Attending the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Body (SB62) meetings in Bonn, Germany was a surreal experience. In June 2025, after months of studying the UNFCCC structure and negotiation blocs in Dr. Robinson’s ENVS 385: Climate Policy class, I suddenly found myself walking the same halls as negotiators, scientists, and advocates from nearly 200 countries. As a part of Emory’s delegation to SB62, I decided to create a guide for first-time attendees like myself. While climate diplomats and negotiations can be intimidating, if you know how to navigate the space, you can really learn a lot and apply the knowledge you have learned from ENVS courses, and I hope other Emory students will be able to experiment the same.
Navigation Tips
One of the first things I realized at SB62 was just how massive and interconnected the climate negotiation process is. There are multiple sessions, contact groups, and side events happening simultaneously — everything from gender-transformative approaches to climate finance to indigenous-led decolonization of investment structures.
Networking at SB62 was less about traditional corporate connections and more about curiosity. Early in the week, one of my mentors reminded me, “It’s okay to admit you’re new; people appreciate transparency.” That advice became my anchor.
I started conversations with simple questions, such as, “I noticed you’re also an observer. What are you hoping to take away from this SB?”
It turns out most people were happy to share. From there, I learned to spot small visual cues like country pins and constituency badges. I then used these cues as conversation starters. These small exchanges opened doors to larger, ongoing discussions and even future collaboration possibilities.
One particularly insightful connection was with a delegate from Egypt, who recommended I keep a QR code to my LinkedIn profile ready to share. This is a small yet effective gesture in a fast-paced international setting where conversations often have small durations, but are of significant importance when it comes to maintaining connections after the meetings.
Side events at SB62 became my favorite part of the week. They were smaller, more personal spaces where researchers, NGOs, and government representatives came together to discuss everything from climate adaptation in West Africa’s coastal regions to Indigenous climate leadership. These sessions made visible the human side of policy. I was especially struck by discussions on how women are often used instrumentally in adaptation projects, a structural weakness that reflects deeper equity gaps in global funding frameworks.
