Preface by the Co-chairs of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage
This technical guide represents a critical step in supporting countries to address displacement linked to climate change, building on years of work under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.
Established in 2013, its Executive Committee (WIM ExCom) guides the implementation of the Mechanism’s functions: enhancing knowledge, coordination, action and support to address loss and damage associated with climate change impacts – including slow onset processes and extreme weather events – in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable.
Since its inception, the WIM ExCom has catalyzed the development of approaches, scalable solutions, and good practices to manage climate impacts that result in loss and damage to people, societies, and the ecosystems they depend on. It has also promoted innovative tools and shared lessons to deepen understanding of the interlinkages, temporal dimensions, and compound nature of climate risks and policy options. Human mobility – particularly displacement – linked to climate impacts is an area where technical guidance is increasingly needed. In this context, COP 21 established the Task Force on Displacement and entrusted the WIM ExCom with its operationalization.
To help close implementation gaps, the Task Force on Displacement prepared this technical guide to assist countries in accessing financial resources for averting, minimizing, and addressing displacement linked to climate impacts. It complements the first human mobility-focused technical guide published by the WIM ExCom, which outlines steps to integrate human mobility considerations into national climate planning and National Adaptation Plans.
As the landscape of loss and damage action and support continues to evolve, the WIM ExCom remains committed to providing policy guidance, identifying technical needs, and amplifying good practices –turning fragmented information into actionable insights. On behalf of the WIM ExCom, we hope this guide empowers countries and relevant actors to deliver solutions for those on the frontlines of climate change.
