Bangladesh:
YouthNet for Climate Justice, a prominent youth-led climate advocacy organization, stands resolute in its call for a just and equitable Loss and Damage Fund. Presenting seven critical demands, the organization underscores the imperative of a human rights-based approach and active engagement of affected communities in addressing the profound impact of climate change on loss and damage.
The final meeting of the committee responsible for shaping the new fund to aid developing countries in addressing “loss & damage” resulting from climate impacts is scheduled for the 17th to the 20th of October in Aswan, Egypt.
Noteworthy disagreements have surfaced among representatives of developed and developing nations. While the US and EU propose housing the fund within the World Bank, representatives of developing nations argue that this could impede direct access to funding, compelling them to navigate intermediaries. Negotiations have faced hurdles, notably from representatives of developed nations advocating for narrow eligibility criteria, limiting access to the fund for certain categories of countries.
The Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) was launched during the previous Cop27. The Transitional Committee (TC) is expected to present key recommendations determining the fund’s scope, governance, and function at the upcoming Cop28 UN Climate Summit in Dubai this December.
First and foremost, YouthNet emphasizes that the Loss and Damage Fund must firmly uphold human rights, ensuring an inclusive and just approach to combat climate challenges. The organization vehemently opposes the World Bank’s involvement, aiming to maintain the fund’s impartiality and prevent potential biases.
YouthNet’s demands stress the importance of involving and representing the people it serves in the fund’s design, making affected communities central to decision-making processes. The organization opposes any financial mechanisms that could burden affected countries with additional debt due to loss and damage.
YouthNet advocates for reaching the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, leaving no one behind in the endeavor to address loss and damage. The organization views accessible and fair remedies within the fund as a fundamental human right, underscoring the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate and prevent further loss and damage to our planet.
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet for Climate Justice, underscores the pivotal role of the loss and damage fund in addressing the severe impacts of the climate crisis on vulnerable communities and countries. Rahman states, “It is time for them to pay up for loss and damage.”
He further asserts, “The Transitional Committee must enable grassroots organizations easy access to the #LossAndDamage Fund. To achieve #ClimateJustice, we must empower communities to address their own losses and drive solutions.”
Shakila Islam, National Coordinator of YouthNet, underscores the urgency to empower communities to address their losses and drive solutions. “The loss and damage fund must release funds within 24-48 hours of a climate disaster,” adds Shakila.
Prof. Saleemul Huq, Director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, aligns with YouthNet’s call, urging for the fund’s operationalization by COP28 to ensure timely support.
YouthNet for Climate Justice calls for urgent and concrete action from the Transitional Committee, countries, and corporations to establish and fund the loss and damage fund at COP28. The organization urges a people-centered, human rights-based approach with meaningful participation from civil society and impacted communities at every stage of the process.
(Climate Journalist)
