Article 7 of the Paris Agreement established the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) of enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. This is with a view to contributing to sustainable development and ensuring an adequate adaptation response in the context of the temperature goal. The GGA was one of the critical themes during the COP29 negotiations. The negotiations involved five Informal consultations (ICs), with most of the discussions conducted through Informal-Informal sessions (INF-INFs) amongst parties themselves to reach an agreement on the final text. Four iterations of the draft texts were produced within the first week (November 11-16), with the final decision text, Decision 2/CMA.6, published on November 23.
Key Focus areas: Adaptation Negotiations
Parties acknowledged and welcomed the efforts made by the secretariat, the experts and the Adaptation Committee (AC) for their contributions in the compilation, mapping and review exercise of indicators. Based on the progress and mandate by Decision 2/CMA5 on the United Arab Emirates-Framework on Global Climate Resilience (UAE-FGCR), parties decided to focus on discussions on the following three (3) agenda items;
- Consideration of matters relating to the GGA (Para. 38 (a-e) of Decision 2/CMA5)
- The UAE-Belem Work Programme on Indicators
- Transformational Adaptation
Consideration of matters relating to the Global Goal on Adaptation
Parties agreed to have matters relating to the GGA as a standalone agenda item to ensure there is space to discuss GGA issues at every meeting. This will be included in the agenda for the sessions at SB64 (June 2026) and subsequent sessions of the SBs and CMA.8 (November 2026) and subsequent sessions of the CMA.
The ‘Baku Adaptation Roadmap’– proposed by the Arab Group was launched (Para 29, CMA.6) to advance progress on GGA. Additionally, a high-level dialogue ‘Baku high-level dialogue on adaptation’, was proposed to be convened by the Presidency of the CMA on the margins of each CMA session to identify ways of enhancing the implementation of the UAE-FGCR.
Parties were initially requested to submit inputs on matters related to Para. 38 of Decision 2 of CMA.5 through the submission portal. However, due to the limited number of submissions received, an extension was requested and agreed upon with the deadline extended to 31st March 2025. In addition to the submissions on Para 38, parties are also expected to provide their views on the modalities for work under the Baku Adaptation Roadmap, through the submission portal by the same deadline, 31st March 2025 (Para 32, CMA.6)
Key Decisions under Para. 38 (a-e):
Importance of the exchange of knowledge, experience and information in achieving the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)
Parties acknowledged the need for the exchange of knowledge, experience and information and sharing best practices on the targets in achieving the GGA highlighting the work of the Adaptation Committee (AC), Least Developed Countries Experts Group (LEG), Facilitative Working Group of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform and other constituted bodies, and the Nairobi work programme on providing technical support on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change and at other adaptation fora. (Para 33, CMA.6)
(b) Identification of potential inputs to future Global Stocktakes
Parties proposed that the outcome of the UAE–Belém work programme should be a source of input for reporting by countries under the Global Stocktake (GST). The indicators under the work programme would allow for the aggregation of information to support GST and the assessment of progress in adaptation (Para 22, 23, CMA.6)
(c) and (d) Enhancing understanding of risks and impacts associated with different temperature increases across different regions and Importance of building on the best available science
Parties emphasized the importance of collaborating with the IPCC to understand risks and impacts associated with different temperature increases across different regions. Building on the best available science, parties endorsed collaboration with the IPCC and other organisations to provide information facilitate the implementation of the UAE-FGCR. The IPCC is well positioned to address the growing need of the best available science to support international negotiations. In this regard, Parties endorsed the decision of Working Group II of the IPCC on revising and updating the 1994 IPCC Technical Guidelines for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation. This update will include adaptation indicators, metrics and methodologies which will be considered as a separate product under Working Group II (WGII) in the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment cycle (AR7) Additionally, parties mandated the SB Chairs to collaborate with the IPCC in organizing a special event at SB62 to provide updates on the ongoing work of IPCC WGII. (Para 35, 36, 37, CMA.6 )
(e) Development of Terms of Reference for reviewing the United Arab Emirates – Framework for Global Climate Resilience (UAE-FGCR)
The review of the UAE-FGCR will be undertaken after the second (2nd) GST. The terms of reference for the review will be initiated for consideration after the completion of the UAE-Belem Work Programme (Para 38, CMA.6)
United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Belém Work programme on indicators
Means of Implementation (MoI)
All developing Party groupings (G77+China, AGN, LDC, India, AILAC, SUR and AOSIS) highlighted the importance of inclusion of MoI indicators, for the targets under the UAE-FGCR. Most developed countries (Australia, Canada, EU) did not support MoI indicators, particularly on finance to be developed for the targets. They argued that MoI is not within the mandate of the UAE-FGCR and that finance related issues are addressed under other agenda items. However, with consultations from the INF-INFs, the developed country parties were open to the MoI language in the last draft text submission. Experts were requested within their mandate of their work to consider developing indicators for means of implementation (Para 10(d), Para 21(g))
Outcome of the UAE-Belem work programme
Final Set of Indicators
From the final Decision text, the outcome will have a manageable set of no more than 100 indicators that are globally applicable to for analysis at the global level and a menu list of options that capture various contexts of adaptation actions, enabling Parties to choose which indicators they will report on considering their national circumstances (Para 20 (a-c), CMA.6). The CMA will decide on the final list of indicators in November 2025 (CMA.7) (Para 8, CMA.6)
Metadata
Parties also encouraged the inclusion of metadata information where applicable to the outcome of the indicators. The metadata information is to include Information on the intended purpose of and potential data sources for each of the indicators as well as the mechanisms needed to develop data standards for each indicator. (Para 26 (b), Para 21 (a) CMA.6)
Composition of the indicators
Parties highlighted that the outcome of indicators should include Indicators that capture information on inter alia, social inclusion, Indigenous Peoples, participatory processes, human rights, gender equality, migrants, children and young people, and persons with disabilities, Indicators that are relevant to specific ecosystems, where appropriate, to Parties with similar geographical conditions, Indicators that reflect the unique vulnerabilities of children to climate change impacts across the thematic targets and, potentially, cross-cutting indicators related to education and the health of children and young people (Para 21 (d-f))
Guidance of the review of the technical work programme:
Experts were tasked with considering the following in their work (Para 10(a-d), CMA.6):
- Common approaches and methodologies to be used when refining the indicators and developing new ones under the UAE–Belém work programme
- Need for collaboration across both the thematic and dimensional target expert groups to identify synergies
- Prioritize reducing the number of global indicators in the next stage of their work, keeping indicators that reflect overarching trends and common challenges related to adaptation efforts across countries
- Develop, if needed, or identify from the compilation and mapping indicators for means (enablers) of implementation of adaptation action
Other Considerations for the work programme (Para 11-15, CMA.6):
- Engagement with official statistical bodies at the national, regional and global level
- Encourage ongoing dialogue among Parties, experts and other stakeholders to support the refinement of existing and development of new indicators
- Need for organization of regular dialogues and workshops, over the next year, 2025 to review the progress of the refinement and development of indicators, including for means of implementation
- The Chairs of the SBs to organize a hybrid workshop under the UAE–Belém work programme, prior to SB62 (June 2025), to facilitate the work of the experts
- The secretariat to prepare and publish a summary report on the workshop no later than six (6) weeks prior to SB62.
- Inclusion of traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge systems in work under the United Arab Emirates Belém work programme Indicators
Additional Criteria in identifying potential indicators (Para. 17 (a-e)):
- Measurability and data availability to enable transparent monitoring of progress
- The ability to use data that is already available or can be easily collected by countries, including data from international databases and standardized reporting practices
- The use of metrics where baselines exist
- The relevance to multiple thematic targets
- Outcome and output orientation
Timeline and Reporting of the experts’ work
There was consensus for the technical experts to begin their work immediately after COP29 with their task including refining existing indicators, addressing gaps and developing new indicators as necessary.
The experts are required to produce a list of indicator options for Parties, complete with metadata where available and a progress report. All outputs, including technical reports with recommendations on the use of indicators, should be published no later than four weeks before SB62. This is to provide adequate time for review by Parties and publication by the secretariat prior to the workshop scheduled during SB62. (Para 26 (a-e))
Transformational Adaptation
Parties took note of the technical paper prepared by the secretariat on Transformational Adaptation. However, due to its late publication, they lacked sufficient time to review it and participate meaningfully in discussions. It was agreed to continue consideration of discussions on transformational adaptation at SB62. Further, the parties requested the secretariat to prepare a reader-friendly summary of the technical paper and make it available in all six official languages of the United Nations by April 2025. (Para. 41, CMA.6)
Call to Action
Following the outcomes of COP29, it is imperative for parties to actively engage in the preparatory process leading up to SB62 in Bonn, scheduled for June 2025. A key priority is the is the submission of technical inputs by March 2025, ensuring that parties contribute effectively to the GGA framework. Technical experts are expected to kickstart the refinement process and consolidate a priority list of indicators. This work will be instrumental in tracking progress towards the GGA. Additionally, the discussions on transformational adaptation are the center to achieving systemic and long-term resilience. Moving forward, sustained collaboration among parties, experts, and stakeholders will be essential to drive ambitious and actionable outcomes. As we approach SB62, there is a collective responsibility to ensure that adaptation efforts are guided by robust, science-driven indicators that reflect the urgency and scale of climate challenges, ultimately supporting communities in their pursuit of resilience and sustainability.
