Loss and damage

For years, countries in the Global South have urged for compensation for loss and damage caused by climate change.

In 2009, wealthier nations and historic greenhouse gas emitters like the US and some EU member states promised to pay USD $100 billion per year for adaptation and mitigation. However, these nations haven't come close to reaching this figure.

At COP27 this year, the so-called African COP and implementation COP, the spotlight is shed once again on the failed pledges of the Global North.  

In the period between COP26 in Scotland and COP27 in Egypt, the world experienced multiple new COVID variants that trapped many at home and placed them in vulnerable situations; the devastation brought by hurricane Ian in Florida; severe heatwaves in many parts of the world and historic floods in Pakistan.

Learn more about how climate colonialism affects the Global South

All of these phenomena are expected to become more deadly and more frequent due to human-caused climate change. A UN report projects that the number of similar disasters will reach 560 each year - or 1.5 per day - by 2030.  

However, such extreme weather events don’t affect people equally: The Global South is often hit the hardest, despite emitting a small share of greenhouse gases - currently and historically.

Many nations in Asia-Pacific, Africa, South America and small islands are particularly susceptible to climate disasters. The inequality is an increasingly evident theme at COP27, in which countries and non-state actors are deliberating about climate finance and climate actions, amid the incessant urges of walking the walk without backsliding.  

Watch the remarkable speech by Elizabeth Wathuti at #COP26: "Please open your hearts"

Women and children should be at the center of climate decision making, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said at the opening of COP27. Indigenous people have also raised their voices at the conference.

The Global South is clear: climate justice must be served, and climate actions must be taken.  

Image by Dan Gold.