Climate talks, climate action

Islamic Relief’s senior policy advisor, Jamie Williams, reports from Bonn, Germany, where the charity is participating in the June Climate Meetings (SB62), officially named Subsidiary Body Sessions, to help lay the groundwork for the next pivotal climate conference.

The SB62 began on Monday 16 June, and over the coming days will take on the technical negotiations necessary ahead of the COP30 climate conference later this year. I am here with colleagues from Islamic Relief to continue speaking up for the dignity of the world’s most vulnerable and marginalised people for whom we work.

We will take part in negotiations about the Global Goal on Adaptation: The world must step up to strengthen resilience, reduce vulnerability and enhance people’s capacity to adapt as the climate becomes more unstable.  We will stress that the time for action is now.

At the core of responding to the climate crisis must be social justice and fairness, along with striving for excellence with sincerity and compassion.  We will emphasise that we are all custodians of the environment, with duties to protect and safeguard its gifts for posterity and future generations.

We will promote community empowerment and participation, and show how the best action is based in communities and led by the people most affected.

We will speak for sustainability so that life and property, customs, cultures and religion will be preserved in the face of ever more challenging threats.

The climate crisis is escalating

SB62 arrives at a crucial moment in the international climate process. Trust was tested 6 months ago in Baku, and the credibility of the United Nation’s climate efforts is in question.

The world is reeling from multiple overlapping crises. Conflicts, growing authoritarianism, weaponised trade, and unregulated digital upheaval have created a geopolitical environment that is increasingly resistant to collaboration.

At the same time, the climate crisis is accelerating. Temperatures are rising, weather extremes are worsening, and climate impacts are threatening lives and livelihoods across every continent.

Trust must be rebuilt for climate action success

The political will for ambitious, cooperative climate action – especially from the world’s largest polluters – is needed more than ever.

In Bonn, Islamic Relief will be calling countries to account by talking with their representatives and demanding real commitment.

We will work with others to reverse the erosion of trust that is now undermining the entire climate action process, and threatening the lives of us all.

Islamic Relief works in over 20 countries to help people adapt to the climate crisis.  Donate to support our efforts.