Earth today | Small island states call for more climate money | Health

The ALLIANCE of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), including Jamaica, is pushing to put financing for loss and damage on the agenda of the upcoming global climate talks, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen preparedness for climate impacts.

“Jamaica was counted among the Small Island Developing States calling for higher levels of climate finance specific to addressing loss and damage. The current climate finance architecture does not consider key areas related to finance to address loss and damage (e.g. displacement, loss of culture, etc.). The requested Loss and Damage Facility is to fill this gap,” explained Le-Anne Roper, Technical Officer Responsible for Adaptation at Jamaica’s Climate Change Division (CCD) and Loss and Damage Coordinator for the ‘AOSIS.

Roper’s explanation follows an AOSIS post arguing for the need for his inclusion.

“The operationalization of a loss and damage financing mechanism is a pressing issue for SIDS that are struggling with servicing loans to recover from extreme weather disasters and slow-onset impacts, at the expense of sustainable development. AOSIS is leading the charge to ensure that loss and damage financing is adopted as an official agenda item for the COP27 climate negotiations,” the August 11 statement read.

To bolster their efforts, AOSIS – which has represented the interests of Jamaica and 38 other SIDS and low-lying developing coastal states in negotiations on climate change and sustainable development since 1990 – held earlier this month- held regional virtual workshops for SIDS climate negotiators to begin drafting a Loss and Damage Financing Mechanism framework.

However, the jury is still out on whether they will succeed in their endeavors.

“The negotiations are very dynamic, so it is difficult to predict whether we will be successful in our appeal. However, early indications from some developed countries suggest that such a facility could be viewed favorably,” Roper said. the gleaner.

GLASGOW DIALOGUE

The CCD official added that the compromise that emerged from last year’s climate talks held in Glasgow, Scotland (26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [COP26]) – while there was no consensus for a loss and damage financing mechanism, it was for the establishment of a Glasgow Dialogue.

“It was to be held annually during the first sessional period of the subsidiary bodies (SBs), starting with SB 56 held in June 2022 and ending in 2024. During the June dialogues, there was general consensus on the fact that gaps remain in the financial landscape with respect to loss and damage,” she said.

“However, opinions on the need for a Loss and Damage Financing Facility were divergent. Added to this was a call from developing countries (Group of 77 and China) for an agenda item of the COP27 on Modalities for Financing Loss and Damage This proposal has so far met with objection from many developed countries It remains to be seen whether this will gain traction or cause delays in the start of the session of the COP,” added Roper.

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