SB62: Where was the focus on Loss and Damage?

Blog by Adessou Kossivi, Climate Change Lead

The 62nd session of UNFCCC’s subsidiary bodies (SB62) took place in Bonn from 16-26 June, as a key moment to prepare for the upcoming 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30). It was an opportunity to reflect on progress to date, identify remaining gaps, and plan the path ahead.

One of the headline items for COP30 will be the review of the New, Collective and Quantified Goals (NCQG), which were concluded and validated in Baku (COP29). The NCQG are vital global climate finance goals – and key commitments under the Paris Agreement. These new targets, set to replace the previous $100 billion goal, aim to establish a more ambitious and effective financial framework to support climate action in developing countries after 2025. 

At SB62, many hoped to see clearer integration of Loss and Damage finance into the Global Stocktake (GST) – to correct the gaps still present after COP29. This was especially important for organisations like GNDR and our members – we have long advocated for a fair, inclusive and adequately funded response to climate impacts.

Since the adoption of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), however, commitments from developed countries have fallen short of expectations. This failure to deliver on promised finance leaves developing countries increasingly vulnerable – and puts countless lives on the frontlines of climate change at greater risk.

Despite the urgency, Loss and Damage received limited attention at SB62, reinforcing concerns of developing countries that the COP30 presidency is not prioritising the issue in line with its seriousness. The irreversible – or enormously costly – impacts of climate change on people’s lives and livelihoods demand a much more prominent place on the agenda.

The Brazilian presidency of COP30 has championed the idea of “Global Mutirão” – a collective mobilisation of all sectors and stakeholders. But if this approach is to succeed, it must fully include Loss and Damage alongside mitigation and adaptation. While reducing emissions remains vital, mitigation alone cannot address the cumulative impacts already affecting vulnerable communities. A more balanced and inclusive climate response is urgently needed – one that scales up adaptation, invests in technologies and practices towards mitigation, and delivers concrete support for those who have already lost so much. Only through a whole-of-society approach can we deliver meaningful climate justice. 

At GNDR, we believe that without significant progress on financing Loss and Damage, and without strong commitments to support adaptation efforts in developing countries, COP30 risks becoming a missed opportunity – marked by political inaction and a failure to direct resources where they’re needed most.

Climate justice must be grounded in the recognition that meaningful support — both technical and financial — is essential. Rather than being viewed as a burden on low-income countries, this support should ease the weight of climate impacts and act as a catalyst for building resilience. That resilience must be holistic, enhancing economic stability, protecting the environment, and ensuring a secure and dignified future. At its core, climate justice is about safeguarding basic human rights — including access to essential services and livelihoods. Prioritising climate finance is not only a moral imperative; it is also a strategic one. By doing so, we can reduce the risk of conflict and instability, and help ensure that climate action remains a global priority.

Over the last decade, significant progress has been made – including the establishment and operationalisation of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. These important steps will be meaningless if they are not equipped with the financial resources needed to fulfil their mandate. 

For real impact, we must ensure funding reaches the communities most affected – particularly in the world’s most at risk countries.