Climate Change Archives

USCIB represented members at the 64th Sessions of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Bodies (SB64), held June 8–18 in Bonn, Germany. Agnes Vinblad, Senior Director for Environment and Sustainable Development led USCIB’s engagements, working closely with the team from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). These annual meetings serve as the primary negotiating session ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), laying the groundwork for decisions to be taken later this year at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

This year’s Bonn Climate Change Conference convened against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, historic pressure on global energy markets, and a growing debate over the future effectiveness of the UN climate process.

“Without US government leadership in this process, strong participation by the US private sector has perhaps never been more important to ensure that decisions reached in these rooms are still reflective of US economic realities,” said Vinblad.

 

 

USCIB Leadership and Engagement in Bonn

As the official US affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), USCIB plays an important role within the ICC-led global Business and Industry (BINGO) constituency at the UNFCCC. As the only US business association actively engaged throughout the full two weeks of negotiations, USCIB continues to provide members with unique visibility, access, and opportunities to help inform international climate policy discussions.

“As we continue to prepare for COP31 later this year, and with issues related to trade increasingly making its way into the negotiations, it is clear that international climate policy still greatly impacts US business operations across key markets. USCIB will continue to ensure that US business remain a voice in this process,” Vinblad said.

In Bonn, USCIB helped shape and deliver Business and Industry interventions across several negotiating tracks, including negotiations on mitigation, cooperation with other international organizations and Rio Convention synergies, just transition, and topics related to private sector inclusion and observer engagement in the UNFCCC process.

Beyond the formal negotiations, USCIB participated in bilateral meetings with negotiators and senior officials from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Türkiye, Armenia, the European Union, representatives of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), members of the COP31 Presidency team, and senior UNFCCC officials to discuss priorities for the road ahead to Antalya.

USCIB and the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs co-hosted a reception and panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: Aligning Climate and Biodiversity Policy,” held in New York during the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). 

The event brought together leaders from business, academia, civil society, and international organizations for a dynamic conversation on how to best leverage synergies between climate and biodiversity policy interventions, while avoiding unintended negative consequences.  

A panel discussion moderated by Agnes Vinblad, USCIB’s Director of Environment & Sustainable Development, explored the complex interplay between climate change and biodiversity policies, emphasizing the role that integrated policy approaches could play in avoiding duplicative reporting requirements and regulatory fragmentation.  

The panel of high-level speakers included Carolyn Kissane, Associate Dean of the New York University School of Professional Studies (SPS) Center for Global Affairs; USCIB Board of Directors member Alejandra Castro, VP of International Affairs and Sustainability Strategy at Bayer AG; and, multilateral finance expert Glenn Hodes, Senior Adviser on SDG Investment, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). 

“This event was a great opportunity to showcase USCIB’s unique role in representing US business across both climate change and biodiversity negotiations,” said Vinblad. “While there could be many benefits in better alignment between climate and biodiversity policies, it is also critical to ensure that we protect carefully negotiated legal mandates and avoid duplication of work.” 

Following the event, attendees continued the conversation at a reception hosted at the Carnegie Council rooftop.  

Agnes Vinblad, USCIB Director for Environment and Sustainable Development, represented members at the recently concluded UN Bonn Climate Change Conference, also known as the 62nd Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – the most important preparatory meeting ahead of the 30th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP30) in November.

Notably, this was the first session of the SBs in UNFCCC history without any US government participation, a development that contributed to heightened divisions amongst parties and set the stage for challenging negotiations. 

The session in Bonn was off to a difficult start, with formal negotiations delayed by two days due to an especially contentious “agenda fight” centered on proposals from global south Parties to add additional agenda items: one to deal with the obligation of developed countries to provide finance to developing countries (Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement), and one item to deal with trade-restrictive unilateral measures. 

Despite reaching an agenda compromise, deep global south and global north divisions persisted during the two weeks in Bonn, particularly over finance and trade-related topics. 

The absence of the US government allowed global south blocs to assert their priorities more strongly, changing negotiation dynamics and likely setting the stage for a challenging COP in November. 

USCIB Engagement in Bonn 

USCIB’s Vinblad represented members for the full two weeks of negotiations in Bonn, playing a central role in the global business and industry delegation. Vinblad made interventions on behalf of global business during negotiations on just transition and observer engagement, and also represented the Global Business and Industry Constituency during the high-level COP Troika Dialogue, convened by the COP Presidencies for COP28, COP29, and COP30.  

Vinblad met bilaterally with numerous key governments, “For us, it was a key priority to make sure that Parties know that US businesses are still actively engaged in the UNFCCC process, regardless of recent government developments,” she said. “Decisions reached under the UNFCCC impacts and directs critical investment decisions, and strategic planning, for most major global businesses – it is imperative to remain involved in this process”, Vinblad concluded. 

• June 15: Vinblad served as the only in-person private sector representative for the technical expert exchange convened by the UN Biodiversity and UN Climate Change Secretariats, to discuss enhanced policy coherence on climate change and biodiversity. Vinblad made multiple interventions during the session. 

• June 17: USCIB Environment Committee Co-Chair, Justin Perrettson (Novonesis), chaired the daily Global Business and Industry Briefing which included Jim Skea, Chair of the IPCC, as guest speaker.

• June 21: Vinblad delivered the Global Business and Industry intervention during the contact group for Arrangements for Intergovernmental Meetings (AIM) (view statement).  

• June 23: Vinblad chaired the daily Global Business and Industry Briefing which included key negotiator Tulio Andrade, Chief Strategy and Alignment Officer, from the COP30 Brazil Presidency. 

• June 24: Vinblad delivered the Global Business and Industry intervention during the contact group for the Just Transition Work Programme (view statement).

• June 24: Vinblad delivered the Global Business and Industry intervention during the high-level Troika Dialogue (view statement). 

In terms of key negotiated priorities for USCIB, progress was achieved on important items such as the Mitigation Work Programme (MWP), the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), and the technical indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). However, a lot of work remains to be completed at COP30.        

Jose Arroyo, Manager of Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs at USCIB, was mentioned in an EHS Today article titled, “Global Organization Adopts Standards on Biological Hazards in Workplace,” on June 17. 

The article follows the recent adoption of the first-ever international labor convention focused on protecting workers from biological hazards in the working environment. The International Labour Organization’s Convention, adopted at 113th International Labour Conference (ILC), sets a new global benchmark for occupational safety and health, particularly relevant in the event of epidemics and potential future pandemics.  

“We are pleased to support the Convention—as a pragmatic instrument developed through genuine dialogue—which will help in protecting workers against biological hazards,” said Arroyo. 

Read the full article here (paywall enforced). 

USCIB Director for Environment & Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad represented the global Business and Industry constituency in a UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Dialogue with the Chairs of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB) at the UN Climate COP in Azerbaijan on November 14.

During this exchange, the SB Chairs provided updates on the negotiations thus far and welcomed input from the nine constituency groups, including business. Vinblad emphasized business support for a robust decision on the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance (NCQG), outlining the need for a strong and central public finance commitment at the core of the new climate finance decision. However – as almost half of climate finance today is provided by private sector – global business also calls for a constructive “outer layer” of the NCQG, to send the right investment signals to the private sector, and to align the global financial system with the Paris Agreement.

USCIB is pleased to share a comprehensive, chronological recap of our activity during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). USCIB leadership and policy staff covered a wide range of high-level meetings and events and were excited to support many of our members’ activities. From discussions on digital policy to climate change to food systems, USCIB was at the table highlighting the critical role that US businesses play in helping solve our world’s greatest challenges. USCIB celebrated the UN’s adoption of the UN Pact for the Future during the Summit of the Future (SOTF) and launched a parallel Business Pact for the Future to accelerate implementation of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.  

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International Equal Pay Day Event and Reception  
September 18  

Hosted by the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), the ILO, UN Women, and the OECD in celebration of International Equal Pay Day, this event raised awareness of successful policies, initiatives, and tools that are reducing the gender pay gap. USCIB Policy Manager, Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Gabrielle Girard attended the event. 

 

Business Pact for the Future Launch 
September 20 

USCIB and The USCIB Foundation hosted a “Business Pact for the Future (BPF)” launch event for the UN community and the private sector at the Yale Club of New York on September 20. BPF is a business initiative to accelerate implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, a centerpiece of the SOTF. UN Ambassadors from Canada and the United States, UN representatives from the UN Foundation and UNDP, as well as USCIB leadership—President & CEO Whitney Baird and SVP for Policy and Global Strategy Norine Kennedy—spoke at this event. Members from Novonesis, Microsoft, and Salesforce also spoke.  Read more about this event.  

 

Fostering Economic and Collective Resilience in a Fractured Global Financial Landscape: Solutions for a Path Forward 
September 21 

USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird spoke at this official UN Action Day side event hosted by the Mission of Mexico to the UN, the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the NGO Civil Society Committee. Baird’s remarks focused on the business community’s view that enabling frameworks are key for economic resilience, including the policy and market rules that support multilateral trade, investment, and domestic resource deployment necessary to advance the SDGs. Other speakers from the International Monetary Fund, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, World Vision International, and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) shared their priorities for the 4th UN International Conference on Finance for Development (FfD4), to be held in Spain next summer.   

 

The Global Digital Compact: A Roadmap to Advance Sustainable Digital Transformation for an Equitable and Sustainable World  
September 21

This High-Level Roundtable, convened as part of the SOTF, presented a roadmap towards the implementation of the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC), an important SOTF outcome. The event was hosted by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology (OSET). USCIB members Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce spoke about digital inclusion, universal connectivity, and how to work together to build a digital future for all. 

 

The AI Opportunity Summit for UN Leaders  
September 22 

USCIB VP for Digital Policy Cheryl Miller attended this Summit, hosted by USCIB member Microsoft. Participants heard from Microsoft CEO Brad Smith about “tech stack” and how technology can empower kids with education, create environmental solutions, and broadly support the UN SDGs. 

 

Representation Matters Reception 
September 22 

USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird attended this event hosted by USCIB member Salesforce and Women Political Leaders (WPL) to hear from inspirational executives that are championing the cause of women in leadership and policy. The guiding principles of the Pact for the Future—inclusive governance, multilateral cooperation, and equitable representation—remained at the forefront of conversations at this event. From dialogues on increasing representation to tackling AI-driven abuse and addressing health equity, the critical role of women’s leadership has been evident throughout UNGA. 

 

Designing the Future of the Plastics Industry  
September 23 

This high-level breakfast roundtable, hosted by USCIB, the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), and the World Plastics Council (WPC) discussed the future of the plastics industry ahead of the final negotiating round for a global plastic pollution treaty. Senior business leaders and key government participants engaged in an open discussion on central issues related to plastic pollution and the INC process. USCIB President and CEO Whitney Baird provided opening remarks and a wide range of USCIB members participated.  

 

Financing the Energy Transition   
September 23 

USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird participated in this high-level roundtable, organized by ICC Global and ICC Brazil. The event was hosted at USCIB member law firm Baker & McKenzie and included approximately 40 multisectoral business representatives from across the world. Christophe McGlade, Head of Energy Supply at the International Energy Agency (IEA) led the discussion, presenting research on challenges pertaining to accelerating the energy transition in developing and emerging economies. Discussions focused on innovative financing solutions to better leverage private capital, such as blended finance, concessional finance, and the urgent need for derisking of energy infrastructure projects across the Global South. 

 

UNGA 2024 Global Stage Reception  
September 23

USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird and ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin joined representatives across business, government, civil society, and the technical community at the UNGA 2024 Global State Reception hosted by USCIB member Microsoft.  As we work to build an inclusive and people-centered digital economy for all, the Secretary General explained that we need “universal meaningful connectivity” at the outset of building advanced technologies. 

 

Launch of the World Social Protection Report 2024-2026  
September 24 

USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird spoke at the launch of the World Social Protection Report 2024-2026 on behalf of IOE. The event was held at the UN and hosted by the South Africa Mission to the UN, represented by Dr. Dion George MP, and the International Labour Organization, represented by Director–General Gilbert F. Houngbo. International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General Secretary Luc Triangle also spoke at the event. It was also attended by the USCIB Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Team: Ewa Staworzynska, Jose Arroyo, and Gabrielle Girard. Read more about this event. 

 

Turbocharging UN 2.0: Business as a Catalyst for Global Progress  
September 24 

USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird joined IOE, Salesforce, and US Ambassador Chris Lu at “Turbocharging the UN 2.0,” an open dialogue on the challenges facing the private sector in partnering with the UN, particularly on SDG implementation.  From AI re-skilling programs to innovative ways to share data, it is clear that employers are doing a great deal. Global/local partnerships are key to multistakeholder engagement.

 

Food System Innovations, Disruptions, and Transparency  
September 24 

Hosted by USCIB member Deloitte, this event brought together food systems stakeholders and advocates to share the challenges they are facing now and, in the future, and how companies are innovating to create sustainable food value chains. As companies face system shocks from climate change, conflict, competition, and other areas, the solutions needed require collaboration and investment. USCIB Director for International Agriculture Policy Natalie Bidner attended this event. 

 

Reception on Global Food Security Initiatives  
September 24 

USCIB Director for International Agriculture Policy Natalie Bidner attended this reception, hosted at the Roosevelt House for Public Policy. The reception was an intimate gathering of leaders working in Guatemala to implement the Vision for Adapted Crops & Soils (VACS) and Regenerative Agriculture. Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez, USCIB member Cargill, and others spoke on the importance of supporting and announcing $5 million in food security assistance to Guatemalan farmers to achieve food security and resilient food systems. 

 

Leading Change with Sustainability and Responsible AI: Harnessing Digitalization for a Better Future  
September 24 

USCIB Director for Environment and Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad attended this event hosted at One World Trade Center. Conversations at the event were guided by the UN SOTF and focused on how public and private sectors worldwide are harnessing the power of digitalization, accelerated by AI, to create a socially and environmentally sustainable future for all. This event was organized by Celonis and discussions centered on the potential of AI and other advanced technologies in accelerating implementation of the Paris Agreement and other key multilateral environmental agreements.  

 

Walmart Salon Dinner on Sourcing Resiliency and Supplier Development  
September 24 

USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird attended a salon dinner curated by Walmart. Experts from business, think tanks, and multilateral institutions discussed sourcing resilience and inclusive growth. Throughout the dinner, participants also discussed topics shaping the future of global supply chains and inclusive business practices and came away with some actionable insights to shape strategies that enhance resilience.  

 

Reimagining Trust: People-Powered Policy Making for an Inclusive Digital Future  
September 25 

USCIB partnered with Walmart to host this breakfast roundtable on using digital tools to build trust in the communities where we operate. USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird gave opening remarks.  Baird’s remarks focused on the importance of public and private partnerships and how digital policies should better respond to and reflect lived experiences. USCIB is seeking to foster people-powered policymaking through its recently launched Business Pact for the Future, a business initiative to accelerate implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, a centerpiece of the SOTF.  USCIB, Mastercard, Microsoft, Walmart, and several academic and civil society groups discussed how to build trust and overcome the digital divide. Read more here.

 

The Global Digital Compact: Reflecting on the Role of the State in the Digital Economy  
September 25 

USCIB President & CEO Whitney Baird moderated this roundtable, hosted by Mastercard on the GDC. USCIB VP for Digital Policy Cheryl Miller spoke at the event about the future of digital public infrastructure and the outcomes of the GDC. USCIB members Apple and Microsoft also attended. 

 

Washington Post Live – This is Climate: Innovating for the Future  
September 25 

USCIB Director for Environment and Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad attended this event, jointly hosted by Washington Post and Samsung. This series of on-stage conversations centered on innovative climate tech solutions to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. This live news program featured Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and White House National Climate Advisor and James Manyika, Senior Vice President for Technology and Society Research at USCIB member company Google. Some key solutions referenced include the critical role of leveraging advanced technologies to develop early climate disaster warning systems and the potential to increase energy efficiency through incentivizing tax credits.  

 

Agriculture Climate Week Events   
September 25 

The International Agri-Food Network hosted a day of events to support the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN’s Commit to Grow Equality initiative and gender equity in food systems. During the events, discussions focused on sustainable forestry practices and holistic livestock management to support healthy soils and ecosystems. These events highlighted the efforts of farmers, coalitions, businesses, researchers, and governments are making to support healthy and resilient ecosystems to pass onto the next generation. USCIB Director for International Agriculture Policy Natalie Bidner attended these events. 

 

Feeding a Fragile World: Building Resilient Food Systems and Reception  
September 25 

Economist Impact brought together the head of the Alliance for a Green Revolution (AGRA) and the business community to showcase a new initiative—the Food Imperative—to support decision-makers with data and insights to rethink sustainable food systems. Participants heard from Lineage, Nestle, Danone, and EIT Food on their initiatives to create resilient food systems and how agriculture will plan into the national adaptation plans. USCIB Director for International Agriculture Policy Natalie Bidner attended this event. 

 

2024 World Biodiversity Summit  
September 26 

The 2024 World Biodiversity Summit gathered key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to engage in constructive discussions on how to achieve the greatest possible progress at the upcoming UN Biodiversity COP16, where many critical negotiation items will be up for decision. USCIB Director for Environment and Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad attended this day-long event, where key agenda items covered: the urgent need to further mobilize investment in nature-based solutions, how to better integrate climate and biodiversity considerations, as well as the strong need to simplify and promote harmonization across biodiversity reporting standards and disclosure frameworks.  

 

High Level Dialogue on the Role of Private Sector in the Baku Initiative for Climate Finance, Investment and Trade (BICFIT)  
September 26 

On the final morning of Climate Week, the COP29 Climate Champions Team and the COP29 Presidency convened a high-level discussion on the recently launched COP29 Presidency Baku Initiative for Climate Finance, Investment, and Trade (BICFIT). USCIB Director for Environment and Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad attended this dialogue. This is a new partnership aimed at enhancing coherence by better integrating climate finance, investment, trade, and sustainable development agendas. The goal of BICFIT is to ensure that climate finance, investment, and trade are considered in national climate policies and development plans, while also exploring ways to attract climate-positive investments.  

 

Implementing Inclusive Workplace Practices: Lessons from Brazil and the Global Business Community 
September 26 

USCIB SVP for Policy and Global Strategy Norine Kennedy attended this event hosted by The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). As co-chair of the B20 Brazil Women, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Council, SHRM convened business leaders, human resources professionals, and corporate policymakers to highlight the B20 Action Council’s policy recommendations and share innovative approaches to enhancing equity and inclusion in global workplaces. Organized by SHRM Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs, and Corporate Secretary Emily Dickens (USCIB Board Member), the event featured LinkedIn Head of Global Public Policy Partnerships Sarah Steinberg and ICC Brazil Executive Director Gabriella Dorlhiac. 

 

We look forward to an even more action-packed session next year, when the 80th anniversary of the United Nations coincides with the 80th anniversary of USCIB. 

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Last week during the UN General Assembly, USCIB President and CEO Whitney Baird was a panelist at the “Launch of the World Social Protection Report 2024-2026” on behalf of USCIB and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE).  

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, launched its flagship World Social Protection Report 2024-2026: Universal Social Protection for Climate Action and a Just Transition.  

This high-level event explored the themes and policy recommendations of the Report and provided a forum for reflection on key policy messages related to universal social protection and climate action.   

South Africa’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dion George and ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo gave opening remarks. General Secretary of the International Trade Union (ITUC) Luc Triangle also spoke. 

The report focuses on the climate crisis and the need to transition to a more sustainable world and provides a global overview of progress made around the world since 2015 in extending social protection. The report also identifies protection gaps and sets out key policy recommendations, including those for achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.   

The OECD-IEA (International Energy Agency) Climate Change Expert Group (CCXG) convened its Global Forum on the Environment and Climate Change at the OECD headquarters in Paris from September 17-18. USCIB Director for Environment and Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad served as the global lead Business at OECD (BIAC) delegate. Vinblad made interventions on behalf of business and industry in discussions on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), countries’ national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.  

USCIB member Charles Franklin (American Chemistry Council) also actively participated in the Forum, while USCIB members from Bayer, Chevron, and ExxonMobil attended the sessions virtually.  

The CCXG Global Forums are convened twice a year and bring together climate negotiators and delegates from both developed and developing countries, representatives from the private sector, and broader civil society, and other experts, to discuss items currently under negotiation at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

This CCXG Global Forum served as a preparatory informal discussion ahead of the 29th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP29), scheduled for November in Baku, with numerous climate negotiators from key governments attending, including representatives from the US Delegation. Discussions focused on:  

• The NCQG (New Collective Quantified Goal), also known as “the new global climate finance goal,” and, 

• Mitigation elements of next NDCs 

“The private sector should be a key knowledge partner for countries in their process to develop next NDCs, especially when it comes to identifying and prioritizing investment needs and identifying and addressing barriers,” said Vinblad. 

“The global business community strongly supports countries prioritizing an investment lens when thinking about the implementation of their NDCs. We encourage countries to develop investment plans to underpin their NDCs. Businesses look towards NDCs for signals and depend on a policy environment that promotes predictability, stability, and that provides clear incentives,” Vinblad continued. 

As the sole official US affiliate of Business at OECD (BIAC), USCIB members have unique access to contribute to – and participate in – OECD processes and meetings. 

From June 3-13, USCIB represented its members at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Bonn Climate Change Conference, held in Bonn, Germany. This annual meeting is a critical preparatory negotiation session ahead of the main Climate Conference of Parties (COP) each year, and USCIB representatives focused on key business topics to be discussed later this year at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

USCIB’s Director for Environment and Sustainable Development, Agnes Vinblad, served as one of two Global Business and Industry Representatives to the first Global Dialogue convened under the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme (UAE JTWP). Throughout the two days of the dialogue, Vinblad delivered five interventions and participated actively throughout the discussion with government delegates and other observer representatives. 

During the two weeks of formal negotiations in Bonn, USCIB prioritized sessions related to the mitigation work program, just transition work program, adaptation, and follow-up items from the first Global Stocktake (GST). USCIB also placed special emphasis on engaging with key delegations bilaterally and contributed actively to the daily global Business & Industry (BINGO) morning briefings each day.  

USCIB key advocacy wins include:  

• Advocated for US Business views to be considered in the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), i.e. national pledges under the Paris Agreement, to be completed next year, resulting in an invitation to deepen and continue the conversation with USCIB members. 
• Successful follow-up engagement regarding the UNFCCC Secretariat Policy for Engagement and Collaboration with Non-Party Stakeholders (NPS), strengthening USCIB’s relationship with the Secretariat and resulting in plans for further engagement, as USCIB continues to argue for non-discriminatory access, inclusion and treatment of business representatives. 
• Continued serving as the lead US business voice on the UNFCCC Recognition and Accountability Framework on private sector net-zero pledges, and relayed USCIB member feedback to the UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. 

 USCIB key engagements included: 

• June 5: USCIB represented the Global Business and Industry constituency (BINGO) during the UNFCCC High-Level Champions Dialogue with Constituency Focal Points. 
• June 8: USCIB chaired the BINGO briefing and was joined by negotiators from the U.S. Delegation, Kevin Adams on climate finance, and Claire Cvitanovich on agriculture. 
• June 11: USCIB delivered the BINGO statement during the final session of the agenda item Arrangement of Intergovernmental Meetings (AIM) on observer engagement in the UNFCCC process.  

For more information, contact Agnes Vinblad avinblad@uscib.org 

On June 2-3 in Bonn, Germany, USCIB’s Director of Environment & Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad served as one of two formal representatives on behalf of the Global Business & Industry (BINGO) Constituency to the first Dialogue convened under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme (UAE JTWP). The UAE JTWP was established via mandate coming out of COP28 in Dubai. 

The first Dialogue under the UAE JTWP was held under the theme “Just transition pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Long-term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS).” 

The two days were marked by active discussions amongst Parties and Non-Party Stakeholder representatives, exploring best practices and lessons learned in implementing just transition initiatives and frameworks, and identifying support needs for better integration of just transition considerations in Parties next round of NDCs, NAPs and LT-LEDs. 

During the sessions, Vinblad brought forth key points for business when considering just transition: 

“The global business community especially encourages more robust mapping of already existing just transition implementation efforts across the private sector to get a clearer picture of best practices as well as to identify gaps to understand specific support needs; this is especially critical in understanding the needs of micro-small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in regions most impacted by climate change. Business encourages regional and national partnerships that bring together all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards truly data-driven just transition integration in next round NDCs, NAPs, and LT-LEDS,” said Vinblad. 

“But the most critical point is to ensure that just transition policy measures are truly responsive, rooted in the real economy, considering sector-specific needs, and adapt to local, national and regional circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all when talking about just transition,” Vinblad continued. 

The first Dialogue under the JTWP was convened during the SB60 pre-sessional in the days prior to the formal start of the UNFCCC Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB60). SB60 is scheduled for June 3 – 13, where Vinblad will engage in continued negotiations on just transition, along with other key priority items for USCIB members, such as matters pertaining to climate finance, carbon markets, adaptation, and mitigation.