How can the consequences of climate change be financed in poorer countries, which have often contributed less to the damage? That should now be clarified at the COP27.
The long dispute over the financing of climate-related damage and losses in poorer countries is part of the official agenda at a world climate conference for the first time. The participants from almost 200 countries agreed on this at the start of the so-called COP27 on Sunday in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. Developing countries, which are particularly vulnerable to climate damage, have long fought for formal negotiations on the issue. The COP presidency spoke of a “historic step”.
The term “loss and damage” is used to discuss how the consequences of climate change can be shouldered together in poorer countries, which have often contributed less to the damage. There is no exact definition. However, it is usually understood to mean damage from extreme weather events and slow changes, such as rising sea levels or devastation. It is about consequences beyond what people can adapt to, or about situations where the means to adapt are lacking.
The inclusion on the agenda demonstrates progress, said COP President Samih Schukri. “It’s a difficult subject, it’s been floating around for more than 30 years.”
The special representative for international climate policy at the Federal Foreign Office, Jennifer Morgan, spoke of an “important step” at the start. It shows the willingness of states to “work together to tackle the climate crisis”.
The fight really starts with the item on the agenda, said Yeb Saño, who heads the delegation of the environmental organization Greenpeace at the conference. Rich countries would have tried to remove this item from the COP27 agenda. This is a foretaste of further delay and diversionary maneuvers.
The World Resource Institute (WRI) spoke of an “essential prerequisite” for the most momentous negotiation topic. Vulnerable states have been “relentlessly” asking for help, said WRI President Ani Dasgupta, adding: “We still have a marathon to go before countries take a formal decision on this key issue for CO27.”