Over the years, climate change has caused an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. It has also been bringing about gradual changes in landscapes and ecosystems such as desertification, drought, and sea level rise that are detrimental, and in some cases existential threats, to certain countries. With time, there has been growing momentum and louder calls, particularly by developing countries, to establish a fund which helps countries suffering from the negative effects of climate change to recover when adaptation and mitigation fail. This idea, however, was not well-received by developed countries, as the onus would naturally fall on them to provide financing. As climate awareness and public pressure increased, and as the negative effects of climate change became more present, developed countries ultimately relented. The decision to establish a ‘loss and damage’ fund was therefore the major highlight of COP27, the United Nations’ prime annual climate conference, in Sharm El-Sheikh. The transitional committee handling the daunting task of making recommendations for the fund’s operation had already met once in Luxor in late March, and will meet again tomorrow, 25 May, for two days in Bonn, Germany….
Making Nations Pay for Climate Change: 6 Questions on the Loss and Damage Fund
May 24, 2023
