Loss and Damage Is Back on the Agenda at COP26

Loss and Damage Is Back on the Agenda at COP26
Photo: A family crosses the flooded streets of Pakistan. Asian Development Bank.

Sina Heckenberger

Environment and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence.

In 2015, the loss and damage principle was introduced in Article 8 of the Paris Agreement. After several years of being sidelined, the issue has taken center stage on the agenda of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow this year.

Loss and damage refers to climate change intensified disasters which  lead to  loss of life, livelihoods, culture and biodiversity. In short, these impacts occur when climate mitigation and adaptation are insufficient. Loss and damage is mainly caused by high polluting countries but primarily experienced by more vulnerable nations. Therefore, polluters have to compensate vulnerable countries. 

Until COP26, loss and damage was widely disregarded and little financial support has reached vulnerable nations because it has been either blocked, denied or deemed too expensive. This financial support, however, is crucial for climate adaptation, climate justice and the protection of human rights. 

Sources and further reading:

Lo, J. & Farand, C. (2021, November 3). Scotland breaks loss and damage “taboo”, raising hopes others will follow. Climate Home News.