By Ayesha Dinshaw, Loss and Damage Program Officer
The issue of climate-induced loss and damage (L&D) is a teenager now—tired of being relegated to the kids’ table and wanting to grow up faster.
Although it’s been a budding idea for decades, it became a reality in the lead-up to the Paris Agreement. Now it is experiencing a growth spurt and is pushing against the status quo, demanding to be heard and respected.
In short, L&D will no longer let governments push it to the margins of climate action; it is coming into its power as a movement—far beyond proof of concept. At a recent conference hosted by the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, hundreds of people gathered to discuss concrete activities underway and next steps for addressing L&D. This builds on the Scottish Government’s previous, historic commitment to be the first wealthy nation to provide finance to address L&D at COP26, at which they announced £1 million to CJRF for grants to address these challenges.
CJRF Supports L&D Efforts Around the Globe
Over the past year, CJRF has made grants that showcase the range of ways organizations are addressing L&D, and all have local actors at their heart. The rapidity with which CJRF has disbursed these grants, and the focus on devolving power to local actors, together highlight key dimensions of L&D funding that a future L&D finance facility will need to address. While the specifics of a L&D finance facility are hashed out, grants such as CJRF’s offer a route for L&D funding to move rapidly to communities suffering climate injustice, and also provide examples of how the future facility could support local participation in and leadership of L&D work.
Across the Pacific: CJRF supports UUSC to work with local partners who are implementing interventions that they and their communities have underscored as necessary to address L&D.
Africa: In Malawi, Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) is working with traditional authorities on interventions identified through a participatory assessment.
Asia: In Bangladesh, Helvetas Bangladesh is supporting families to make more informed decisions about migration, while Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) supports displaced families and builds advocacy capacity.
Global: The Loss and Damage Youth Coalition (LDYC) has established a grantmaking council supporting youth-led initiatives worldwide.
These examples showcase the range of technical interventions that address L&D, from infrastructure and livelihoods to non-economic responses such as remembrance and mental health support.
L&D is a Climate Justice Effort
Thousands of people are working to address L&D; countries willing to make financial commitments can join early movers like Scotland, Wallonia, and Denmark.
To learn more about loss and damage read our “What Is Loss and Damage” blog. To read more stories, explore our three-part series.
