
Amid the escalating climate emergency, policy makers from nearly 200 countries will gather in Madrid, Spain, next week for another annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25). The Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance urges policy makers to deliver a strong outcome that is aligned with the needs of the most vulnerable and those already facing climate induced Loss and Damage.
The global failure to prevent climate change is forcing people and communities across the world, particularly in vulnerable contexts, to deal with the consequences. These are exceeding communities’ capacity to adapt and resulting in unavoidable impacts referred to as Loss and Damage.
Communities around the world are losing land and shelter due to increased floods and landslides, they are facing displacement as sea levels are rising and glaciers are melting. Permanent loss of statehood, ecosystems and cultural heritage is becoming a reality for many. The latest report from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that even with major adaptation efforts, residual risks and associated losses are going to occur. This is a deep injustice to the poor and vulnerable people who have done nothing to cause this crisis.
In 2013, COP 19 established the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) to address loss and damage associated with climate change. WIM has three functions:
Over the years, the WIM has accomplished some progress on raising awareness on the issue of loss and damage including through its task force on displacement. However, it has failed to mobilise the investment and support that developing countries need.
Additionally, the current focus on post event disaster response needs to shift towards prospective risk reduction without which the demands on loss and damage finance will further escalate.
Even if COP25 results in action to prevent further dangerous climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the recommended 1.5°C, the scientific evidence shows that loss and damage will continue to occur. Hence governments must agree on mechanisms and processes to provide adequate support for vulnerable countries and communities to address this.
Based on our cross-sectoral experience in flood resilience and implementation of climate resilient community programmes the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance calls for the review of WIM taking place at COP25 to aim for the following outcomes, as outlined in our submission:
In summary, COP25 must conduct a forward looking review of WIM and decide on establishing the mechanisms and processes outlined above to mobilise enhanced support for developing countries and vulnerable communities to tackle loss and damage.
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