Side event of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage Executive Committee at the 56th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies

Summary of the Event

The IPCC's 6th Assessment Report (2022) is clear that losses and damages associated with the adverse effects of climate change are already a reality. Efforts to avert and minimize loss and damage are ongoing, but our collective efforts to date are insufficient to avoid all negative impacts, making some losses and damages inevitable: "The impacts of climate change and extreme weather events have adversely affected, or caused the loss of ecosystems including terrestrial, freshwater, ocean and coastal ecosystems, including tropical coral reefs; reduced food security; contributed to migration and displacement; damaged livelihoods, health and security of people; and increased inequality," in addition to infrastructure damages and losses on development gains (IPCC, 2022).

In line with the best available science, climate change policies and practices should also account for addressing loss and damage alongside mitigation and adaptation. The COP acknowledged that loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change includes, and in some cases involves more than, that which can be reduced by adaptation (Decision 2/CP.19, preamble). 

COP 25 established, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, the Santiago Network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts for the implementation of relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change (Decision 2/CMA.2, paragraph 43). COP 26 agreed on the functions and further operationalization of the Santiago Network and, at the same time, established the Glasgow Dialogue to discuss possible arrangements for the funding of activities for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

Objectives

The objective of this event is to showcase various types of losses and damages, especially those related to slow-onset events and processes, and associated policy instruments, action and support available to manage them. The event aims to link existing science, policy and effective practices, including efforts by countries, IPCC, and work under the WIM, particularly by its Expert Groups, Task Force and Technical Expert Group. In doing so, the event will exemplify possible losses and damages in human mobility and livelihoods, including those that are non-economic, such as cultural heritage.

More information on the event is available on UNFCCC website.