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The 20th meeting of the Executive Committee (ExCom) of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM) took place from the 12-15th of March in Bonn, Germany, at the Wissenschaftszentrum Bonn. This short blog provides an overview of what our expectations were, whether they were met, and what else we learnt from WIM ExCom 20.
The WIM was established in 2013 at the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP19) in Warsaw, Poland, to address Loss and Damage associated with the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events and slow onset events, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The WIM’s mandate includes:
1. Enhancing knowledge and understanding of comprehensive risk management approaches.
2. Strengthening dialogue, coordination, coherence, and synergies among relevant stakeholders; and;
3. Enhancing action and support, including finance, technology, and capacity building.
Both the ExCom of the WIM and the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage are part of the WIM, whilst the Loss and Damage Fund and Funding Arrangements should be guided by, and coordinate with, the work of the WIM.
In 2024, the third review of the WIM will be finalised at COP29. The review is an opportunity to stitch together the rapidly evolving architecture of Loss and Damage governance under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which now includes the Loss and Damage Fund and Funding Arrangements, the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage, and the WIM ExCom.
To ensure this happens, each body will need to discuss its work in the context of the other bodies. Each one has mandates to deliver in tight timeframes to ensure the rapid delivery of support for Loss and Damage, and avoiding duplication and ensuring complementarity is key.
In light of the review of the WIM, the 4-day meeting had a packed agenda which included discussions on:
• Guidance from CMA 5/COP28 arising from the 2023 report of the ExCom and the outcome of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement;
• Collaboration with the Advisory Board of the Santiago Network and engagement in the work under the Santiago Network;
• How the latest climate science can inform policy-making relevant to averting, minimizing, and addressing Loss and Damage; and;
• Work related to strategic workstreams on slow onset events, non-economic losses, comprehensive risk management approaches, human mobility, and action and support.
Going into WIM ExCom 20 we expected the following:
• We expected to see the selection of the new co-chairs so that the ExCom could get to work.
• We expected to see the ExCom consider the COP28 review of the 2023 ExCom report, including their request to consider ways to collaborate with the Loss and Damage Fund and how to engage actively in work under the Santiago Network and collaborate with its Advisory Board.
• We wanted consideration on how the ExCom can promote the use of the technical guides and knowledge products developed by the ExCom at the regional and national level, including for undertaking activities under the Santiago Network.
• We wanted the ExCom to consider the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement (GST), including the requests to prepare voluntary guidelines for enhancing the collection and management of data and information to inform the preparation of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR).
• And lastly, we wanted the ExCom to request the UNFCCC secretariat to prepare —on a regular basis— a synthesis report for consideration by the ExCom containing information on Loss and Damage provided by Parties in their BTR and other national reports under the Paris Agreement.
What happened at WIM ExCom 20 and were our expectations met? The decision points adopted by the ExCom during its 20th meeting can be found here, read on for our verdict on whether our expectations we met.
Selection of New Co-Chairs: Our expectations were fully met. Sierra Woodruff from the US for Annex 1 Parties and Camila Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic for non-Annex 1 Parties were elected as the new co-chairs of the WIM ExCom without objections.
Consideration of the COP28 Review of the 2023 ExCom Report: Our expectations were partially met. The ExCom reviewed guidance from CMA 5/COP 28 arising from the 2023 report of ExCom and the outcome of the first GST. The UNFCCC secretariat prepared a background paper that included relevant decisions and guidance which were discussed. These discussions included strengthening coherence with the Loss and Damage Fund and Santiago Network, promoting technical guides, and preparing voluntary guidelines to inform BTRs. They also considered the importance of focusing on the GST as the ExCom, the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), and the wider need to reassert the ExCom’s coherence and complementarity in the evolving landscape of Loss and Damage governance. However, it remains unclear what action will now be taken.
Collaboration with the Loss and Damage Fund and Santiago Network: Our expectations were met for collaboration with the Santiago Network and partially met for the Loss and Damage Fund. Discussions on collaborating with the Loss and Damage Fund and Santiago Network took place with an emphasis on coherence and complementarity, with the ExCom bringing an offer on how they see the Committee working with the Santiago Network. Although there was a stronger focus on connecting the WIM to the Santiago Network —where multiple ExCom members are part of the Advisory Board of the SNLD— the ExCom also made it clear that it was keen on having a connection in place with the Loss and Damage Fund in light of the changed landscape of Loss and Damage governance. We therefore look forward to further progress once the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund has met for the first time. Specific actions included nominating focal points to attend meetings and considering submissions on voluntary guidance to inform the preparation of BTRs. However, details on the execution of these collaborations remain broad.
Promotion of Technical Guides and Knowledge Products: Our expectations were met. There was a strong mandate to work with entities making up the Loss and Damage funding arrangements, including promoting the use of ExCom’s technical guides and knowledge products. Dedicated events to promote these products were proposed, showcasing a proactive approach to enhance the visibility and utility of the guides and knowledge products at the regional and national levels.
Consideration of the Outcomes of the First Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement: Our expectations were partially met. There were discussions on how to respond to the mandates from the GST, including the preparation of voluntary guidelines for enhancing data collection and management. This aligns with the request for ExCom to assist in preparing BTRs and synthesis reports on Loss and Damage provided by Parties. However, it is unclear what the ExCom’s next steps will be.
Engagement in Work Under the Santiago Network and Its Advisory Board: This expectation was partially addressed through plans for collaboration and synergy with the SNLD Advisory Board, including utilizing the ExCom’s technical guides. However, the specifics of these plans were not deeply detailed, and only a direction without concrete outcomes was indicated.
Operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and Funding Arrangements: Our expectations were partially met. The discussions acknowledged the criticality of the LDF and FA's operationalization and the ExCom’s potential role in providing guidance. While strategic intentions were outlined, the details of how these plans will be executed and what the outcomes will be were not explicitly articulated.
What did we learn In addition to what we hoped would be achieved at WIM ExCom 20?
The ExCom Submission for The New Collective Quantified Goal On Climate Finance (NCQG): Throughout WIM ExCom 20, developing country members highlighted that the ExCom could and should be making a submission to inform the 2024 work plan of the NCQG having made one previously for the Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage. Reasons to do so highlighted by developing country members included: 1. Not to prejudge the outcome, but to provide guidance on the questions or modalities for the Technical Expert Dialogues (TEDs) of the NCQG; 2. In light of the challenges faced with Loss and Damage finance; and; 3. It is yet to be ruled out that Loss and Damage will or will not be included in the NCQG. Whilst developed countries Parties argued that they struggled to see the value of WIM ExCom submission and that the submissions made by Parties would already be extensive. Additionally, developed countries highlighted that developed and developed Parties have different views on whether or not Loss and Damage is part of NCQG or not. On the contents of the submission, developing countries suggested that the expert group on Action and Support Expert Group (ASEG) could discuss the scope of Loss and Damage Finance needed. As a way forward it was proposed that the ASEG group will discuss the contents of a possible submission and if they can agree, and the ExCom can endorse it, a submission will be made.
The UNFCCC’s Updated Technical Paper on Non-Economic Losses (NELs): The ExCom discussed the update of the UNFCCC’s 2013 technical paper on non-economic losses. This paper will include three chapters which will cover: 1. environmental degradation/loss of ecosystem services; 2. loss of territory and related losses; and 3. loss of cultural heritage. Whilst this much-needed update of the NELs technical paper is very welcome, in our opinion, the chapter structure does leave cause for some concern as health and mental health —both significant manifestations of non-economic loss and damage— are noticeably absent. The ExCom indicated that the deadline for contributions to inform the paper was set for March 2024, with the aim of finalising the new paper by September 2024 for endorsement at ExCom 21. Additionally, a joint activity with the Task Force on Displacement (TFD), the development of a technical guide on averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage in the context of human mobility was discussed, where it was noted that recruitment for a consultant to undertake the work was still underway.
The 3rd Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage: The discussion around the 3rd Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage (GD3) focused on the evolving context of the dialogue, especially considering the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and funding arrangements. The need for innovative approaches to the dialogue was highlighted, with emphasis on informing the Board of the Fund and on the process itself. There were suggestions for a group of champions to prepare guiding questions and modalities for GD3, reflecting the changed context and the importance of synergy between the ExCom, the SNLD, and the Loss and Damage Fund. The Excom also signalled its intention to bring in the Advisory Board Santiago Network to work with the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), Nabeel Munir of Pakistan, who will lead the organisation of GD3.
“Gender-responsive” and “gender-transformative” approaches to Loss and Damage: An important debate around adopting language on “gender-transformative” rather than “gender-responsive” approaches to Loss and Damage took place during ExCom 20 with the push to adopt “gender-transformative” led by gender focal points Jerome Ilagan of the Philippines and Friederike Elisabeth Eppen of France. However, when it came to decision-making, Parties acknowledged that the language is evolving, but unfortunately, were not yet ready to make the change preferring instead to stick with “gender-responsive” due to it being agreed language from the Paris Agreement. Whilst, this is another case of ambition getting watered down by agreed language we can be optimistic about the commitment from the gender focal points to push for “gender-transformative” and in the knowledge that they will keep pushing. Therefore we are very glad that the conversation was put on the table. For more on gender-transformative approaches see here.
Task Force on Displacement (TFD): The ExCom discussed updates related to the Task Force on Displacement (TFD), including the addition of a new member to the TFD representing civil society: The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). During discussions, the goals from the TDF’s 3rd Plan of Action were reiterated, including focusing on fostering a shared understanding of displacement associated with climate change impacts, supporting Parties with user-friendly tools for implementing TFD recommendations, and increasing visibility and impact of TFD efforts. Updates on the development of technical guides on accessing financial resources for addressing displacement and integrating human mobility in relevant national planning processes were also provided.
Cross-Expert Group Collaboration: The meeting emphasised the importance of collaboration across the WIM ExCom’s five expert groups, especially in light of the new landscape of Loss and Damage governance which has been shaped by the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund and the first GST. During discussions, the need for coherence, complementarity, and synergies across the ExCom, the SNLD, and Loss and Damage Fund was a recurring theme.
Comprehensive Risk Management: The WIM ExComs approach to comprehensive risk management was also widely discussed, particularly in the context of the Technical Expert Group on Comprehensive Risk Management (TEG-CRM). Updates on changes to the group's membership and progress on activities under the TEG-CRM’s 2nd plan of action were provided, whilst the intention to better cover Indigenous Knowledge and social protection in the TEG-CRM compendium was specifically highlighted.
WIM ExCom Outreach and Visibility: Throughout WIM ExCom 20, there was a significant focus on improving the outreach and visibility of ExCom’s work. Proposals included the organisation of annual outreach events to promote technical guides and knowledge products, and the idea of producing a loss and damage podcast to engage a wider audience.
2024 is a critical year for Loss and Damage governance. As the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund and the Advisory Board of the Santiago Network get to work, the third review of the WIM provides a significant opportunity to stitch together the rapidly evolving architecture of Loss and Damage governance under the UNFCCC. Following up, tracking and keeping pressure upon the ExCom and its 5 Expert groups, while raising the need for coherence, complementarity, and synergies across the ExCom, the SNLD, and the Loss and Damage Fund will be essential to ensure that this can happen. See our expectations for the work of policymakers across three key institutions with a mandate to work on Loss and Damage under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement here.
The Women and Gender Constituency (WGC) provides a number of ways for civil society and non-governmental organizations which work for women’s rights and gender justice, environmental protection, or both, to influence the annual conferences and help develop the UNFCCC. It provides a platform to exchange information between members and with the UNFCCC Secretariat. The constituency also ensures that meetings, workshops and conferences include the participation and representation of women’s civil society and non-governmental organizations which otherwise would not be able to attend. Find out more about the WGC here.
The Loss and Damage Collaboration (L&DC) is a group of climate policy and art and cultural practitioners, researchers, activists, lawyers, advocates and decision-makers from both the global North and South working together to ensure that vulnerable developing countries, and the vulnerable people and communities within them, have the support they need to address climate change-related loss and damage.
