Delegates and experts gathered in Bonn, Germany, last month for the 64th sessions of the UNFCCC‘s Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI). Taking place from June 8-18 2026, SB64 was a key opportunity to lay the groundwork for the implementation of climate commitments at COP31. However, many of the debates stayed procedural, resulting in deadlock for several crucial items such as the Mitigation Work Programme, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and response measures.
The GGA focuses on mitigating the effects of climate change, and was a contentious issue until the last day of the conference. There were major disputes over whether the COP30 commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2035 should be embedded in the GGA framework. Whilst developing countries argued finance is essential for implementation, several developed countries opposed the inclusion of predictable public finance and the tripling of adaptation finance.
Throughout the two-week conference, there was a general feeling of disappointment from developing countries for the lack of climate financing commitment from developed countries. Youth and child-critical sectors also face severe, irreversible impacts from climate change, yet receive a tiny fraction of global climate finance. COP31 climate discussions will have to start from scratch, creating greater doubt as to how and when funding for finance adaptation will be delivered.
There were major disagreements on the integration of global climate science and policymaking. Saudi Arabia and India questioned the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the goal to keep temperature increases to less than 1.5°C in the UN processes, whilst representatives from the EU, Switzerland and various developing countries denounced misinformation and what they argued was a push-back against science.
The most positive outcome of the SB’s was the Just Transition Mechanism. A draft text now outlines the potential functions and modalities of a Belém-to-Antalya Mechanism (BAM), which will support workers, communities and countries through the transition away from fossil fuels. However, finance once again remains a key obstacle, with governance, accountability and implementation remaining unresolved.
However, the COP30 Presidency Roadmap to Halt and Reverse Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030 prioritised practical action over new commitments. Indigenous leadership was consistently highlighted as essential for successful forest protection and implementation and several countries argued that forests should not only be viewed as carbon sinks but also as biodiversity hotspots, water regulators and sources of livelihoods.
Eight GCE delegates were on the ground in Bonn to advocate for youth demands and intergenerational justice in the SBs. Our delegates attended discussions and negotiations, sat in on panels, and coordinated a Global Youth Dialogue. Bringing together youth representatives and activists from around the globe, this event provided a space to discuss expectations, demands and priorities for Global North countries, especially the EU, at COP31. It was a success, allowing young people to exchange key priorities and build shared demands to effectively advocate for climate justice. Where possible throughout the COP31 process, GCE will communicate these insights to high-level officials, policymakers, and commissioners to make sure youth voices are represented in relevant discussions and outcomes.
The SBs were a crucial opportunity to prepare for COP31, but ended with negotiators unable to find agreement on many key issues, including funding for climate adaptation, scaling up global emissions cuts and how climate science should feed into the UN climate process. With SB64 essentially ending in gridlock, many key issues have been pushed forward onto the COP agenda, a concerning indication that procedural disputes will continue to dominate the conversation in Antalya.
