From June 16 to 26, 2025, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Bodies met in Bonn to lay the groundwork for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30), scheduled for November in Belém, Brazil. The session opened with two days of debate over the agenda, as parties proposed new items for inclusion. Notably, the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) group proposed addressing unilateral trade barriers and holding a separate discussion on Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which concerns financial support from developed nations. A compromise, led by the G77 and China, saw trade-related measures folded into existing agenda items, primarily under the broader umbrella of a just transition. A just transition to a green economy The impact of low-carbon development in certain countries or sectors on others has long been discussed under the UNFCCC. For years, this issue was addressed through discussions and the Forum on Response Measures under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. The issue was first raised by Arab countries, major hydrocarbon exporters, who advocated for recognition of the negative effects of developed countries’ climate actions on developing economies. In contrast, developed countries emphasized the predictability of reduced demand and the opportunities for economic diversification, as well as potential positive effects. In Bonn, it was agreed that the Forum would continue its work. Developing countries also submitted a Conference Room Paper (CRP) highlighting trade barriers in the context of the Just Transition Work Program. While CRPs aren’t officially part of the COP30 agenda, this document acts as a fallback to ensure trade-related concerns are not sidelined. The decision to establish the Just Transition Work Program was adopted at COP28 in Dubai. Its objective is to support a global transition that is fair and equitable for all countries and population groups. The program seeks to achieve sustainable development, eradicate poverty, adapt to climate change, build capacity, and provide financial support for developing countries. COP31 will evaluate the program’s progress and decide whether it should continue. However, at COP29 in Baku, parties failed to agree on a draft document. Some LMDC members resisted language highlighting the socio-economic benefits of phasing out fossil fuels. As a result, attention shifted toward reaching consensus on a new collective financial goal under the Paris Agreement. No formal decisions were adopted in Bonn, but intense debate continued, particularly around the inclusion of trade measures within the scope of the just transition discussions. Adaptation to climate change A second major focus of the Bonn climate talks was advancing work on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), established under the Paris Agreement and launched at COP28 in the UAE. Central to this effort is the UAE–Belém Indicator Work Program, which aims to define how progress on climate adaptation should be measured and funded. Countries and stakeholders initially submitted around 1,500 proposed indicators, later trimmed to 490 by the time of the Bonn meeting. But parties have agreed the final framework should include no more than 100 key indicators. Each selected indicator must be directly linked to the GGA’s core themes – human well-being, infrastructure, nature, and cultural heritage – rather than economic or industrial metrics. The Bonn session focused on narrowing down the list, but differences remained. While developing countries stressed the need for financial support, the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) group did not prioritize socio-environmental indicators. Suggestions to classify indicators as “primary” and “secondary” were ultimately dropped. Instead, countries agreed on selection criteria, with all indicators needing to be measurable and directly tied to adaptation goals. Indicators based on global warming scenarios or drawn from other conventions (like biodiversity and desertification) must be clearly aligned with adaptation, not just environmental monitoring. National context may be reflected through sub-indicators. After lengthy negotiations, countries reached consensus on language regarding the Means of Implementation (MOI), a key element tied to financing and support. Some countries, particularly the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), pushed for a concrete financial goal for adaptation to be included under the GGA, citing the Baku Adaptation Roadmap. However, developed nations resisted, pointing out that the roadmap lacks specific targets or figures, especially for LDCs. Non-market mechanisms The role of non-market approaches (NMAs) under Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement, such as carbon taxes, payments, and sustainability standards, featured prominently at the Bonn climate talks. While a collaborative platform for NMAs has already been set up, progress has been sluggish. That said, more than 20 organizations have expressed willingness to support international cooperation via NMAs. An informal note from the Chair of the UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) was issued ahead of COP30. It noted growing interest in NMAs, with nearly 100 countries having appointed contact points. The note proposed upgrades to the NMA platform, capacity-building support for developing nations, and a COP30 workshop focused on sustainable forest management that integrates both adaptation and mitigation goals. Bonn also hosted a workshop on Article 6.8. One proposal suggested allowing countries to implement NMAs individually – without needing bilateral or regional partnerships – but this sparked debate, as it contradicts the principle of international cooperation embedded in Article 6. Another concept gaining attention was the “contribution approach,” which shifts focus from states to corporations pursuing carbon neutrality. Under this model, large companies could fund NMA projects in specific regions and partially claim climate benefits without buying carbon credits. While promising, the idea raises concerns about double counting and compatibility with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Still, many participants supported further exploration. Several side events in Bonn also spotlighted upcoming NDC 3.0 submissions, due by COP30. These next-generation national climate plans are expected to drive global climate action through 2035. Over 25 countries, including some major economies, have already submitted draft updates to the UNFCCC registry. Talks also continued on the Baku–Belém Roadmap 1.3T, a plan to mobilize $1.3 trillion per year in climate finance for developing countries by 2035 – $300 billion from the Global North and $1 trillion from the Global South. Developed countries promoted large-scale private finance, but environmental groups and developing nations expressed doubts, noting that over 50 leading private banks are still funding fossil fuel projects. Least Developed Countries highlighted the urgent need for funding to address loss and damage, while Arab states pushed for more investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS). Brazil, the host of COP30, informally announced its three priorities: protecting tropical forests, promoting agroecology, and increasing private finance for climate action. Session outcomes and implications for Kazakhstan Countries demonstrated slow but steady progress in preparing decisions under the Paris Agreement, particularly in discussions on adaptation indicators, the Baku–Belém Roadmap, and non-market mechanisms under Article 6.8, especially in terms of attracting private investment. Ahead of COP30, Kazakhstan would benefit from launching an inclusive national dialogue on its draft NDC-3 (Nationally Determined Contribution), engaging business associations and civil society. It should also appoint a national focal point for negotiations on non-market approaches (NMA) under Article 6.8. This includes advancing carbon standards and certification mechanisms for offset projects – critical steps in aligning with international climate frameworks. A key element of Kazakhstan’s preparation for COP30 is the continued development of its National Carbon Neutrality Roadmap to 2060, led by the Ministry of National Economy. In parallel, regional cooperation should be deepened. Strengthening integration with other Central Asian countries will be vital for improving access to climate finance, echoing President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s call at the Central Asia–EU Summit in Samarkand in April 2025 and in the declaration of the BRICS Summit that took place on July 6 this year. To support these efforts, Kazakhstan should invest in expert training and capacity-building. Establishing a climate education hub for senior officials, modeled on the UAE’s leadership academy, would be a valuable step forward. Bakhyt Yessekina is a Doctor of Economic Sciences and a member of the Green Council under the President of Kazakhstan. She also heads the Green Academy Research Educational Center. Alexey Kokorin of the Nature and People Foundation, is a leading expert on climate change, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Astana Times.