Publications

WHAT DO WE HAVE
TO LOSE? UNDERSTANDING
AND RESPONDING
TO CLIMATE-INDUCED
LOSS AND DAMAGE
TO CULTURAL HERITAGE


BY SHANDELLE STEADMAN, ARCHIE GILMOUR, SARAH COLENBRANDER AND CHARLENE WATSON
31 / 12 / 2022
Image credit: ODI

Ecological systems are fundamental to the continuity of society. Yet, in the aftermath of climate-related events, decision-making structures consistently fail to consider losses like these; losses that fall into the category of Non-Economic Loss and Damage (NELD). By failing to consider and mitigate against the non- economic losses arising from climate change, we risk triggering a collapse in ecosystems that would have far-reaching effects on human health, dignity, and productivity. The lack of metrics to assign financial value to such factors makes it difficult to consider the cost of measures to prevent and respond to loss and damage. This paper asks how these challenges manifest in loss and damage relating to biodiversity. and ecosystems, examining the impact for human life and options for quantifying and addressing loss and damage to earth’s natural systems. Reviewing the value of biodiversity and ecosystem services, we consider how to avert and minimise loss as well as address unavoidable loss and damage to biodiversity and ecosystems.

Read the full paper here: