Discussion post: COP Outcomes
After reading about the COPs that have taken place so far, I think the outcomes differ. Sometimes a breakthrough would be obtained while in some cases, nothing would be addressed.
1. COP24 Katowice (2018)
The Paris Agreement rulebook was finalised, and loss and damage were recognised within global stocktake and reporting frameworks. However, no financial mechanism or major support commitments were agreed. Parties agreed on reporting mainstreaming and integrating L&D into implementation guidance, but no dedicated finance or compensation mechanism was created. This reflected a persistent gap between policy acknowledgement and actionable support for vulnerable nations.
Rating: 2 Dissatisfied
Reason: While progress on recognition is important absence of financing or support commitments meant little real world help was agreed.
2. COP25 Madrid (2019)
Loss and damage were a notable agenda item tied to the second review of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM), yet no new finance or dedicated facility emerged. Discussions leaned toward institutional guidance and technical review rather than resource commitments. Also developing nations pushed for enhanced finance and broader institutional support. The final texts reflected some requests like improved access to support and tweaks to the WIM structure. However, calls for new, predictable L&D finance were deferred, and the outcome again lacked material support deliverables.
Rating:2 Dissatisfied
Reason: A bit more political attention, but still no dedicated funding or support
3. COP26 Glasgow (2021)
For the first time, loss and damage was firmly placed on the COP agenda, but no finance facility was formed. Instead, negotiators agreed to a dialogue on future finance arrangements. Loss and damage reached a new level of political prominence compared with past COPs.
Rating: 3 Neutral
Reason: Notable visibility and procedural progress, but actual financial support outcomes were minimal.
4 COP27 Sharm el-Sheikh (2022)
Historic agreement to establish a Loss and Damage Fund to compensate vulnerable countries for climate impacts beyond adaptation capacity. This COP marked the first ever agreement on a dedicated loss and damage finance mechanism after decades of negotiation. Parties agreed to set up a transitional committee to operationalise the Fund by COP28, a genuine breakthrough.
Rating: 4 Satisfied
Reason: A real institutional milestone with promise, though its effectiveness hinged on future implementation.
5. COP28 Dubai (2023)
Operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund and broader funding arrangements were agreed, with pledges totalling several hundred million dollars upon adoption. COP28 delivered what COP27 had promised: formal activation of the Loss & Damage Fund with a host structure, board composition and initial contributions. This was widely hailed as a historic step toward material support for vulnerable countries.
Rating: 4 Satisfied
Reason: Tangible institutional progress and funding commitments, but still short of what many vulnerable nations argue is necessary.