Loss and Damage in Informal Urban Settlements Resumé and Handout for Misereor Partner Organisations

Current action to adjust to climate change impacts (adaptation) and limit further emissions (mitigation) is not enough to tackle the speed and scale of climate impacts. As a result, losses and damages from disaster events are a reality for which one must be prepared. They can be described as “the adverse effects of climate change that are not or cannot be avoided by mitigation and adaptation efforts” (van der Geest and Warner 2020).

Consequently, a key issue at UN climate negotiations is how to support countries and affected places to cope with these losses and damages. The term “loss and damage” was used for the first time in 2007 at UNFCCC negotiations and has been debated ever since. In 2015, an article on loss and damage was included in the Paris Agreement (Article 8). However, no mention was made of the financial resources required in this context.

At COP26, the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD) was introduced with the aim of providing technical assistance to developing countries to support them in dealing with loss and damage. One year later, at COP27, loss and damage funding arrangements were on the formal agenda for the first time, and a Loss and Damage Fund was established. At COP28, further details about the fund were agreed upon, and countries pledged to fill it with almost $700 million. The World Bank was selected as its first host organisation, while the SNLD is hosted by the UN Office of Disaster Risk Reduction and UN Office for Project Services.

Source:

https://my.hidrive.com/share/eux–j7z9c#$/3_Handout%20for%20CSO