Framework Consultation submitted recommendations to the UNFCCC arising from the independent consultation. The consultation – and the recommendations flowing from it – are in response to an invitation from UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell on how best to operationalize the Recommendation 8 of the ‘Integrity Matters Report ’ by the Expert Group established by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

• On 27-29 May, non-State actors engaged in the third global dialogue (GD) and investment-focused event (IFE) under the Sharm el-Sheikh mitigation ambition and implementation work programme in Bonn, Germany (hybrid), which included expert presentations, breakout discussions and pitch hub sessions. Webcasts are available on the event page . The High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership have supported the co-chairs of the work programme and the UNFCCC secretariat by providing substantive expertise to shape the GD and IFE, by strengthening the integration of the High-Level Champions’ Regional Platforms for Climate Projects pipeline into the IFE, and by mobilizing non-state actors to engage in the activities. Three projects from the High-Level Champions pipeline were presented in the pitch hubs to explore how to bring these projects to financial close.

• The High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership, in collaboration with the UNFCCC secretariat and its Regional Collaboration Centres, are inviting non-Party stakeholders across all regions to share perspectives via this survey by end of June on priority solutions, specific barriers/challenges and enabling conditions of adaptation and mitigation in the framework of the 2030 Climate Solutions . Inputs received will help ensure the implementation of the 2030 Climate Solutions reflects the context and needs of all regions; is effective, inclusive, participatory, and accountable; and effectively contributes to providing solutions to the design of the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions.

Mark your calendar

• 60th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies , 3 -13 June, Bonn, Germany
• Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum, 4-6 June, Bridgetown, Barbados
• High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" (2018-2028) , 10-13 June, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
• 2024 Ocean & Climate Change Dialogue , 11-12 June, Bonn, Germany
• G7 Summit 2024 , 13-15 June, Puglia, Italy
• ICLEI World Congress 2024 , 18-21 June S?o Paulo, Brazil
• London Climate Action Week, ?22-30 June, London, UK
• 26th International Union of Forest Research Organizations World Congress , 23-29 June, Stockholm, Sweden
• European Urban Resilience Forum 2024 , 26-28 June, Valencia, Spain
• World Water Week 2024 , 25-29 August, Stockholm, Sweden
• 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), 10-24 September, New York, USA
• Summit of the Future , 22-23 September, New York, USA
• New York Climate Week, ?22 – 27 September, New York, USA
• 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns , 1-3 October, Aalborg, Denmark
• United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity COP 16, 21 October - 1 November, Colombia
• UNFCCC COP 29 , 11-24 November, Baku, Azerbaijan
• G20 Summit 2024 , 18-19 November, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification COP 16 , 2-13 December, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia