Scaling practical solutions for tackling loss and damage in LDCs and SIDS

Loss and damage is one of the most important issues for climate-vulnerable developing countries that are facing new types and forms of climate impact with higher intensity and frequency, which they are not equipped to handle.

These impacts are most acute in least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where vulnerability is high, and where the people have done least to contribute to the problem.

Tackling loss and damage is not straightforward and there isn’t one solution that fits all. The causes and impacts of loss and damage are highly varied, from sudden climate shocks to long range slow-onset events, and result in economic and non-economic impacts, such as loss of cultural heritage, language or identity.

Also, a country’s vulnerability depends on its existing infrastructure, socio-economic development, and manifests itself differently for different people.

Support and finance to address loss and damage must therefore be grounded in the everyday realities of loss and damage and tailored to the vulnerabilities of different people and places. It requires a comprehensive approach that is anticipatory and agile, as well as responsive to immediate, medium and long-term needs.

In this event, IIED, in partnership with ICCCAD, Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP) and the British Red Cross, aimed to bring together LDCs, SIDS and other actors from vulnerable developing countries. We jointly explored three critical questions and generated a shared understanding on what is needed to tackle loss and damage and created support behind these actions:

• What works and in which contexts?
• How can such action and support be delivered?
• How it can be financed?

This event will featured a round of case studies of practical solutions to loss and damage, with reflections from a panel; followed by a discussion about financing these practical solutions.

This event was part of London Climate Action Week 2023.