The 56th session of the subsidiary bodies (SB56) took place from 6 to 16 June 2022, at the World Convention Center Bonn, Germany. WEDO staff members were on the ground to provide technical analysis and capacity strengthening, as well as to lay a strong foundation toward COP27 with advocates from the Women & Gender Constituency (WGC).

Members of the WGC holding an action to call for funding for loss and damage at the Bonn Climate Conference.

• While Bonn was the opportunity to discuss the absolutely dire warnings of the latest IPCC report, action continues to fail to meet the urgency of the moment. This was highlighted most clearly in the continued refusal to make headway around critical issues of climate justice—such as clear and additional funding streams for losses and damages due to climate change—a key ask of developing countries. 
• The Gender Action Plan (GAP) is under review, and there remains much work to be done to advance the understanding of gender equality in relation to climate justice and climate change policy making. 
• Movements however, are more coordinated than ever in the push for action—in particular around climate finance. Throughout the two weeks, a cross-constituency effort raised the urgency and frustration of many via coordinated actions. 
• The Women & Gender Constituency (WGC) was present and vocal, making interventions around finance, loss and damage, ocean issues, and technology, among other items. Members of the WGC engaged in the Opening Plenary of the Global Stocktake, which aims to evaluate progress on the Paris Agreement, and raised attention for gender as a crosscutting element. The WGC’s African Taskforce also held meetings and events and solidified leadership towards COP27.

• The WGC launched the 2022 application for its annual Gender-Just Climate Solutions Awards.
• The WGC held a Strategy Session to reflect on the Bonn Climate Conference and strategize toward COP 27.