Community Resilience Specialist Nizhoni Tallas traveled to Bonn, Germany in June for the United Nations Climate Change Conference SB60—a convening of Parties and observers globally to negotiate and refine climate policies, with a focus on advancing Indigenous-led initiatives and community-driven climate action. Nizhoni shares her experience on today’s blog!
The United Nations Climate Change Conference SB60, held from June 3-14, 2024, in Bonn, Germany, convened Parties and observers globally to negotiate and refine climate policies. The conference focused on advancing Indigenous-led initiatives and community-driven climate action, as well as advancing strategies toward climate finance, energy, and transparency. Nizhoni Tallas, Community Resilience Specialist at Climate Science Alliance attended the event and had the opportunity to share her knowledge and current projects that exemplify Indigenous-led climate action. Read her experience below.
Attending the UN Climate Change Conference SB60 this past June was an experience that left a profound impact on me. Walking into those conference rooms, I felt both excitement and a sense of responsibility. It wasn’t just about being part of a global conversation on climate change; it was about forming connections with others who are equally passionate about protecting our planet. I had the opportunity to meet Indigenous youth from across the world, each of them driven by the same love for Mother Earth that fuels my own work.
One of the main focuses of the conference was the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). The discussions centered around how to channel crucial funding to support the climate action plans of developing countries. There was also a lot of debate about whether this new goal would cover "loss and damage." Another key theme was the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), which aims to build trust and confidence by ensuring that the reports published by Parties undergo thorough, multi-layered reviews.
Some of the most memorable moments for me were attending meetings and negotiations that delved into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and the Ocean Dialogue. The Ocean Dialogue, in particular, highlighted the importance of marine biodiversity conservation, coastal resilience, and ocean energy technologies. While it was challenging to navigate the complex policy language, I made it a point to ensure that the meetings I attended didn’t overlook the significance of Indigenous-led initiatives and traditional knowledge.
This experience has been an eye-opener. It has made me more aware of the global scale at which these climate issues are being addressed. Yet, it has also reaffirmed my belief in the importance of working on climate action at a local level, within our communities. I know I have much more to learn, but this journey has already shifted my perspective in meaningful ways.
For me, this conference was not just about understanding global policies but about bringing those insights back to the grassroots level. The passion I witnessed among the Indigenous youth, their commitment to protecting our shared home, Mother Earth, has inspired me to continue the work that I do, with even more dedication. I felt fortunate to contribute to these important conversations by sharing about my role in the Climate Science Alliance and getting the chance to share CNNCTS as a model among other international approaches of Indigenous-led climate stewardship. I did this by sharing how projects like CNNCTS create pathways for advancing Indigenous-led stewardship, upholding the equal valuation of knowledges, and putting Indigenous Data and Knowledge Sovereignty policies into practice.