Insights and Future Directions from SB60

Launched in early 2023, the CGIAR Climate Platform marked its second participation in the mid year session of the two permanent subsidiary bodies – the SBSTA and the SBI – that assist the governing bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The SBI- the Subsidiary Body for Implementation- evaluates and reviews the effective implementation of the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol and Paris; while the SBSTA – the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice-  provides scientific and technological information and advice regarding the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement. The SBs meet twice a year- during the Bonn Climate Change Conference and during COP. This year’s COP29 will be hosted in November in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Leading up to COP 29, the mid-year climate conference (SB 60) in Bonn, Germany provided an important opportunity to build momentum with international stakeholders and negotiators, including governments, intergovernmental organizations, UN agencies, and representatives from youth, Indigenous groups, research, academia, and industry

In 2024, CGIAR prioritized seven tracks within the UNFCCC process. These include, the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance, the global goal on adaptation (GGA),  agriculture and food security, gender equality, non-market approaches, and addressing loss and damage.

The Platform has been key in coordinating CGIAR’s comprehensive involvement in these discussions, engaging CGIAR centers and the Advocacy for Impact team. Part of the Platform’s contribution includes the coordination of CGIAR’s participation at the 2024 Bonn Climate Change Conference , organizing eight side events aligned to the priority tracks for CGIAR. These events served as platforms for CGIAR colleagues and scientists to present their research, share insights, and engage with various stakeholders on significant climate issues. Additionally, CGIAR representatives actively attended numerous sessions and tracked several negotiation processes.

Internal Progress and Achievements

Reflecting on our journey, it is remarkable to see how far CGIAR has advanced in systematically utilizing scientific research and innovations on climate change and agri-food systems to make official submissions to the UNFCCC process. This integrated approach, where scientists from different centers collaborate, has proven effective.

In 2024 alone, CGIAR has made six submissions on four critical topics, with plans to make additional contributions on the Agriculture and Food Security track, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), and the New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance (NCQG). These submissions are synthesized by the UNFCCC, inform negotiation and decision texts. For instance, prior to COP28, the platform collaborated with IPCC colleagues to create an influential guest post on the GGA titled, “What would an ambitious ‘global goal on adaptation’ look like at COP28?” . The post was published by Carbon Brief in December 2023. This article, drawing from the CGIAR -led agriculture chapter of the Breakthrough Agenda Report 2023 outlined the necessity for climate action in the agrifood sector and proposed ambitious, measurable targets for the GGA. Notably, negotiators at COP28 in Dubai referenced this article, incorporating specific language from it into the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, as part of the UAE Consensus final text.

In addition, when submissions resonate with the parties, we also get a seat at the table to share CGIAR science and evidence. For example, Eliza Villarino from the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT received an invitation from the UNFCCC to make a presentation at an at SB60 in-session workshop, following the submission that CGIAR, led by the Alliance made in March 2024 on non-market measures.

In the coming months, CGIAR will continue to disseminate its science through workshops, expert dialogues, technical groups, and submissions to the UNFCCC, particularly under the GGA, NCQG, and Agriculture and Food systems tracks. Leveraging our scientific expertise to inform these critical climate processes is vital, as the future of smallholder producers in the Global South hinges on the outcomes of these negotiations.

Updates on Negotiation Tracks

During SB60 in June 2024, CGIAR closely monitored seven key negotiation tracks: the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance, the Global Goal on Adaptation, Gender, the Just Transition Work Programme, nonmarket approaches, loss and damage and Agriculture and Food Security.

In preparation for the SBs, the climate platform, in collaboration with the Advocacy for Impact team, brought together various Centers and Initiatives involved in the UNFCCC process. We developed a joint blog on the status of negotiations to guide CGIAR’s coordinated engagement in the intersessional meetings. Our submissions on coupled with our active participation in meetings, enabled the team to effectively follow negotiations and engage with negotiators. This helped us identify scientific gaps and reinforce CGIAR’s role at the science-policy interface.

Bilateral Meetings and Partnerships

Taking advantage of our presence in Bonn, we organized several strategic bilateral meetings with key partners. We met with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat to discuss CGIAR’s potential contributions to the UNCCD COP later this year. Additionally, we engaged with AGNES to explore how CGIAR’s science and innovations can support their mission. A courtesy visit with the Azerbaijan Deputy Minister of Environment provided a platform to discuss CGIAR’s COP plans and explore collaborative opportunities. Furthermore, we met with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) colleagues to discuss optimal ways to use their loss and damage data for long-term quantification in the agri-food sector.

CGIAR Climate Impact Platform focuses on driving change within global climate processes, and to enhance the external visibility of CGIAR’s climate science expertise and influence global climate processes. As part of this mission, the Platform sponsored participation at the Bonn Climate Conference to follow negotiations on key CGIAR focus tracks, especially those focused on agriculture.

Learnings and Opportunities

Our participation in SB60 has provided invaluable learnings and potential opportunities for CGIAR. One of the key takeaways is the importance of a unified and strategic approach to submitting scientific evidence to inform global climate negotiations. This not only enhances the credibility and impact of our contributions but also fosters greater collaboration among our scientists. Furthermore, our interactions with various stakeholders have highlighted the potential for expanding partnerships and enhancing the application of our research in policy-making processes. The insights gained from these engagements will guide our future efforts in aligning CGIAR’s scientific agenda with global climate goals, ensuring that our work continues to address the pressing needs of smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.

Looking Forward

Our reflections from SB60 highlight the crucial role CGIAR plays in the UNFCCC process. Our systematic approach to leveraging science and innovation in agri-food systems has enabled us to make significant contributions to climate negotiations, especially in 2023 and 2024. This progress is evident from our six key submissions this year, building on the insights and partnerships from previous initiatives across CGIAR.

As we move forward, CGIAR’s commitment to leveraging our science for impactful climate action remains steadfast. The outcomes of these negotiations inform the future of global food systems, and our ongoing participation will continue to drive progress in achieving sustainable and resilient agri-food systems at multiple levels.

Annex – Summary of Negotiation Tracks Updates