Climate change is already causing deep trauma in the lives and families of millions of people around the world and affecting their sense of dignity. We have failed, so far, to prevent and respond adequately to this growing tragedy. Not only have societies historically responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions causing the changes in our climate not managed to curb these emissions, but also they have left vulnerable individuals to bear alone the consequences of an economic model in which they hardly partake. The operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) following COP28 therefore gives hope for a renewed sense of justice and solidarity.
During its first meeting in April, the Board of the LDF discussed operationalisation and administrative matters of the Fund as hosted by the World Bank in the interim. It is expected that the upcoming third Glasgow Dialogue will lay down more concrete proposals as to how the Fund will be filled, and how it will be accessed by communities and countries that need it most. As a confederation of 162 national member organisations at the side of people in a state of poverty and marginalisation around the world – many of which are affected by climate change – Caritas Internationalis is eager to share its experience in dealing with losses and damages and contribute to this process.
