The Fight is on! Negotiators Want Commitment of a Loss & Damage Fund
As the final stretch of negotiations for the twenty-seventh United Nations Conference of the Parties is ongoing in Egypt, there are growing concerns over the slow progress on loss and damage. Small Island Developing States, like Belize, want commitment to financing arrangements as these countries are most affected by extreme events such as hurricanes, sea level rise and warmer global temperatures. Last week, SIDS and the Alliance of Small Island States, better known as AOSIS, were able to successfully get loss and damage added to the agenda and since then, the negotiation has been to get developed countries to agree to the establishment of a financing facility – with its mechanisms to be determined within a year or two. Earlier today, News Five’s Duane Moody, who is on the ground in Egypt, was able to speak with Chief Climate Change Officer Doctor Lennox Gladden about the prickly loss and damage negotiation
Lennox Gladden
Dr. Lennox Gladden, Chief Climate Change Officer
“We came in with our red lines, our national priorities, looking as it relates to loss and damage. Nothing in particular as it relates to the establishment of a fund because that is heavy in the session right now. Actually, we foresee that it will go up to Saturday or even Sunday night. All indications at this point, it will be extended for that singular agenda item. We had some internal discussions and positions as it relates to technology. Also, for us, we are hoping that agriculture – again something that was being pushed by the COP presidency, Egypt for that to be agreed upon. So, some of these key priorities, article six for Belize it is important, however, that is still under heavy deliberation. They just released some new information as it relates to options for loss and damage and the establishment of the fund. What I think is key, what is important coming out of this COP at least to make mention that a fund should be established. We are not asking for the fund to be established and operationalized at this COP. We have to be realistic as it relates to the process. So this would be a major milestone just to say under the decision that listen, we understand the importance of this facility, let it be established. So, that in itself would be a feat.”
CARICOM together with the larger group of AOSIS countries along with the Group of 77 countries and China will have to maintain a united front in order to get the commitment on loss and damage.
