The Bonn climate talks in June 2025 brought important progress in Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), which is welcome news after the stagnation at COP29 in Baku. Activists called the move a “vital impulse” and Anabella Rosemberg of the Climate Action Network stressed that without social and economic justice, the green transition would become a “mirage.” She added that governments often use citizens’ concerns about the impact on jobs and finances as a barrier to action, but now this understanding appears to be changing.

Key progress in JTWP

Negotiators in Bonn agreed on a way forward for the JTWP, laying a “solid foundation” for future negotiations. The aim is for the JTWP to lead to the creation of Mechanism of action in Belém at COP30, which should make it easier to share best practices with government officials and save on consultant costs. Advocates also call for progress on just transitions to be included in national climate plans (NDCs).

An informal note to be forwarded to COP30 outlines a comprehensive vision of a just transition. According to it, a green transition should be:

• Fair to workers a to protect nature.
• Support access to clean energy and clean cooking for all.
• Support gender and human rights, especially for indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, migrants and young people.

Despite the overwhelming support, there were also reservations:

• A group of like-minded developing countries and the Arab Group (including Saudi Arabia) opposed mentioning opportunities to move away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the importance of national circumstances.
• Paraguay objected to the wording on gender-sensitive approaches.
• Russia wanted to include a reference to unilateral trade measures, which were mainly aimed at the EU's carbon tariffs.

These discussions are likely to move to Belém, where further controversy is expected. Bert de Wel of the International Trade Union Confederation warned that workers cannot afford to let negotiations on a just transition be derailed by proxy battles between governments. Anabella Rosemberg also suggested that if the protests against the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and green taxes had been handled fairly, with the involvement of workers and communities, “we might not have ended up where we are now with the difference in NDC ambitions.”

Ongoing frustrations and budget constraints

In addition to the JTWP, many developing countries, including least developed countries (LDCs) a G77, disappointment with the slow pace of negotiations and "lack of urgency", especially in the area of climate change adaptation. The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) was particularly concerned about the lack of progress on the issue of financing the Global Adaptation Goal, with AGN Chairman Richard Muyungi saying that without a financing agreement, “literally nothing will be achieved” at COP30. Meanwhile, the European Union reiterated its commitments on climate finance.

Another controversial area was UNFCCC budget (the UN body that runs climate talks). Although the UNFCCC had requested a core budget of €92 million for 2026 and 2027, the amount approved is only €81.5 million, a mere €10 trillion increase over the previous period. Saudi Arabia and China are said to have blocked a larger increase. This limitation means that the UNFCCC will have to rely more heavily on voluntary donations, and there are concerns that some important activities may remain unfinished or underfunded. Especially with the US under Donald Trump unlikely to pay its 21.5 trillion share, another philanthropist, such as Michael Bloomberg, who previously covered the US contribution, may be needed.

In conclusion, the Bonn negotiations showed that although there is a solid foundation for a just transition, deep divisions persist on issues of adaptation financing and the budget stability of global climate institutions. These challenges will be central to the upcoming COP30 in Belém, where many key climate policy issues will be decided. Spring