The United Nations climate talks in Bonn, Germany, have been slammed for visa delays and shrinking civic space, raising concerns about inclusivity and accessibility for those most affected by climate change. The 64th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB64) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a crucial moment for global climate action, but it has been marred by issues that exclude those who need to be heard the most.
One of the main questions hanging over the summit is how political initiatives can form outside of the formal UN process, following the success of the Santa Marta conference on fossil fuels. However, the talks are becoming increasingly exclusive, particularly for those living in developing countries who are the most affected by climate change. Climate negotiations affect billions of people, but most cannot be in the room.
Civil society press briefings are a key way for the public to get an independent account of what is happening behind closed doors. However, this year, the Climate Action Network (CAN) was allocated just five press conference slots for the entire conference, a deliberate narrowing of civic space. After a public outcry, the UN has now allocated CAN two additional press conference slots.
The number of pro-oil lobbyists attending these kinds of events is growing, marking the largest concentration of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP since 2021. This raises concerns about the influence of powerful interests on climate negotiations.
Visa barriers to climate meetings are neither new nor unique to Bonn. The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) has been raising concerns about the exclusion of delegates from the least developed countries due to paperwork delays since 2008. Last year, 223 delegates from Africa and Asia experienced difficulties in getting visas, and 25 applicants were denied a visa outright.
Climate activists like Randa Khaled from Egypt are being excluded from the negotiations due to visa delays, which contradicts the principles of inclusion, equity, and participation. The financial impact of visa delays is significant for grassroots organisations and youth-led initiatives, which are already limited in resources.
The exclusion of delegates from the least developed countries and the growing influence of fossil fuel lobbyists raise questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the UN climate process. As climate negotiations continue, it is crucial to ensure that the voices of those most affected by climate change are heard and that the process is inclusive and accessible to all.
