Yesterday morning, ECO started the day full of hope and energy, eager to join the class reunion. On its way to the World Conference Center in Bonn (WCCB), ECO enjoyed the bright sunshine and happily greeted old and new UNFCCC friends, while patiently waiting for its SB56 badge. After all, this was a special moment: the last in-person intersessional was 3 years ago!
The first day of the intersessional meetings started on a positive note as at the beginning of the SBSTA opening plenary, parties agreed to adopt a supplementary agenda item on the “Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme on the Global Goal on Adaptation” (GlaSS).
However, the honeymoon feeling did not last very long. Immediately after, ECO sadly witnessed the 1-hour+ debate on whether there should be “two” or “at least two” meetings on the GlaSS at SB56. Now, who likes to discuss such logistics on their honeymoon?
A vast majority of Parties took the floor to express the need to not restrict the time and number of sessions dedicated to discussions on adaptation, which clearly is a very high priority given the acceleration of climate impacts. The Africa Group called on Parties to scale up adaptation action and regretted having to request the addition of an agenda item on this while it was mandated in COP26 decisions. Bolivia on behalf of the Like Minded-Group of Developing Countries (LMDCs) also made a plea to ensure a balanced discussion between adaptation and mitigation, stating that the former had not yet received the attention it deserved. Switzerland, on behalf of the Environmental Integrity Griuo (EIG), stated that limited capacities in national delegations would make it very difficult for some Parties to adequately follow proceedings for the different agenda items. It was odd to observe how the United States felt tired about the idea of spending more hours on adaptation while shining a brighter light on the mitigation work programme.
After quite some back and forth, ECO felt that hope is still alive when the SBSTA Chair confirmed that two meetings will definitely take place, and opened up the possibility to set up Inf-Infs on the GlaSS, if needed. But deep down, ECO still felt a pinch in the heart. ECO hopes that this episode only temporarily casted a shadow over the WCCB. Parties must pick up adaptation discussions constructively and lead to tangible results at COP27. ECO counts on Parties to make it happen. It is a matter of climate emergency after all!