Highlights for Thursday, 20 June 2019
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa takes a family photo with the Youth NGOs (YOUNGOs).
On Thursday, the Bonn Climate Change Conference continued, carefully working in negotiating rooms while also thinking more broadly in various thematic meetings and mandated events.The need for science-based action for transformational change echoed more strongly than ever as Martin Frick, UNFCCC Secretariat, opened the Technical Expert Meeting by praising researchers and knowledge holders, reminding participants that “We need to speak about a climate emergency, not just climate change anymore.” In the research dialogue, experts stressed solutions were available, but under used, to transform the energy sector and build resilience. A common theme was the need to translate and transmit science and social science to policy makers. In other fora, delegates stressed the importance of scientific assessments in informing the periodic review of the Long-term Global Goal and the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage associated with climate change impacts.Much of the negotiations continued the focus on Article 6 (markets and non-market approaches) and how countries will report through the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework. The tasks on these issues are very different. For Article 6, delegates are working to create three new institutions, for internationally transferrable mitigation outcomes (ITMOs), a market mechanism, and non-market approaches.For many of the other issues discussed, parties are trying to find ways to make existing systems fit for purpose under the Paris Agreement. For reporting formats, this means reviewing existing forms and templates, and considering how to make them appropriate for all countries to use. Many are currently designed to be used either by developed or developing countries. Countries are trying to work out how to make sure developed countries continue to provide the same, or more, information, while allowing developing countries the flexibilities they need given how difficult it can be to gather and report technical information.Building national capacities to implement the Paris Agreement was the focus of the Durban Forum for Capacity-building. Participants brainstormed on the role of academia and research institutes, and how to coordinate national and international stakeholders. Of interest to many was best practices for showcasing, and assessing, the effectiveness of capacity-building activities.For more details on the day's events and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB).
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2019, which is now available in HTML and PDF.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page
Technical Expert Meeting on Mitigation
Delegates gather for the Technical Expert Meeting on Mitigation (TEM)
SBI Chair Emmanuel Dlamini, eSwatini, and Martin Frick, UNFCCC Secretariat
Torgny Holmgren, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), and Bernd-Markus Liss, GIZ
Melina Balderrama Durán, Helvetas Swiss Development Organization
Gaurav Kumar, Claro Energy, and Jennie Barron, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
8th Durban Forum on Capacity-Building
A delegate listens to the panel during the 8th Durban Forum on Capacity-building.
Co-Facilitator Stella Gama, Malawi
Mizan Khan, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD)
Jakob Rhyner, Innovation Campus Bonn
Rebecca Carman, UN Development Programme
Eleventh Meeting of the Research Dialogue
Delegates gather for the eleventh meeting of the research dialogue that discussed two themes: transformation of energy and other sectoral systems to achieve the purpose and long-term goals of the Paris Agreement; and transformative adaptation and climate resilient development.
Jim Skea, Working Group III Co-Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Boram Lee, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)
Sheila Ochugboju, Specialist Facilitator
Elmar Kriegler, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Marta Torres Gunfaus, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI)
Delegates visit a poster display highlighting research related to the themes of the dialogue.
Executive Secretary's Briefing with Observers
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa holds a briefing with observer organizations.
Beth Martin, Research and Independent NGOs (RINGOs)
Nathan Thanki, Climate Justice Now!
Yunus Arikan, Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMAs)
Bert De Wel, Trade Union NGOs (TUNGOs)
Consultations throughout the Day
SBSTA informal consultations on matters relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
SBSTA informal consultations on common tabular formats (CTF) for reporting information necessary to track progress made in implementing and achieving nationally determined contributions.
SBI informal consultations on matters relating to the Adaptation Fund: membership of the Adaptation Fund Board.
Around the Venue
Ovais Sarmad, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary
Hans-Otto Pörtner, Working Group II Co-Chair, IPCC, speaks with SBSTA Chair Paul Watkinson, France
Olga Alcaraz and Gisela Torrents, Polytechnic University of Catalonia
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa
Launch of the Global Youth Video Competition.
Delegates from Sudan
Pieter Terpstra, the Netherlands (right)
Delegates meet informally during the day.
Rob Bradley, NDC Partnership
Delegates visit the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) website to keep track of negotiations.
A display of youth activists from around the world.
Materials on display around the venue.