The announcement of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt is an important move for Pakistan, similar to its formal approval at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates last year. It was a diplomatic victory. Over the past two years, loss and damage (L&D), which refers to the irreversible costs of climate change that exceed the adaptive capacity of ecosystems, has emerged as a central focus of L&D finance, even though it is not yet operational. I did. Unfortunately, the allocated funds remain woefully inadequate, amounting to approximately $700 million by 2030 against the estimated need of $290-580 billion.
To harness the full potential of L&D, a country like Pakistan needs to understand the two fundamental mechanisms that precede the LDF: the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) and the Santiago Network. Together, these three mechanisms form the core architecture that enables developing countries to respond to loss and damage. WIM and Santiago Network are not funding organizations. WIM is a coordination platform that provides technical support and guidance on approaches to addressing L&D. The Santiago Network, on the other hand, is an L&D capacity-building initiative. The interconnectedness of the two countries and their respective missions will be extremely important in the discussions at COP29, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Established in 2013, WIM provides a comprehensive framework within which both the Santiago Network and the Indemnity Fund were developed. Mandated as a conceptual umbrella, this organization focuses on five key L&D initiatives: i) slow-onset climate change, ii) non-economic losses, iii) comprehensive risk management, iv) evacuation, and v) action and support. He has led technical research across fields. These studies have facilitated the development of several methodologies and guidelines that enable testing and piloting of community-driven projects in diverse ecosystems.
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These studies help distinguish between L&D and adaptation, demonstrate how the latest climate science can inform policy-making related to avoiding, minimizing, and addressing L&D, and improve technology in participating countries. We have strengthened our physical abilities. This body of literature has also triggered a process of distinguishing between L&D and adaptation in order to facilitate distinct financial flows under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s weak technological capacity and lack of coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which represents Pakistan on the WIM Executive Committee, and the Ministry of Climate Change (MOCC), which represents Pakistan on the Santiago Network, impeding effective engagement. As a result, our country’s climate policy and other sectoral policies, including nationally determined contributions and national adaptation plans, are not influenced by these five key areas of L&D activity. Pakistan’s absence from the technical group is a missed opportunity to build national capacity.
The Santiago Network, established under WIM in 2019, is an important initiative aimed at providing technical assistance to particularly vulnerable countries like Pakistan. Its mission is to facilitate technical assistance and connect countries with relevant organizations, networks and experts. Since the start of operations in 2022, we are currently aiming to expand our activities.
Despite its limitations, including limited personnel and funding, the network has the potential to support vulnerable countries in their efforts to address the negative impacts of climate change through targeted technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. remains important. The network’s efforts will take on added importance in helping countries develop their capacity to effectively access and utilize financial support from the LDF. This expands the role of the network beyond mere technical assistance. The WIM review has been controversial since COP24, with ongoing debate over COP/CMA governance. This lack of consensus has stalled meaningful progress on the long-term vision for WIM.
The climate summit COP28 held in Dubai last year marked a critical juncture for these climate finance mechanisms. Regarding the Santiago Network, discussions were also held on how to integrate it more closely with the LDF to ensure seamless support from technical to financial support. Pakistan was successful in securing seats in the governing bodies of both the LDF and the Santiago Network, represented by the author in the LDF and by the Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change in the Santiago Network. Frequent postings and transfers of officers in the MOCC further impede Pakistan’s participation in the Santiago network.
While the WIM serves as an overarching framework, the Santiago Network focuses on technical assistance and the LDF represents the financial backbone needed to implement strong climate action. This tripartite structure reflects a holistic approach to tackling climate vulnerability. The existence of these three mechanisms promotes policy coherence at national and international levels, allowing countries to coordinate their climate strategies and leverage support across all three sectors. As these mechanisms evolve and mature, they have the potential to bridge the gap between those most affected by climate change and the resources they desperately need.
At COP29 in Baku, we expect the interaction between these three mechanisms to come to the fore again. Key discussions are likely to include establishing clear criteria for receiving support and ensuring transparency in the decision-making process. A strong call for further integration between the three mechanisms, with a focus on strengthening WIM’s ability to provide strategic guidance to the other two, ensure coherence, and maximize collective impact. Promotion may take place. This could include creating a streamlined process for countries to access technical support through the Santiago network, alongside financial support from the LDF. Developing robust methodologies to measure the impact of interventions supported by these mechanisms in areas such as non-economic loss and damage (NELD) will demonstrate their value and ensure continued support. essential for.
Furthermore, expanding the network of partners involved in the Santiago Network and diversifying LDF’s funding sources are also likely to be on the agenda. There may be increased attention to how these mechanisms can address non-economic losses and damages, such as loss of culture and biodiversity. Another important aspect is to ensure that LD finance is integrated into the new collective quantitative goals (NCQG). However, developed countries have so far resisted including specific L&D financing targets in the NCQG framework.
As climate impacts intensify, the international community’s ability to operationalize and harmonize these mechanisms will be critical. Discussions at COP29 in Baku will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of climate finance for L&D. The effectiveness of these mechanisms in providing timely, efficient and comprehensive support to those on the front lines of climate change will serve as a litmus test for global solidarity.
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