Dr Simon Manda convenes a Symposium: ‘At What Point Managed Loss and Damage in the Global South? Climate Governance, Risks and Adaptation.’
On 20th September 2023, co-Director for the Centre for Global Development Dr Simon Manda convened a symposium focused on Managed Loss and Damage in the Global South with a focus on Climate Governance, Risks and Adaptation. He was joined by Co-Director Dr Geoff Goodwin and the CGD Ambassador Rachel Parker.
The symposium was built on a very generative Centre for Global development (CGD) roundtable discussion on COP27 in December 2022, and aimed to bring together different expert stakeholders to help to gain a common understanding of these complex issues – moving the needle toward expectations and response pathways for the Global South. The primary emphasis was at what point will the loss and damage fund make genuine sense for vulnerable countries. Is this a success for many vulnerable people in the Global South? How and in what ways will the fund be deployed? What mechanisms are needed to ensure the fund is used to reduce inequalities and build resilience? The science around loss and damage is still ill-defined, and policy discussions remain contentious. Since its first proposal over three decades ago, the finance for loss and damage has been a red line for many developed countries. In fact, at COP26 in Glasgow, the Global North opposed the G77+China’s call for a dedicated finance facility for Loss and Damage. Whereas COP27 frequently emerges as a success, reflections on the possible realities and implications for vulnerable countries and communities supposed to be adapting remains less explored and an interesting area of emerging research.
The meeting recognized that there are many efforts to understand the L&D under differing climate risks. The group of scholars and practitioners was particularly drawn to advance a focused conversation around the application and limits of the L&D. Our meeting goals were as follows:
- Build a network of interdisciplinary researchers within and outside the University of Leeds working on climate governance, risks and adaptation.
- Advance the research agenda around climate adaptation including the loss and damage fund in an interdisciplinary way.
- Facilitate networking and discussion among diverse of stakeholders.
- Advance a theorisation around climate adaptation and the loss and damage fund.
Participants came from different countries, including the US, UK, Malawi, Republic of Northern Ireland, Solomon Islands, Zambia. We are currently preparing a paper based on the symposium for the CGD working paper series. We will also produce a Proceedings Report will offer new and old pointers for development research outside of the climate aid-development nexus. Visit this site for the finalised Papers.