Progress and Gaps in Loss and Damage Outcomes (Last Five COPs)
Over the last five COPs, “loss and damage” has shifted from a politically sensitive issue to a central pillar of climate justice discussions. Below is a brief synthesis of key developments:
COP25 (Madrid, 2019) – The Santiago Network on Loss and Damage was established to provide technical assistance to vulnerable countries. However, no dedicated funding mechanism was agreed upon, which led to frustration among developing nations.
COP26 (Glasgow, 2021) – The Glasgow Dialogue on loss and damage finance was launched to continue discussions on funding arrangements. While loss and damage gained stronger recognition, concrete financial commitments were still missing.
COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 2022) – A historic breakthrough occurred with the agreement to establish a Loss and Damage Fund. This marked the first formal recognition of the need for dedicated financial support for vulnerable countries experiencing climate impacts.
COP28 (Dubai, 2023) – The Loss and Damage Fund was operationalized, and initial pledges were announced. However, the pledged amounts were far below estimated needs, raising concerns about adequacy and long-term sustainability.
COP29 (2024) – Discussions continued around governance, access modalities, and scaling up financial commitments, but debates persisted regarding who should contribute and how funds should be allocated.