The UN climate negotiations known as the SB64 meetings concluded in Bonn on 18 June, after two weeks of discussions preparing the ground for the next major climate summit, COP31, which will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026.

The SB (Subsidiary Bodies) meetings are technical and political negotiations held each year under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They bring together governments, experts and civil society organisations to advance discussions on issues such as climate finance, adaptation, emissions reduction and the implementation of previous climate commitments.

A team from the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) and the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) participated in the meetings in Bonn, representing the Jesuit commitment to ecological justice and bringing the Jesuits for Climate Justice calls to the attention of international decision-makers. The team followed the negotiations closely, engaged with other actors and reported from the ground on the progress and challenges of the talks.

While a more detailed analysis will follow, one central tension emerged throughout the negotiations: the urgent need for immediate climate action and the political difficulties involved in transforming commitments into concrete and fair policies.

As governments debated responsibilities, implementation mechanisms and climate finance, the consequences of the climate crisis continued to be felt most severely by vulnerable communities and countries. Civil society organisations repeatedly called on decision-makers to move beyond dialogue and ensure that climate commitments translate into real action.

For the Society of Jesus, these negotiations are closely connected to the mission of promoting ecological justice—recognising that environmental degradation is inseparable from social inequality and that those who have contributed least to the climate crisis are often those who suffer its greatest impacts.

The Bonn meetings represent an important step towards COP31, where governments will continue negotiations on how to strengthen global climate action. Jesuit participation seeks to ensure that the voices of vulnerable communities remain present in international discussions and that climate responses are rooted in justice, solidarity and care for our common home.

The Jesuits for Climate Justice coverage of SB64 is available through the SJES channels.