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COP27 loss and damage fund agreement unlikely to create region-wide climate support for developing nations in North East Asia and Oceania
23 November 2022
Key points
- Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Significance: Parties of the COP27 reached agreement on the establishment of an international loss and damage fund, to help developing nations manage the costs incurred because of climate change.
- Outlook: Although seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for developing nations in the region of North East Asia and Oceania, contributions to address the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to change developed nations' contributions to regional climate security.
Event:
Between 6 and 18 November, governments, civil society groups, and private companies met in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27). A major area of contention was the financing of efforts to tackle climate change, especially related to the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the effects of climate change. Loss and damage refers to the costs already incurred by climate change and includes impacts such as damage to agriculture and food production, the migration of people, and loss of culture. This was the first time that loss and damage funding had been included on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP agenda. Extended negotiations beyond the end of the conference resulted in a commitment to establish an international loss and damage fund in the final COP27 document on 20 November.
Significance:
The prominence of loss and damage financing at COP27 has been driven by developing countries, largely from the Global South, that form the G77 bloc. These countries are currently experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, despite having emitted significantly lower levels of the greenhouse gases that have driven climate change over the past decades.
Pacific Island nations including Fiji and the Marshall Islands have been prominent in the calls for a loss and damage fund. However, support for such an initiative has varied across North East Asia and Oceania, limiting the regions' potential in responding to climate change and working cohesively to manage the already-occurring effects of climate change.
Outlook: Regional contributions
It is almost certain that climate change will continue to be a priority security issue for developing nations, especially Pacific Island countries. The Pacific Islands are facing rising sea levels as well as increasingly extreme weather events. According to a 2020 UN Capital Development report, the Solomon Islands' sea level increased an average of 7 to 10 millimetres per year between 2000 and 2020, relative to the global average of 2.2 mm per year. Although contributions towards the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to fundamentally change developed nations' contributions to climate security, seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for the developing countries in the region.
Australia
During COP27, Australia did not declare an official position on the formal establishment of a loss and damage fund. However, in a statement at the COP27, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, noted a commitment to provide an additional AUD900 million (USD595 million) to support “the Pacific family's development and resilience in dealing with the climate emergency”. This was not an announcement of new funding, however, and refers to an allocation of AUD900 million over four years to support the priorities of Pacific Island nations, including but not limited to strengthening the region's climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
Outlook:
It is highly likely that Australia will provide climate-related support to Pacific Island nations. Australia is almost certainly seeking to re-establish its climate credentials under the Albanese administration and is also keen to retain strong relations with the Pacific Islands to balance China's growing interest in the region.
China
China's climate envoy at COP27, Xie Zhenhua, said that Beijing is supportive of loss and damage provisions for developing countries. However, a spokesperson from the Chinese delegation to the conference stated that China would not contribute financially. China's role in contributing to loss and damage is highly likely to be a prominent discussion point leading up to and throughout COP28. Under the UNFCCC China is classified as a developing country. However, China's economic and industrial growth in the last 30 years resulted in the country becoming the highest emitter of carbon dioxide, although on a per capita basis was ranked 43 in 2021 according to Our World in Data. Despite Beijing's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the country's classification as a developing nation has not changed and contributes to China's argument that it does not bear the same responsibility as other high-emissions countries.
Outlook:
It is likely that China's stance on its historical responsibility for carbon emissions will prevent Beijing from contributing to an international loss and damage fund or providing loss and damage financing to the Pacific Islands. Beijing does provide climate-related financing to developing countries on a bilateral basis, including Pacific Island nations. It is likely that China's preference will continue to be to provide support bilaterally, as this will also help Beijing leverage climate engagements for its other foreign and security policy interests. Although climate security is a priority concern for Pacific Island countries, it is unlikely that China's lack of interest in providing financial support for an international loss and damage fund will alter Pacific Islands' interest in increasing co-operation with China in other areas.
South Korea
South Korea has not announced an official position on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. At the COP27, Seoul pledged to a total of KRW3.6 billion (USD 2.72million) to the international Adaptation Fund, which was set up in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC. The funding allocation is for three years, starting in 2023. However, as a top 10 global economy this contribution is financially small and likely indicates South Korea's hesitancy towards international climate funding.
Outlook:
It is likely that South Korea will seek to contribute to climate change solutions through support for technological developments, such as continuing to play a role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, this is unlikely to help address the immediate climate security issues faced by developing countries. It is likely that any contribution Seoul makes to a loss and damage fund will be small.
Japan
At the COP27 Japan's Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro announced Japan's “Assistance package for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage”. Akihiro also noted that Tokyo is considering providing finance to support the World Bank's Global Risk Financing Facility, to further support Japan's contributions to loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite this pledge, Japan has not made its position on the establishment of a dedicated international loss and damage fund known at the time of writing.
Outlook:
Given Tokyo's unilateral pledges, it is likely that Japan will contribute to the international loss and damage fund. This would follow the trend of Japan increasing its financial contributions to climate-related security initiatives, including commitments made at COP26 and the G7 summit in 2021.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the only developed country in North East Asia and Oceania to explicitly support the idea of an international loss and damage fund and unilaterally allocate funding to support loss and damage in developing countries. On 9 November New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said that the country will allocate NZD20 million (USD12 million), which will be used to “benefit communities in the Pacific and around the world”. The NZD20 million will be allocated from New Zealand's October 2021 commitment of NZD1.3 billion over four years, with 50% of that reserved for the Pacific region.
Outlook:
It is likely that New Zealand will contribute to the international loss and damage fund once it is fully established. New Zealand is also highly likely to continue to work bilaterally with Pacific Island countries to address loss and damage resulting from climate change.
North Korea
North Korea is a member of the G77, the group of countries that has sought to prioritise the establishment of an international loss and damage fund. Although it is not clear how active Pyongyang has been in co-ordinating with other members of the bloc on this issue, a statement at COP27 delivered by Mong Hak-jong, North Korea's Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to Geneva, called on developed countries to “fulfil their historical and moral responsibilities” as those most responsible for the “current plight of climate change”. Although a loss and damage fund was not referred to specifically, the statement did recognise that there is no agreement on “important issues such as technical and financial assistance to the developing countries”.
Outlook:
There is a roughly even chance that North Korea will engage directly with the loss and damage fund once it is fully operational. Although this will depend on the stipulations associated with accessing the fund and any requirements to allow international personnel to observe climate-related loss and damage, North Korea has regularly acknowledged the impact of climate change and extreme weather as a security issue.
Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Se...
COP27 loss and damage fund agreement unlikely to create region-wide climate support for developing nations in North East Asia and Oceania
23 November 2022
Key points
- Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Significance: Parties of the COP27 reached agreement on the establishment of an international loss and damage fund, to help developing nations manage the costs incurred because of climate change.
- Outlook: Although seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for developing nations in the region of North East Asia and Oceania, contributions to address the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to change developed nations' contributions to regional climate security.
Event:
Between 6 and 18 November, governments, civil society groups, and private companies met in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27). A major area of contention was the financing of efforts to tackle climate change, especially related to the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the effects of climate change. Loss and damage refers to the costs already incurred by climate change and includes impacts such as damage to agriculture and food production, the migration of people, and loss of culture. This was the first time that loss and damage funding had been included on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP agenda. Extended negotiations beyond the end of the conference resulted in a commitment to establish an international loss and damage fund in the final COP27 document on 20 November.
Significance:
The prominence of loss and damage financing at COP27 has been driven by developing countries, largely from the Global South, that form the G77 bloc. These countries are currently experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, despite having emitted significantly lower levels of the greenhouse gases that have driven climate change over the past decades.
Pacific Island nations including Fiji and the Marshall Islands have been prominent in the calls for a loss and damage fund. However, support for such an initiative has varied across North East Asia and Oceania, limiting the regions' potential in responding to climate change and working cohesively to manage the already-occurring effects of climate change.
Outlook: Regional contributions
It is almost certain that climate change will continue to be a priority security issue for developing nations, especially Pacific Island countries. The Pacific Islands are facing rising sea levels as well as increasingly extreme weather events. According to a 2020 UN Capital Development report, the Solomon Islands' sea level increased an average of 7 to 10 millimetres per year between 2000 and 2020, relative to the global average of 2.2 mm per year. Although contributions towards the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to fundamentally change developed nations' contributions to climate security, seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for the developing countries in the region.
Australia
During COP27, Australia did not declare an official position on the formal establishment of a loss and damage fund. However, in a statement at the COP27, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, noted a commitment to provide an additional AUD900 million (USD595 million) to support “the Pacific family's development and resilience in dealing with the climate emergency”. This was not an announcement of new funding, however, and refers to an allocation of AUD900 million over four years to support the priorities of Pacific Island nations, including but not limited to strengthening the region's climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
Outlook:
It is highly likely that Australia will provide climate-related support to Pacific Island nations. Australia is almost certainly seeking to re-establish its climate credentials under the Albanese administration and is also keen to retain strong relations with the Pacific Islands to balance China's growing interest in the region.
China
China's climate envoy at COP27, Xie Zhenhua, said that Beijing is supportive of loss and damage provisions for developing countries. However, a spokesperson from the Chinese delegation to the conference stated that China would not contribute financially. China's role in contributing to loss and damage is highly likely to be a prominent discussion point leading up to and throughout COP28. Under the UNFCCC China is classified as a developing country. However, China's economic and industrial growth in the last 30 years resulted in the country becoming the highest emitter of carbon dioxide, although on a per capita basis was ranked 43 in 2021 according to Our World in Data. Despite Beijing's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the country's classification as a developing nation has not changed and contributes to China's argument that it does not bear the same responsibility as other high-emissions countries.
Outlook:
It is likely that China's stance on its historical responsibility for carbon emissions will prevent Beijing from contributing to an international loss and damage fund or providing loss and damage financing to the Pacific Islands. Beijing does provide climate-related financing to developing countries on a bilateral basis, including Pacific Island nations. It is likely that China's preference will continue to be to provide support bilaterally, as this will also help Beijing leverage climate engagements for its other foreign and security policy interests. Although climate security is a priority concern for Pacific Island countries, it is unlikely that China's lack of interest in providing financial support for an international loss and damage fund will alter Pacific Islands' interest in increasing co-operation with China in other areas.
South Korea
South Korea has not announced an official position on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. At the COP27, Seoul pledged to a total of KRW3.6 billion (USD 2.72million) to the international Adaptation Fund, which was set up in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC. The funding allocation is for three years, starting in 2023. However, as a top 10 global economy this contribution is financially small and likely indicates South Korea's hesitancy towards international climate funding.
Outlook:
It is likely that South Korea will seek to contribute to climate change solutions through support for technological developments, such as continuing to play a role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, this is unlikely to help address the immediate climate security issues faced by developing countries. It is likely that any contribution Seoul makes to a loss and damage fund will be small.
Japan
At the COP27 Japan's Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro announced Japan's “Assistance package for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage”. Akihiro also noted that Tokyo is considering providing finance to support the World Bank's Global Risk Financing Facility, to further support Japan's contributions to loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite this pledge, Japan has not made its position on the establishment of a dedicated international loss and damage fund known at the time of writing.
Outlook:
Given Tokyo's unilateral pledges, it is likely that Japan will contribute to the international loss and damage fund. This would follow the trend of Japan increasing its financial contributions to climate-related security initiatives, including commitments made at COP26 and the G7 summit in 2021.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the only developed country in North East Asia and Oceania to explicitly support the idea of an international loss and damage fund and unilaterally allocate funding to support loss and damage in developing countries. On 9 November New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said that the country will allocate NZD20 million (USD12 million), which will be used to “benefit communities in the Pacific and around the world”. The NZD20 million will be allocated from New Zealand's October 2021 commitment of NZD1.3 billion over four years, with 50% of that reserved for the Pacific region.
Outlook:
It is likely that New Zealand will contribute to the international loss and damage fund once it is fully established. New Zealand is also highly likely to continue to work bilaterally with Pacific Island countries to address loss and damage resulting from climate change.
North Korea
North Korea is a member of the G77, the group of countries that has sought to prioritise the establishment of an international loss and damage fund. Although it is not clear how active Pyongyang has been in co-ordinating with other members of the bloc on this issue, a statement at COP27 delivered by Mong Hak-jong, North Korea's Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to Geneva, called on developed countries to “fulfil their historical and moral responsibilities” as those most responsible for the “current plight of climate change”. Although a loss and damage fund was not referred to specifically, the statement did recognise that there is no agreement on “important issues such as technical and financial assistance to the developing countries”.
Outlook:
There is a roughly even chance that North Korea will engage directly with the loss and damage fund once it is fully operational. Although this will depend on the stipulations associated with accessing the fund and any requirements to allow international personnel to observe climate-related loss and damage, North Korea has regularly acknowledged the impact of climate change and extreme weather as a security issue.
Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Se...
COP27 loss and damage fund agreement unlikely to create region-wide climate support for developing nations in North East Asia and Oceania
23 November 2022
Key points
- Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Significance: Parties of the COP27 reached agreement on the establishment of an international loss and damage fund, to help developing nations manage the costs incurred because of climate change.
- Outlook: Although seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for developing nations in the region of North East Asia and Oceania, contributions to address the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to change developed nations' contributions to regional climate security.
Event:
Between 6 and 18 November, governments, civil society groups, and private companies met in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27). A major area of contention was the financing of efforts to tackle climate change, especially related to the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the effects of climate change. Loss and damage refers to the costs already incurred by climate change and includes impacts such as damage to agriculture and food production, the migration of people, and loss of culture. This was the first time that loss and damage funding had been included on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP agenda. Extended negotiations beyond the end of the conference resulted in a commitment to establish an international loss and damage fund in the final COP27 document on 20 November.
Significance:
The prominence of loss and damage financing at COP27 has been driven by developing countries, largely from the Global South, that form the G77 bloc. These countries are currently experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, despite having emitted significantly lower levels of the greenhouse gases that have driven climate change over the past decades.
Pacific Island nations including Fiji and the Marshall Islands have been prominent in the calls for a loss and damage fund. However, support for such an initiative has varied across North East Asia and Oceania, limiting the regions' potential in responding to climate change and working cohesively to manage the already-occurring effects of climate change.
Outlook: Regional contributions
It is almost certain that climate change will continue to be a priority security issue for developing nations, especially Pacific Island countries. The Pacific Islands are facing rising sea levels as well as increasingly extreme weather events. According to a 2020 UN Capital Development report, the Solomon Islands' sea level increased an average of 7 to 10 millimetres per year between 2000 and 2020, relative to the global average of 2.2 mm per year. Although contributions towards the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to fundamentally change developed nations' contributions to climate security, seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for the developing countries in the region.
Australia
During COP27, Australia did not declare an official position on the formal establishment of a loss and damage fund. However, in a statement at the COP27, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, noted a commitment to provide an additional AUD900 million (USD595 million) to support “the Pacific family's development and resilience in dealing with the climate emergency”. This was not an announcement of new funding, however, and refers to an allocation of AUD900 million over four years to support the priorities of Pacific Island nations, including but not limited to strengthening the region's climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
Outlook:
It is highly likely that Australia will provide climate-related support to Pacific Island nations. Australia is almost certainly seeking to re-establish its climate credentials under the Albanese administration and is also keen to retain strong relations with the Pacific Islands to balance China's growing interest in the region.
China
China's climate envoy at COP27, Xie Zhenhua, said that Beijing is supportive of loss and damage provisions for developing countries. However, a spokesperson from the Chinese delegation to the conference stated that China would not contribute financially. China's role in contributing to loss and damage is highly likely to be a prominent discussion point leading up to and throughout COP28. Under the UNFCCC China is classified as a developing country. However, China's economic and industrial growth in the last 30 years resulted in the country becoming the highest emitter of carbon dioxide, although on a per capita basis was ranked 43 in 2021 according to Our World in Data. Despite Beijing's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the country's classification as a developing nation has not changed and contributes to China's argument that it does not bear the same responsibility as other high-emissions countries.
Outlook:
It is likely that China's stance on its historical responsibility for carbon emissions will prevent Beijing from contributing to an international loss and damage fund or providing loss and damage financing to the Pacific Islands. Beijing does provide climate-related financing to developing countries on a bilateral basis, including Pacific Island nations. It is likely that China's preference will continue to be to provide support bilaterally, as this will also help Beijing leverage climate engagements for its other foreign and security policy interests. Although climate security is a priority concern for Pacific Island countries, it is unlikely that China's lack of interest in providing financial support for an international loss and damage fund will alter Pacific Islands' interest in increasing co-operation with China in other areas.
South Korea
South Korea has not announced an official position on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. At the COP27, Seoul pledged to a total of KRW3.6 billion (USD 2.72million) to the international Adaptation Fund, which was set up in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC. The funding allocation is for three years, starting in 2023. However, as a top 10 global economy this contribution is financially small and likely indicates South Korea's hesitancy towards international climate funding.
Outlook:
It is likely that South Korea will seek to contribute to climate change solutions through support for technological developments, such as continuing to play a role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, this is unlikely to help address the immediate climate security issues faced by developing countries. It is likely that any contribution Seoul makes to a loss and damage fund will be small.
Japan
At the COP27 Japan's Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro announced Japan's “Assistance package for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage”. Akihiro also noted that Tokyo is considering providing finance to support the World Bank's Global Risk Financing Facility, to further support Japan's contributions to loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite this pledge, Japan has not made its position on the establishment of a dedicated international loss and damage fund known at the time of writing.
Outlook:
Given Tokyo's unilateral pledges, it is likely that Japan will contribute to the international loss and damage fund. This would follow the trend of Japan increasing its financial contributions to climate-related security initiatives, including commitments made at COP26 and the G7 summit in 2021.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the only developed country in North East Asia and Oceania to explicitly support the idea of an international loss and damage fund and unilaterally allocate funding to support loss and damage in developing countries. On 9 November New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said that the country will allocate NZD20 million (USD12 million), which will be used to “benefit communities in the Pacific and around the world”. The NZD20 million will be allocated from New Zealand's October 2021 commitment of NZD1.3 billion over four years, with 50% of that reserved for the Pacific region.
Outlook:
It is likely that New Zealand will contribute to the international loss and damage fund once it is fully established. New Zealand is also highly likely to continue to work bilaterally with Pacific Island countries to address loss and damage resulting from climate change.
North Korea
North Korea is a member of the G77, the group of countries that has sought to prioritise the establishment of an international loss and damage fund. Although it is not clear how active Pyongyang has been in co-ordinating with other members of the bloc on this issue, a statement at COP27 delivered by Mong Hak-jong, North Korea's Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to Geneva, called on developed countries to “fulfil their historical and moral responsibilities” as those most responsible for the “current plight of climate change”. Although a loss and damage fund was not referred to specifically, the statement did recognise that there is no agreement on “important issues such as technical and financial assistance to the developing countries”.
Outlook:
There is a roughly even chance that North Korea will engage directly with the loss and damage fund once it is fully operational. Although this will depend on the stipulations associated with accessing the fund and any requirements to allow international personnel to observe climate-related loss and damage, North Korea has regularly acknowledged the impact of climate change and extreme weather as a security issue.
Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Se...
COP27 loss and damage fund agreement unlikely to create region-wide climate support for developing nations in North East Asia and Oceania
23 November 2022
Key points
- Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Significance: Parties of the COP27 reached agreement on the establishment of an international loss and damage fund, to help developing nations manage the costs incurred because of climate change.
- Outlook: Although seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for developing nations in the region of North East Asia and Oceania, contributions to address the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to change developed nations' contributions to regional climate security.
Event:
Between 6 and 18 November, governments, civil society groups, and private companies met in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27). A major area of contention was the financing of efforts to tackle climate change, especially related to the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the effects of climate change. Loss and damage refers to the costs already incurred by climate change and includes impacts such as damage to agriculture and food production, the migration of people, and loss of culture. This was the first time that loss and damage funding had been included on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP agenda. Extended negotiations beyond the end of the conference resulted in a commitment to establish an international loss and damage fund in the final COP27 document on 20 November.
Significance:
The prominence of loss and damage financing at COP27 has been driven by developing countries, largely from the Global South, that form the G77 bloc. These countries are currently experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, despite having emitted significantly lower levels of the greenhouse gases that have driven climate change over the past decades.
Pacific Island nations including Fiji and the Marshall Islands have been prominent in the calls for a loss and damage fund. However, support for such an initiative has varied across North East Asia and Oceania, limiting the regions' potential in responding to climate change and working cohesively to manage the already-occurring effects of climate change.
Outlook: Regional contributions
It is almost certain that climate change will continue to be a priority security issue for developing nations, especially Pacific Island countries. The Pacific Islands are facing rising sea levels as well as increasingly extreme weather events. According to a 2020 UN Capital Development report, the Solomon Islands' sea level increased an average of 7 to 10 millimetres per year between 2000 and 2020, relative to the global average of 2.2 mm per year. Although contributions towards the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to fundamentally change developed nations' contributions to climate security, seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for the developing countries in the region.
Australia
During COP27, Australia did not declare an official position on the formal establishment of a loss and damage fund. However, in a statement at the COP27, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, noted a commitment to provide an additional AUD900 million (USD595 million) to support “the Pacific family's development and resilience in dealing with the climate emergency”. This was not an announcement of new funding, however, and refers to an allocation of AUD900 million over four years to support the priorities of Pacific Island nations, including but not limited to strengthening the region's climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
Outlook:
It is highly likely that Australia will provide climate-related support to Pacific Island nations. Australia is almost certainly seeking to re-establish its climate credentials under the Albanese administration and is also keen to retain strong relations with the Pacific Islands to balance China's growing interest in the region.
China
China's climate envoy at COP27, Xie Zhenhua, said that Beijing is supportive of loss and damage provisions for developing countries. However, a spokesperson from the Chinese delegation to the conference stated that China would not contribute financially. China's role in contributing to loss and damage is highly likely to be a prominent discussion point leading up to and throughout COP28. Under the UNFCCC China is classified as a developing country. However, China's economic and industrial growth in the last 30 years resulted in the country becoming the highest emitter of carbon dioxide, although on a per capita basis was ranked 43 in 2021 according to Our World in Data. Despite Beijing's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the country's classification as a developing nation has not changed and contributes to China's argument that it does not bear the same responsibility as other high-emissions countries.
Outlook:
It is likely that China's stance on its historical responsibility for carbon emissions will prevent Beijing from contributing to an international loss and damage fund or providing loss and damage financing to the Pacific Islands. Beijing does provide climate-related financing to developing countries on a bilateral basis, including Pacific Island nations. It is likely that China's preference will continue to be to provide support bilaterally, as this will also help Beijing leverage climate engagements for its other foreign and security policy interests. Although climate security is a priority concern for Pacific Island countries, it is unlikely that China's lack of interest in providing financial support for an international loss and damage fund will alter Pacific Islands' interest in increasing co-operation with China in other areas.
South Korea
South Korea has not announced an official position on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. At the COP27, Seoul pledged to a total of KRW3.6 billion (USD 2.72million) to the international Adaptation Fund, which was set up in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC. The funding allocation is for three years, starting in 2023. However, as a top 10 global economy this contribution is financially small and likely indicates South Korea's hesitancy towards international climate funding.
Outlook:
It is likely that South Korea will seek to contribute to climate change solutions through support for technological developments, such as continuing to play a role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, this is unlikely to help address the immediate climate security issues faced by developing countries. It is likely that any contribution Seoul makes to a loss and damage fund will be small.
Japan
At the COP27 Japan's Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro announced Japan's “Assistance package for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage”. Akihiro also noted that Tokyo is considering providing finance to support the World Bank's Global Risk Financing Facility, to further support Japan's contributions to loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite this pledge, Japan has not made its position on the establishment of a dedicated international loss and damage fund known at the time of writing.
Outlook:
Given Tokyo's unilateral pledges, it is likely that Japan will contribute to the international loss and damage fund. This would follow the trend of Japan increasing its financial contributions to climate-related security initiatives, including commitments made at COP26 and the G7 summit in 2021.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the only developed country in North East Asia and Oceania to explicitly support the idea of an international loss and damage fund and unilaterally allocate funding to support loss and damage in developing countries. On 9 November New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said that the country will allocate NZD20 million (USD12 million), which will be used to “benefit communities in the Pacific and around the world”. The NZD20 million will be allocated from New Zealand's October 2021 commitment of NZD1.3 billion over four years, with 50% of that reserved for the Pacific region.
Outlook:
It is likely that New Zealand will contribute to the international loss and damage fund once it is fully established. New Zealand is also highly likely to continue to work bilaterally with Pacific Island countries to address loss and damage resulting from climate change.
North Korea
North Korea is a member of the G77, the group of countries that has sought to prioritise the establishment of an international loss and damage fund. Although it is not clear how active Pyongyang has been in co-ordinating with other members of the bloc on this issue, a statement at COP27 delivered by Mong Hak-jong, North Korea's Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to Geneva, called on developed countries to “fulfil their historical and moral responsibilities” as those most responsible for the “current plight of climate change”. Although a loss and damage fund was not referred to specifically, the statement did recognise that there is no agreement on “important issues such as technical and financial assistance to the developing countries”.
Outlook:
There is a roughly even chance that North Korea will engage directly with the loss and damage fund once it is fully operational. Although this will depend on the stipulations associated with accessing the fund and any requirements to allow international personnel to observe climate-related loss and damage, North Korea has regularly acknowledged the impact of climate change and extreme weather as a security issue.
Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Se...
COP27 loss and damage fund agreement unlikely to create region-wide climate support for developing nations in North East Asia and Oceania
23 November 2022
Key points
- Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Significance: Parties of the COP27 reached agreement on the establishment of an international loss and damage fund, to help developing nations manage the costs incurred because of climate change.
- Outlook: Although seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for developing nations in the region of North East Asia and Oceania, contributions to address the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to change developed nations' contributions to regional climate security.
Event:
Between 6 and 18 November, governments, civil society groups, and private companies met in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27). A major area of contention was the financing of efforts to tackle climate change, especially related to the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the effects of climate change. Loss and damage refers to the costs already incurred by climate change and includes impacts such as damage to agriculture and food production, the migration of people, and loss of culture. This was the first time that loss and damage funding had been included on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP agenda. Extended negotiations beyond the end of the conference resulted in a commitment to establish an international loss and damage fund in the final COP27 document on 20 November.
Significance:
The prominence of loss and damage financing at COP27 has been driven by developing countries, largely from the Global South, that form the G77 bloc. These countries are currently experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, despite having emitted significantly lower levels of the greenhouse gases that have driven climate change over the past decades.
Pacific Island nations including Fiji and the Marshall Islands have been prominent in the calls for a loss and damage fund. However, support for such an initiative has varied across North East Asia and Oceania, limiting the regions' potential in responding to climate change and working cohesively to manage the already-occurring effects of climate change.
Outlook: Regional contributions
It is almost certain that climate change will continue to be a priority security issue for developing nations, especially Pacific Island countries. The Pacific Islands are facing rising sea levels as well as increasingly extreme weather events. According to a 2020 UN Capital Development report, the Solomon Islands' sea level increased an average of 7 to 10 millimetres per year between 2000 and 2020, relative to the global average of 2.2 mm per year. Although contributions towards the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to fundamentally change developed nations' contributions to climate security, seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for the developing countries in the region.
Australia
During COP27, Australia did not declare an official position on the formal establishment of a loss and damage fund. However, in a statement at the COP27, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, noted a commitment to provide an additional AUD900 million (USD595 million) to support “the Pacific family's development and resilience in dealing with the climate emergency”. This was not an announcement of new funding, however, and refers to an allocation of AUD900 million over four years to support the priorities of Pacific Island nations, including but not limited to strengthening the region's climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
Outlook:
It is highly likely that Australia will provide climate-related support to Pacific Island nations. Australia is almost certainly seeking to re-establish its climate credentials under the Albanese administration and is also keen to retain strong relations with the Pacific Islands to balance China's growing interest in the region.
China
China's climate envoy at COP27, Xie Zhenhua, said that Beijing is supportive of loss and damage provisions for developing countries. However, a spokesperson from the Chinese delegation to the conference stated that China would not contribute financially. China's role in contributing to loss and damage is highly likely to be a prominent discussion point leading up to and throughout COP28. Under the UNFCCC China is classified as a developing country. However, China's economic and industrial growth in the last 30 years resulted in the country becoming the highest emitter of carbon dioxide, although on a per capita basis was ranked 43 in 2021 according to Our World in Data. Despite Beijing's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the country's classification as a developing nation has not changed and contributes to China's argument that it does not bear the same responsibility as other high-emissions countries.
Outlook:
It is likely that China's stance on its historical responsibility for carbon emissions will prevent Beijing from contributing to an international loss and damage fund or providing loss and damage financing to the Pacific Islands. Beijing does provide climate-related financing to developing countries on a bilateral basis, including Pacific Island nations. It is likely that China's preference will continue to be to provide support bilaterally, as this will also help Beijing leverage climate engagements for its other foreign and security policy interests. Although climate security is a priority concern for Pacific Island countries, it is unlikely that China's lack of interest in providing financial support for an international loss and damage fund will alter Pacific Islands' interest in increasing co-operation with China in other areas.
South Korea
South Korea has not announced an official position on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. At the COP27, Seoul pledged to a total of KRW3.6 billion (USD 2.72million) to the international Adaptation Fund, which was set up in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC. The funding allocation is for three years, starting in 2023. However, as a top 10 global economy this contribution is financially small and likely indicates South Korea's hesitancy towards international climate funding.
Outlook:
It is likely that South Korea will seek to contribute to climate change solutions through support for technological developments, such as continuing to play a role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, this is unlikely to help address the immediate climate security issues faced by developing countries. It is likely that any contribution Seoul makes to a loss and damage fund will be small.
Japan
At the COP27 Japan's Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro announced Japan's “Assistance package for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage”. Akihiro also noted that Tokyo is considering providing finance to support the World Bank's Global Risk Financing Facility, to further support Japan's contributions to loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite this pledge, Japan has not made its position on the establishment of a dedicated international loss and damage fund known at the time of writing.
Outlook:
Given Tokyo's unilateral pledges, it is likely that Japan will contribute to the international loss and damage fund. This would follow the trend of Japan increasing its financial contributions to climate-related security initiatives, including commitments made at COP26 and the G7 summit in 2021.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the only developed country in North East Asia and Oceania to explicitly support the idea of an international loss and damage fund and unilaterally allocate funding to support loss and damage in developing countries. On 9 November New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said that the country will allocate NZD20 million (USD12 million), which will be used to “benefit communities in the Pacific and around the world”. The NZD20 million will be allocated from New Zealand's October 2021 commitment of NZD1.3 billion over four years, with 50% of that reserved for the Pacific region.
Outlook:
It is likely that New Zealand will contribute to the international loss and damage fund once it is fully established. New Zealand is also highly likely to continue to work bilaterally with Pacific Island countries to address loss and damage resulting from climate change.
North Korea
North Korea is a member of the G77, the group of countries that has sought to prioritise the establishment of an international loss and damage fund. Although it is not clear how active Pyongyang has been in co-ordinating with other members of the bloc on this issue, a statement at COP27 delivered by Mong Hak-jong, North Korea's Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to Geneva, called on developed countries to “fulfil their historical and moral responsibilities” as those most responsible for the “current plight of climate change”. Although a loss and damage fund was not referred to specifically, the statement did recognise that there is no agreement on “important issues such as technical and financial assistance to the developing countries”.
Outlook:
There is a roughly even chance that North Korea will engage directly with the loss and damage fund once it is fully operational. Although this will depend on the stipulations associated with accessing the fund and any requirements to allow international personnel to observe climate-related loss and damage, North Korea has regularly acknowledged the impact of climate change and extreme weather as a security issue.
Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Se...
COP27 loss and damage fund agreement unlikely to create region-wide climate support for developing nations in North East Asia and Oceania
23 November 2022
Key points
- Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Significance: Parties of the COP27 reached agreement on the establishment of an international loss and damage fund, to help developing nations manage the costs incurred because of climate change.
- Outlook: Although seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for developing nations in the region of North East Asia and Oceania, contributions to address the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to change developed nations' contributions to regional climate security.
Event:
Between 6 and 18 November, governments, civil society groups, and private companies met in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27). A major area of contention was the financing of efforts to tackle climate change, especially related to the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the effects of climate change. Loss and damage refers to the costs already incurred by climate change and includes impacts such as damage to agriculture and food production, the migration of people, and loss of culture. This was the first time that loss and damage funding had been included on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP agenda. Extended negotiations beyond the end of the conference resulted in a commitment to establish an international loss and damage fund in the final COP27 document on 20 November.
Significance:
The prominence of loss and damage financing at COP27 has been driven by developing countries, largely from the Global South, that form the G77 bloc. These countries are currently experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, despite having emitted significantly lower levels of the greenhouse gases that have driven climate change over the past decades.
Pacific Island nations including Fiji and the Marshall Islands have been prominent in the calls for a loss and damage fund. However, support for such an initiative has varied across North East Asia and Oceania, limiting the regions' potential in responding to climate change and working cohesively to manage the already-occurring effects of climate change.
Outlook: Regional contributions
It is almost certain that climate change will continue to be a priority security issue for developing nations, especially Pacific Island countries. The Pacific Islands are facing rising sea levels as well as increasingly extreme weather events. According to a 2020 UN Capital Development report, the Solomon Islands' sea level increased an average of 7 to 10 millimetres per year between 2000 and 2020, relative to the global average of 2.2 mm per year. Although contributions towards the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to fundamentally change developed nations' contributions to climate security, seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for the developing countries in the region.
Australia
During COP27, Australia did not declare an official position on the formal establishment of a loss and damage fund. However, in a statement at the COP27, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, noted a commitment to provide an additional AUD900 million (USD595 million) to support “the Pacific family's development and resilience in dealing with the climate emergency”. This was not an announcement of new funding, however, and refers to an allocation of AUD900 million over four years to support the priorities of Pacific Island nations, including but not limited to strengthening the region's climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
Outlook:
It is highly likely that Australia will provide climate-related support to Pacific Island nations. Australia is almost certainly seeking to re-establish its climate credentials under the Albanese administration and is also keen to retain strong relations with the Pacific Islands to balance China's growing interest in the region.
China
China's climate envoy at COP27, Xie Zhenhua, said that Beijing is supportive of loss and damage provisions for developing countries. However, a spokesperson from the Chinese delegation to the conference stated that China would not contribute financially. China's role in contributing to loss and damage is highly likely to be a prominent discussion point leading up to and throughout COP28. Under the UNFCCC China is classified as a developing country. However, China's economic and industrial growth in the last 30 years resulted in the country becoming the highest emitter of carbon dioxide, although on a per capita basis was ranked 43 in 2021 according to Our World in Data. Despite Beijing's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the country's classification as a developing nation has not changed and contributes to China's argument that it does not bear the same responsibility as other high-emissions countries.
Outlook:
It is likely that China's stance on its historical responsibility for carbon emissions will prevent Beijing from contributing to an international loss and damage fund or providing loss and damage financing to the Pacific Islands. Beijing does provide climate-related financing to developing countries on a bilateral basis, including Pacific Island nations. It is likely that China's preference will continue to be to provide support bilaterally, as this will also help Beijing leverage climate engagements for its other foreign and security policy interests. Although climate security is a priority concern for Pacific Island countries, it is unlikely that China's lack of interest in providing financial support for an international loss and damage fund will alter Pacific Islands' interest in increasing co-operation with China in other areas.
South Korea
South Korea has not announced an official position on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. At the COP27, Seoul pledged to a total of KRW3.6 billion (USD 2.72million) to the international Adaptation Fund, which was set up in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC. The funding allocation is for three years, starting in 2023. However, as a top 10 global economy this contribution is financially small and likely indicates South Korea's hesitancy towards international climate funding.
Outlook:
It is likely that South Korea will seek to contribute to climate change solutions through support for technological developments, such as continuing to play a role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, this is unlikely to help address the immediate climate security issues faced by developing countries. It is likely that any contribution Seoul makes to a loss and damage fund will be small.
Japan
At the COP27 Japan's Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro announced Japan's “Assistance package for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage”. Akihiro also noted that Tokyo is considering providing finance to support the World Bank's Global Risk Financing Facility, to further support Japan's contributions to loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite this pledge, Japan has not made its position on the establishment of a dedicated international loss and damage fund known at the time of writing.
Outlook:
Given Tokyo's unilateral pledges, it is likely that Japan will contribute to the international loss and damage fund. This would follow the trend of Japan increasing its financial contributions to climate-related security initiatives, including commitments made at COP26 and the G7 summit in 2021.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the only developed country in North East Asia and Oceania to explicitly support the idea of an international loss and damage fund and unilaterally allocate funding to support loss and damage in developing countries. On 9 November New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said that the country will allocate NZD20 million (USD12 million), which will be used to “benefit communities in the Pacific and around the world”. The NZD20 million will be allocated from New Zealand's October 2021 commitment of NZD1.3 billion over four years, with 50% of that reserved for the Pacific region.
Outlook:
It is likely that New Zealand will contribute to the international loss and damage fund once it is fully established. New Zealand is also highly likely to continue to work bilaterally with Pacific Island countries to address loss and damage resulting from climate change.
North Korea
North Korea is a member of the G77, the group of countries that has sought to prioritise the establishment of an international loss and damage fund. Although it is not clear how active Pyongyang has been in co-ordinating with other members of the bloc on this issue, a statement at COP27 delivered by Mong Hak-jong, North Korea's Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to Geneva, called on developed countries to “fulfil their historical and moral responsibilities” as those most responsible for the “current plight of climate change”. Although a loss and damage fund was not referred to specifically, the statement did recognise that there is no agreement on “important issues such as technical and financial assistance to the developing countries”.
Outlook:
There is a roughly even chance that North Korea will engage directly with the loss and damage fund once it is fully operational. Although this will depend on the stipulations associated with accessing the fund and any requirements to allow international personnel to observe climate-related loss and damage, North Korea has regularly acknowledged the impact of climate change and extreme weather as a security issue.
Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Se...
COP27 loss and damage fund agreement unlikely to create region-wide climate support for developing nations in North East Asia and Oceania
23 November 2022
Key points
- Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Significance: Parties of the COP27 reached agreement on the establishment of an international loss and damage fund, to help developing nations manage the costs incurred because of climate change.
- Outlook: Although seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for developing nations in the region of North East Asia and Oceania, contributions to address the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to change developed nations' contributions to regional climate security.
Event:
Between 6 and 18 November, governments, civil society groups, and private companies met in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27). A major area of contention was the financing of efforts to tackle climate change, especially related to the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the effects of climate change. Loss and damage refers to the costs already incurred by climate change and includes impacts such as damage to agriculture and food production, the migration of people, and loss of culture. This was the first time that loss and damage funding had been included on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP agenda. Extended negotiations beyond the end of the conference resulted in a commitment to establish an international loss and damage fund in the final COP27 document on 20 November.
Significance:
The prominence of loss and damage financing at COP27 has been driven by developing countries, largely from the Global South, that form the G77 bloc. These countries are currently experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, despite having emitted significantly lower levels of the greenhouse gases that have driven climate change over the past decades.
Pacific Island nations including Fiji and the Marshall Islands have been prominent in the calls for a loss and damage fund. However, support for such an initiative has varied across North East Asia and Oceania, limiting the regions' potential in responding to climate change and working cohesively to manage the already-occurring effects of climate change.
Outlook: Regional contributions
It is almost certain that climate change will continue to be a priority security issue for developing nations, especially Pacific Island countries. The Pacific Islands are facing rising sea levels as well as increasingly extreme weather events. According to a 2020 UN Capital Development report, the Solomon Islands' sea level increased an average of 7 to 10 millimetres per year between 2000 and 2020, relative to the global average of 2.2 mm per year. Although contributions towards the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to fundamentally change developed nations' contributions to climate security, seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for the developing countries in the region.
Australia
During COP27, Australia did not declare an official position on the formal establishment of a loss and damage fund. However, in a statement at the COP27, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, noted a commitment to provide an additional AUD900 million (USD595 million) to support “the Pacific family's development and resilience in dealing with the climate emergency”. This was not an announcement of new funding, however, and refers to an allocation of AUD900 million over four years to support the priorities of Pacific Island nations, including but not limited to strengthening the region's climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
Outlook:
It is highly likely that Australia will provide climate-related support to Pacific Island nations. Australia is almost certainly seeking to re-establish its climate credentials under the Albanese administration and is also keen to retain strong relations with the Pacific Islands to balance China's growing interest in the region.
China
China's climate envoy at COP27, Xie Zhenhua, said that Beijing is supportive of loss and damage provisions for developing countries. However, a spokesperson from the Chinese delegation to the conference stated that China would not contribute financially. China's role in contributing to loss and damage is highly likely to be a prominent discussion point leading up to and throughout COP28. Under the UNFCCC China is classified as a developing country. However, China's economic and industrial growth in the last 30 years resulted in the country becoming the highest emitter of carbon dioxide, although on a per capita basis was ranked 43 in 2021 according to Our World in Data. Despite Beijing's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the country's classification as a developing nation has not changed and contributes to China's argument that it does not bear the same responsibility as other high-emissions countries.
Outlook:
It is likely that China's stance on its historical responsibility for carbon emissions will prevent Beijing from contributing to an international loss and damage fund or providing loss and damage financing to the Pacific Islands. Beijing does provide climate-related financing to developing countries on a bilateral basis, including Pacific Island nations. It is likely that China's preference will continue to be to provide support bilaterally, as this will also help Beijing leverage climate engagements for its other foreign and security policy interests. Although climate security is a priority concern for Pacific Island countries, it is unlikely that China's lack of interest in providing financial support for an international loss and damage fund will alter Pacific Islands' interest in increasing co-operation with China in other areas.
South Korea
South Korea has not announced an official position on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. At the COP27, Seoul pledged to a total of KRW3.6 billion (USD 2.72million) to the international Adaptation Fund, which was set up in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC. The funding allocation is for three years, starting in 2023. However, as a top 10 global economy this contribution is financially small and likely indicates South Korea's hesitancy towards international climate funding.
Outlook:
It is likely that South Korea will seek to contribute to climate change solutions through support for technological developments, such as continuing to play a role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, this is unlikely to help address the immediate climate security issues faced by developing countries. It is likely that any contribution Seoul makes to a loss and damage fund will be small.
Japan
At the COP27 Japan's Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro announced Japan's “Assistance package for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage”. Akihiro also noted that Tokyo is considering providing finance to support the World Bank's Global Risk Financing Facility, to further support Japan's contributions to loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite this pledge, Japan has not made its position on the establishment of a dedicated international loss and damage fund known at the time of writing.
Outlook:
Given Tokyo's unilateral pledges, it is likely that Japan will contribute to the international loss and damage fund. This would follow the trend of Japan increasing its financial contributions to climate-related security initiatives, including commitments made at COP26 and the G7 summit in 2021.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the only developed country in North East Asia and Oceania to explicitly support the idea of an international loss and damage fund and unilaterally allocate funding to support loss and damage in developing countries. On 9 November New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said that the country will allocate NZD20 million (USD12 million), which will be used to “benefit communities in the Pacific and around the world”. The NZD20 million will be allocated from New Zealand's October 2021 commitment of NZD1.3 billion over four years, with 50% of that reserved for the Pacific region.
Outlook:
It is likely that New Zealand will contribute to the international loss and damage fund once it is fully established. New Zealand is also highly likely to continue to work bilaterally with Pacific Island countries to address loss and damage resulting from climate change.
North Korea
North Korea is a member of the G77, the group of countries that has sought to prioritise the establishment of an international loss and damage fund. Although it is not clear how active Pyongyang has been in co-ordinating with other members of the bloc on this issue, a statement at COP27 delivered by Mong Hak-jong, North Korea's Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to Geneva, called on developed countries to “fulfil their historical and moral responsibilities” as those most responsible for the “current plight of climate change”. Although a loss and damage fund was not referred to specifically, the statement did recognise that there is no agreement on “important issues such as technical and financial assistance to the developing countries”.
Outlook:
There is a roughly even chance that North Korea will engage directly with the loss and damage fund once it is fully operational. Although this will depend on the stipulations associated with accessing the fund and any requirements to allow international personnel to observe climate-related loss and damage, North Korea has regularly acknowledged the impact of climate change and extreme weather as a security issue.
Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Se...
COP27 loss and damage fund agreement unlikely to create region-wide climate support for developing nations in North East Asia and Oceania
23 November 2022
Key points
- Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Significance: Parties of the COP27 reached agreement on the establishment of an international loss and damage fund, to help developing nations manage the costs incurred because of climate change.
- Outlook: Although seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for developing nations in the region of North East Asia and Oceania, contributions to address the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to change developed nations' contributions to regional climate security.
Event:
Between 6 and 18 November, governments, civil society groups, and private companies met in Egypt for the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27). A major area of contention was the financing of efforts to tackle climate change, especially related to the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the effects of climate change. Loss and damage refers to the costs already incurred by climate change and includes impacts such as damage to agriculture and food production, the migration of people, and loss of culture. This was the first time that loss and damage funding had been included on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP agenda. Extended negotiations beyond the end of the conference resulted in a commitment to establish an international loss and damage fund in the final COP27 document on 20 November.
Significance:
The prominence of loss and damage financing at COP27 has been driven by developing countries, largely from the Global South, that form the G77 bloc. These countries are currently experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, despite having emitted significantly lower levels of the greenhouse gases that have driven climate change over the past decades.
Pacific Island nations including Fiji and the Marshall Islands have been prominent in the calls for a loss and damage fund. However, support for such an initiative has varied across North East Asia and Oceania, limiting the regions' potential in responding to climate change and working cohesively to manage the already-occurring effects of climate change.
Outlook: Regional contributions
It is almost certain that climate change will continue to be a priority security issue for developing nations, especially Pacific Island countries. The Pacific Islands are facing rising sea levels as well as increasingly extreme weather events. According to a 2020 UN Capital Development report, the Solomon Islands' sea level increased an average of 7 to 10 millimetres per year between 2000 and 2020, relative to the global average of 2.2 mm per year. Although contributions towards the loss and damage caused by climate change are not likely to fundamentally change developed nations' contributions to climate security, seeking support for climate initiatives will almost certainly remain a priority for the developing countries in the region.
Australia
During COP27, Australia did not declare an official position on the formal establishment of a loss and damage fund. However, in a statement at the COP27, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, noted a commitment to provide an additional AUD900 million (USD595 million) to support “the Pacific family's development and resilience in dealing with the climate emergency”. This was not an announcement of new funding, however, and refers to an allocation of AUD900 million over four years to support the priorities of Pacific Island nations, including but not limited to strengthening the region's climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
Outlook:
It is highly likely that Australia will provide climate-related support to Pacific Island nations. Australia is almost certainly seeking to re-establish its climate credentials under the Albanese administration and is also keen to retain strong relations with the Pacific Islands to balance China's growing interest in the region.
China
China's climate envoy at COP27, Xie Zhenhua, said that Beijing is supportive of loss and damage provisions for developing countries. However, a spokesperson from the Chinese delegation to the conference stated that China would not contribute financially. China's role in contributing to loss and damage is highly likely to be a prominent discussion point leading up to and throughout COP28. Under the UNFCCC China is classified as a developing country. However, China's economic and industrial growth in the last 30 years resulted in the country becoming the highest emitter of carbon dioxide, although on a per capita basis was ranked 43 in 2021 according to Our World in Data. Despite Beijing's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the country's classification as a developing nation has not changed and contributes to China's argument that it does not bear the same responsibility as other high-emissions countries.
Outlook:
It is likely that China's stance on its historical responsibility for carbon emissions will prevent Beijing from contributing to an international loss and damage fund or providing loss and damage financing to the Pacific Islands. Beijing does provide climate-related financing to developing countries on a bilateral basis, including Pacific Island nations. It is likely that China's preference will continue to be to provide support bilaterally, as this will also help Beijing leverage climate engagements for its other foreign and security policy interests. Although climate security is a priority concern for Pacific Island countries, it is unlikely that China's lack of interest in providing financial support for an international loss and damage fund will alter Pacific Islands' interest in increasing co-operation with China in other areas.
South Korea
South Korea has not announced an official position on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. At the COP27, Seoul pledged to a total of KRW3.6 billion (USD 2.72million) to the international Adaptation Fund, which was set up in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC. The funding allocation is for three years, starting in 2023. However, as a top 10 global economy this contribution is financially small and likely indicates South Korea's hesitancy towards international climate funding.
Outlook:
It is likely that South Korea will seek to contribute to climate change solutions through support for technological developments, such as continuing to play a role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, this is unlikely to help address the immediate climate security issues faced by developing countries. It is likely that any contribution Seoul makes to a loss and damage fund will be small.
Japan
At the COP27 Japan's Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro announced Japan's “Assistance package for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage”. Akihiro also noted that Tokyo is considering providing finance to support the World Bank's Global Risk Financing Facility, to further support Japan's contributions to loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite this pledge, Japan has not made its position on the establishment of a dedicated international loss and damage fund known at the time of writing.
Outlook:
Given Tokyo's unilateral pledges, it is likely that Japan will contribute to the international loss and damage fund. This would follow the trend of Japan increasing its financial contributions to climate-related security initiatives, including commitments made at COP26 and the G7 summit in 2021.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the only developed country in North East Asia and Oceania to explicitly support the idea of an international loss and damage fund and unilaterally allocate funding to support loss and damage in developing countries. On 9 November New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said that the country will allocate NZD20 million (USD12 million), which will be used to “benefit communities in the Pacific and around the world”. The NZD20 million will be allocated from New Zealand's October 2021 commitment of NZD1.3 billion over four years, with 50% of that reserved for the Pacific region.
Outlook:
It is likely that New Zealand will contribute to the international loss and damage fund once it is fully established. New Zealand is also highly likely to continue to work bilaterally with Pacific Island countries to address loss and damage resulting from climate change.
North Korea
North Korea is a member of the G77, the group of countries that has sought to prioritise the establishment of an international loss and damage fund. Although it is not clear how active Pyongyang has been in co-ordinating with other members of the bloc on this issue, a statement at COP27 delivered by Mong Hak-jong, North Korea's Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to Geneva, called on developed countries to “fulfil their historical and moral responsibilities” as those most responsible for the “current plight of climate change”. Although a loss and damage fund was not referred to specifically, the statement did recognise that there is no agreement on “important issues such as technical and financial assistance to the developing countries”.
Outlook:
There is a roughly even chance that North Korea will engage directly with the loss and damage fund once it is fully operational. Although this will depend on the stipulations associated with accessing the fund and any requirements to allow international personnel to observe climate-related loss and damage, North Korea has regularly acknowledged the impact of climate change and extreme weather as a security issue.
Event: Between 6 and 18 November governments from around the world convened in Egypt for the 27th Se...
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