🌍 Sustainability Horizons – Issue #5

🌍 Sustainability Horizons – Issue #5

Dates: June 19–26, 2025

Editor-in-Chief: Ahmed Fathy

🌿 Introduction

As SB62 negotiations in Bonn draw to a close, this issue of Sustainability Horizons zooms in on three themes that defined the pulse of the talks: adaptation, gender equality, and youth participation. The discussions were intense, the expectations high, and the stakes enormous—especially as we edge closer to COP30 in Belém, Brazil. From fierce debates over how we define and track adaptation progress, to disagreements on gender-sensitive language, and the digital inclusion of youth voices from across the globe—SB62 offered a front-row seat to the evolving architecture of global climate governance. Let's explore six interlinked insights from Bonn that matter for every climate leader—especially young ones.

1️⃣ Adaptation at the Core: The Global Goal Debate

SB62 continued its deep dive into the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). Delegates worked on refining the proposed list of indicators, attempting to streamline them into a concise and actionable framework for tracking adaptation efforts. Key tensions emerged over: • Whether to include indicators on national budget allocations; • The role of loss and damage in the adaptation architecture; • And the integration of qualitative narratives alongside quantitative data. Developing countries, especially from Africa and the Arab Group, advocated for contextualized indicators and emphasized means of implementation as central to any adaptation progress. As negotiations intensify toward CMA7, all eyes are now on whether a core list—possibly under 100 headline indicators—can be finalized and adopted at COP30.

2️⃣ NAPs in the Spotlight: Planning vs. Action

The session also revisited the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and how they align with the GGA. The Least Developed Countries reiterated that only half of them had submitted a NAP, blaming long delays in accessing financial support.

• Parties debated the role of the Green Climate Fund in accelerating NAP implementation;

• Discussions emphasized aligning NAP guidance with the Global Stocktake process;

• Divergence persisted over deadlines for submissions and technical support. For many, transformational adaptation must move beyond reports and into community-level resilience building—and that means money, capacity, and clarity.

3️⃣ Gender Action Plan: Language, Politics, and Progress

Negotiations around the new Gender Action Plan (GAP) proved to be among the most politically charged. While most parties agreed on the importance of strengthening gender responsiveness, disagreements emerged on:

Whether to retain the term "gender mainstreaming"; How to refer to indigenous women and women of African descent; The need to integrate means of implementation into gender action; And the role of the Standing Committee on Finance in supporting gender-related efforts. Some parties also challenged references to environmental and human rights defenders. Despite contention, the co-facilitators will prepare new text ahead of COP30, reflecting both progressive and conservative positions.

4️⃣ Youth Voices: From Observation to Negotiation

Young people weren't just attending SB62—they were reshaping its narrative. In a breakthrough moment, youth constituencies submitted a unified statement that demanded: • Structured inclusion in national and global climate processes; • Equity in adaptation finance and recognition of intergenerational justice; • And formal seats for youth in Global Stocktake dialogues and thematic workshops. The message was clear: youth must move from side events to decision-making spaces, not just be mentioned in outcomes. Negotiators listened—some applauded, others resisted—but the pressure is now undeniable.

5️⃣ YLE Foundation's Virtual Delegation to SB62: Global Reach, Local Impact

YLE Foundation launched an inspiring Virtual Delegation to SB62, involving 9 young climate leaders from Egypt, Asia, and Africa. Through daily briefings, live interactions, and collaborative analysis of the talks, the virtual team: Followed the negotiations closely and shared updates with local youth networks; Focused on issues most relevant to the Global South: finance, adaptation, and equity; Published daily insights under the campaign "Our Youth Shape the Future of Global Climate at SB62!" This model of engagement demonstrated that digital participation—when designed well—can democratize climate diplomacy. For many young followers, it was their first real exposure to live climate negotiations.

6️⃣ 12 Free Courses on Sustainable Finance & Development

Sharpen your skills. Empower your impact.

Here's a curated list of free and certified online courses for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of finance in the context of sustainability. Ideal for youth, professionals, and changemakers:

1. SDG Finance Academy e-Learning Programme – UNDP 🔗 https://lnkd.in/geVmuWkW

2. Introduction to Sustainable Finance – UN CC:Learn 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dzs_2ig

3. Principles of Sustainable Finance – Erasmus University 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gkWBwp3

4. Foundations of Central Bank Law – IMF 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gw8Meg3F

5. Investment Project Preparation and Appraisal – UNIDO 🔗 https://lnkd.in/echtbW4q

6. Public Debt Dynamics Under Uncertainty – IMF 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gaAiUUGH

7. Railway Financing – World Bank 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gyhcDSE8

8. Financial Development and Financial Inclusion – IMF 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e4kccba

9. Engaging Citizens in the Audit Process – World Bank 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dvfkxuj

10. Carbon Taxation – World Bank 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dhpC8g5

11. Financial Market Analysis – IMF 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gXBceTHW

12. Direct Access: Unlocking Adaptation Funding – World Bank 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dBHXCse

💬 Final Note

From adaptation metrics to gender equality and intergenerational justice, SB62 was a crucible of complex decisions and rising expectations. What's clear is this: change is happening, and it's being shaped by those who show up—physically or virtually—with purpose and persistence.

📢 Which SB62 topic do you think will define COP30? Share your view in the comments! 💚 If you found this issue helpful, reshare and tag a climate enthusiast. 

📸 Additional Images from SB62

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