As COP31 expectations grow, LDC Group insists SB64 outcomes fall short – EnviroNews

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As the June climate meetings (SB64) concluded in Bonn on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group on Climate Change has expressed concern that negotiations have not kept pace with the growing urgency of climate crises, and the need for greater ambition and implementation ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

“We are deeply concerned that as climate impacts accelerate, our response remains dangerously short. We are disappointed at the lack of progress across key agenda items at SBs64, in particular on adaptation and mitigation. We must show that multilateralism can deliver.” said Ambassador Adao Soares Barbosa, Chair of the Least Developed Countries Group on Climate Change.

The LDC Group says it rejects attempts to undermine science at this session, adding that science is neither contentious nor negotiable.

“It is the foundation for climate action and the basis for protecting vulnerable countries from escalating climate impacts. For LDCs, 1.5°C is a lifeline, not a political preference,” stated the group, pointing out that SB64 showed that much more work is needed before COP31 in Türkiye to turn commitments into delivery.

The LDC Group added: “Climate finance continues to be our most pressing concern. SB64 showed that trust depends on delivery. COP31 must resolve outstanding issues on the Adaptation Fund, including its smooth transition to exclusively serve the Paris Agreement, given its vital role in supporting adaptation in vulnerable countries.

“COP31 must also deliver simplified access to climate finance, particularly for the most vulnerable countries, while advancing work on tripling adaptation finance and the Climate Finance Work Programme, in line with Article 9.1 and the commitment to provide climate finance at the scale required.

“We continue to call for accelerated implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation, including the operationalisation of the Belém adaptation indicators and advancement of the Belém–Addis Vision agreed at COP30 and it was extremely disappointing that progress could not be made at this session.

“We urge Parties to strengthen the Mitigation Work Programme, accelerate emissions reductions in this critical decade and ensure that climate action remains guided by the best available science. Any overshoot of 1.5°C would expose vulnerable communities, economies and ecosystems to

increasingly severe and potentially irreversible impacts and express concern that we were not able to capture a substantive outcome on mitigation.

“On Just Transition, we welcome the progress forwarded to COP31. This marks an important step towards the operationalisation of the Just Transition Mechanism which must be LDC-responsive and grounded in our realities.

“Our communities cannot postpone the next drought, delay the next flood or negotiate with the next cyclone. They expect leadership, solidarity and delivery.

“We therefore urge all Parties to act with the urgency demanded by science and the humanity required by the moment, ensuring that the road to COP31 delivers meaningful outcomes for those most vulnerable to climate change.”