ECO was pleased to hear so many Heads of State recognise that climate change is already resulting in severe impacts. Leaders of the most powerful countries acknowledged the existential threats to the most vulnerable. ECO hopes that negotiators are listening to their bosses.
If not, loss and damage will be a sticking point for negotiations this week. We are sure that many ministers will not be happy when the new text on Saturday looks just like the current one. That is, one ‘non’-option to exclude loss and damage completely, and one option for a 5-paragraph comprehensive loss and damage mechanism under the agreement.
If negotiators are in fact listening to their bosses, they can make substantial progress on loss and damage this week. They need to elaborate further options to address L&D within the Paris agreement, combined with immediate steps to address key concerns through the COP decisions.
There is no obstacle to putting institutional arrangements in the Paris agreement. Negotiators can also leave open the possibility of future amendments. Either way, negotiators can make progress. There is no time for brinkmanship.
