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.
A temporary shelter used by a household served by CARD—A CJRF loss and damage grantee. Photo credit: CARD
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. An example is in Fiji, developing a community communication network for information about weather alerts, evacuation routes, safe locations, and other guidance to help families rapidly respond to severe weather events.
Flotila of canoes greeting visitors in Kioa Island, Fiji. Photo Credit: UUSC
Africa: In Malawi, Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) is working with traditional authorities on interventions identified through a participatory assessment. Their work involves reconstructing homes with resilient materials and a pass-on livestock program that includes veterinary services and livestock insurance (for which village savings programs will contribute to premiums).
Asia: In Bangladesh, Helvetas Bangladesh is supporting families to make more informed and economically successful decisions about migration, for instance, through skill development, as well as re-building infrastructure and livelihoods damaged by climate disasters. Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) is providing for the basic needs of families who have already been displaced, supporting their transition to alternative livelihoods, and building their awareness and capacity to advocate for their rights. Community Teams, comprised of previously displaced community members, play a critical role in identifying those in need of support first.
A family relocated through YPSA’s efforts. Photo credit: YPSA
Global: The Loss and Damage Youth Coalition (LDYC), with support from CJRF, has constituted a L&D Grantmaking Council of 11 youth from around the world. These youth have decided to make 10 grants of $10,000 each and one grant of $50,000 to support young people to design and implement L&D initiatives in their communities. The grants will fall within five themes of addressing L&D, also determined by the Council: recovery and rehabilitation, relocation and resettlement, non-economic loss and damage, economic loss and damage, education, and storytelling.
These examples showcase the range of technical interventions that address L&D. Other examples include cash transfers and social protection schemes. L&D can often look very similar to humanitarian assistance, development aid, and adaptation efforts. On the other end of the spectrum, addressing invaluable non-economic loss and damage can look like apologies, active remembrance, and mental health support.
L&D is a Climate Justice Effort
Thousands of people are working hard to address L&D; these movements are pushing for the finance to build on the momentum of the teenage L&D efforts and rapidly cascade them into a mature, fiscally strong adult. Countries willing to make financial commitments for L&D while a financing facility emerges at the UNFCCC level can join the first movers of Scotland, Wallonia, Denmark, and several philanthropies to show commitment to climate justice and solidarity with those on the brink of survival.
To learn more about loss and damage read our “What Is Loss and Damage” blog. To read more in-depth stories from our partners, read our three-part series on loss and damage.