Loss and Damage
Definition
"Loss and damage normally refers to the destructive impacts of climate change that cannot be or have not been avoided by what is known as ‘mitigation’ (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) or ‘adaptation’ (adjusting to and building resilience against current and future climate change impacts)."
Source: Chatham House
Explainer
The issue of loss and damage was first brought to world attention in 1991 by Vanuatu on behalf of small island developing states and least developed countries. Since then, it has evolved as a climate justice issue central to negotiations between vulnerable countries and countries that contribute most to climate change.
In 2022, loss and damage issues made it to the UN Climate Change Conference COP27's agenda for the first time. The result was the establishment of a loss and damage fund for countries at risk and vulnerable to climate change impacts.
There are 3 dimensions to loss and damage.
- Past or historic loss and damage - what has already happened and, in some cases, may be irreversible, e.g., loss of life or property.
- Current loss and damage - what people are now experiencing, e.g., loss of livelihoods.
- Potential (future) loss and damage - what may arise from continued impacts of the climate crisis.