NRGI at the Bonn Climate Talks 2025

At this year’s UN climate negotiations in Bonn, NRGI focused on two core priorities ahead of COP30, which will determine whether the global energy transition is just and sustainable for low- and middle-income countries that produce oil, gas and minerals:

• Advancing a fair and orderly transition away from fossil fuels, as called for in the Global Stocktake at COP28, and
• Securing stronger global governance of transition minerals, which is essential to delivering on the COP28 pledge to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and was highlighted by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.

The Bonn climate talks helped lay the groundwork for critical decisions at COP30. NRGI’s goal was to ensure that the priorities of oil, gas and mineral-producing countries help shape the ongoing climate negotiations, so the global energy transition delivers justice and equity for the people and regions that power it. 

Justice and Transitions: What Was at Stake at Bonn

A Fair Transition Away from Fossil Fuels  

The world cannot avoid catastrophic climate change without transitioning away from fossil fuels. And the energy transition cannot succeed, or be just, if it leaves behind countries that rely heavily on oil and gas for national income, jobs and energy security. Their national oil companies (NOCs), which produce a major share of the world’s oil, need clear policy signals and financial support for inclusive, green industrialization to plan responsibly for the future and manage transition risks.

We called for:  

• A clear framework for how countries will phase down fossil fuel production in a fair and predictable way; and
• International public finance to help NOCs pivot and invest in sustainable alternatives; 

(Marie Jacquemin | Photographer)

(IISD/ENB - Kiara Worth)

(Marie Jacquemin | Photographer)

Just Minerals for a Just Transition  

Minerals such as cobalt, copper and lithium are vital to renewable energy systems. Yet, without stronger governance, their extraction risks driving environmental harm and social injustice in producer countries — undermining climate goals and the wellbeing of millions.  

We advocated for:  

• Specific reference to the relevance of minerals governance to climate action targets in the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), which will ensure strong linkages and synergies with other relevant international processes and fora;  
• Recognition of the environmental and human risks – and important economic development opportunities — tied to mining in the Global South; and
• Commitments toward prioritizing fair and sustainable mineral supply chains ahead of COP30. 

Transition Finance: The Missing Link  

A just transition is impossible without funding and, too often, the countries most affected by climate change and resource dependence receive the least support.  

We emphasized:  

• Developed countries must lead by example, phasing out fossil fuels first and unlocking new financial flows;
• New finance must be adequate, accessible and fair, not debt-creating, particularly for low- and middle-income countries that produce oil, gas and minerals whose economies and fiscal health rely on these resources; and
• Transition finance should align with country-led strategies, not top-down donor approaches, and be accountable to the public. 

Pushing for Progress  

Press briefing: “No Just Transition Without Just Minerals” 

Together with Power Shift Africa, Global Witness and CAN International, NRGI held a press briefing to highlight the need for stronger governance of transition minerals and to call attention to the risks of neglecting this critical issue ahead of COP30. Speakers outlined concrete examples and clear recommendations to prevent repeating past harms.  

Speakers: Samira Ally (Power Shift Africa), Melissa Marengo (NRGI), Emily Stewart (Global Witness), Anabella Rosemberg (CAN International)  

Video commentary and updates 

Throughout the talks, NRGI shared real-time reflections on what was unfolding in Bonn and what it means for the road to COP30.  

• Transition Away from Fossil Fuels: We explained the stakes for low- and middle-income oil and gas producers and called for policy clarity and public finance for national oil companies.  
• Just Transition Work Programme and Minerals: We welcomed early references to minerals in JTWP sessions — a first in COP history — and worked to keep the issue on the agenda.  

›› The embedded video below is a playlist of four short commentaries, capturing key moments and insights from our team on the ground.

Outcomes and What’s Next  

On fossil fuels, the urgency of an orderly and fair transition is now widely recognized, but low- and middle-income countries still lack the signals and support they need to act confidently.  

While the talks fell short of including minerals in the formal JTWP text sent to COP30, they marked real progress. Several delegations, including Colombia, South Africa, Uganda and Tanzania, publicly pushed for their inclusion.  

NRGI will follow closely the Just Transition Work Programme’s fourth Dialogue —and other milestones on the road to COP30 — to continue elevating minerals on the COP agenda.