By Bhavya George-Climate Change
Understanding SB62 and Its Significance
SB 62 means the 62nd session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies. This is a mid-year climate conference that brings together the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) to advance negotiations on key issues. The outcomes of SB 62 are expected to shape the agenda and inform decisions at COP 30 later in the year. Every year, the venue of the conference is at World Conference Centre Bonn in Germany.
Preparing for the Journey to Bonn
The plan and preparation for the travel began days before through conversations with my host organization, Women Engage for Common Future (WECF) team, and I am glad I was able to make it to SB62 at Bonn with all the Visa difficulties. This was my first SB and also my first European visit. I travelled with a lot of expectations and agenda items. SB as a process in itself was new, and I was keen to learn how the work I am engaged in resonates with it. What opportunities and options do I have there to contribute to the process, and what can I take back home to strengthen the work on the ground? These were the thoughts that led me through the days.
New and Renewed Connections
As a process, it was less overwhelming than COP. I have time and opportunity to connect with new people and reconnect with old friends. Gender Just Climate Solution (GJCS) Award cohort offers an opportunity as a learning space, and we meet once a month virtually, but meeting in person gives so much meaning and time to exchange our ideas and learnings. I was happy to meet awardees Anisa, Hira, and Andre in person and spend time getting to know about their work, challenges, and their ways to overcome them. Besides was able to make some new connections in Women and Gender Constituency, like in the Agriculture working group, co-panelists in events, and others with similar interests during informal catch-ups.
Workshops and Negotiations
I have been part of the Climate Conference (COP) since 2022, and over the last two years, I have been following agriculture and Just Transition closely as it resonates directly with my work. At Bonn, with the time and space available, I participated in a day workshop on Sharm-El-Sheikh Joint work on the implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security.
It was interesting to see country delegates presenting their work, but as a method, it was not very engaging and did not provide space for dialogue with the parties. Yet it gave me an idea of where the discussion stands on agroecology, nature, and climate interaction in agriculture. Especially from indigenous smallholder women farmers. In the first week, agriculture negotiations were just one. In the meantime, I attended a Climate game on agriculture in the Bonn Climate Camp. That was interesting and useful to take back to the people I work with. I also attended discussions on non-market approaches in Article 6. That has a connection with the forest and biodiversity.
Presenting the Work
Along with the WECF as organizer, I got the opportunity to be part of the press conference, the GJCS 10-year celebration reception, A meeting with the Dutch delegation, and a Panel on Gender Transformative approaches to Just Transition. All these events and meetings gave me space to share the work I do and add the touch of field narrative to the global discussion on Climate Change.
Next Steps
I want to update myself on the outcomes of the SB62 in JT, Agriculture, NAP, and Gender, and plan to integrate it into localized policy advocacy. The people connections I made, I want to continue them and find some synergies. More than all build the capacities of the women I work with and sharing the knowledge I have gained from being at Bonn is one of my important next steps.
