Bonn Climate Change Conference
All levels, one goal: Scaling ambition ahead of COP30
The 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) of the UNFCCC comes at a pivotal moment in the global climate process. With key negotiations from COP29 in Baku still unresolved and the incoming Brazilian COP30 Presidency calling for an era of inclusive implementation, SB62 marks a critical checkpoint on the road to Belém.
For the LGMA Constituency, SB62 is more than a procedural stop. It is a proving ground for multilevel action – and a platform to show how collaboration between national and subnational governments is already driving results.
Before Belém, local and subnational governments should intensify advocacy and engage national counterparts to influence NDCs 3.0. Developing Town Hall COPs, Subnational Transition and Adaptation Plans will align local and national goals, while calling for the first-ever National Urban-Climate Ministerial meetings as input to the 4th edition at COP30.
In Belém, COP30 must highlight multilevel action with a dedicated space in the Blue Zone for local and subnational voices, as well as promoting urbanization. This is the moment to craft direct subnational access to climate finance, localized adaptation indicators, and climate action is connected to food, nature, biodiversity, health, culture, waste, informality, building/cooling, mobility and land use to ensure a just transition.
Beyond Belém, outcomes should lead to deeper integration of local and subnational actors in global climate governance under the UNFCCC and within the broader UN system reforms. Strengthening subnational representation, enhancing the climate–land–nature nexus through sustainable urbanization, and supporting new engagement models will be key to long-term, inclusive climate action.
LGMA statement at SB62 Closing Plenary
At the SB62 Closing Plenary in Bonn, HY William Chan, Councillor of Sydney, Australia and ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member, delivered the LGMA statement, calling for a reinvigorated multilateral climate process, stronger multilevel governance, and inclusive implementation of the Paris Agreement in an urbanizing world.
He urged all Parties to bring forward multilevel NDCs inspired by CHAMP, welcomed South Africa’s endorsement of Town Hall COPs, and called for climate finance to be prioritized at the upcoming Seville conference. Looking beyond SB62, he also called on governments to align climate action with the UN80 reform process.
Key LGMA points
Multilevel governance and urbanization are now embedded in global climate action. Under the COP28 Global Stocktake, paragraph 63 refers to resilient cities; paragraph 161 refers to multilevel action; and COP29 Mitigation Work Program Outcomes formulate mitigation in urban systems.
CHAMP, launched at COP28, is gaining ground as countries begin incorporating local and subnational voices in national strategies.
New national climate plans (NDC 3.0) must be co-developed with local and subnational actors. Initiatives like Town Hall COPs and Subnational Transition Plans supports these dialogues and will be featured prominently at SB62.
Daring Cities 2025 Bonn Dialogues
Held alongside SB62 from 16–18 June, the Daring Cities 2025 Bonn Dialogues offer a dynamic space to take stock and mobilize. Highlights include:
- Annual review of local and subnational action on the Rio Conventions
- LGMA SB62 briefing
- CHAMP UNFCCC focal point dialogue
- Launch of the COP30 Vision Letter and Town Hall COPs campaign
- Roundtables on IPCC engagement, climate finance, energy efficiency, and more
- Country deep dives (Canada, Kenya, South Africa)
Key discussions will be livestreamed on YouTube – set a notification now to be reminded when they go live!
