ESTABLISHED during COP-27 in Egypt in 2022, Loss & Damage Fund addresses financial challenges for climate-vulnerable nations like Pakistan, supporting countries with irreversible climate impacts. Celebrated as a victory for climate justice after years of advocacy, the fund saw significant progress at its 3rd board meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, from September 18-20, 2024. This meeting marked its operationalization, setting up its first disbursements for 2025, converting $800 million in pledges into actionable support, electing an Executive Director, and finalizing management plans. These steps highlight fund’s critical role in boosting global climate resilience.
As chair of Group of 77 atCOP-27, Pakistan played a dynamic role in creation of this global fund, recognizing its vulnerability to climate change. In 2022, catastrophic floods affected approximately 33 million people, including 8.2 million women of reproductive age, submerging a third of nation and highlighting the urgent need for such a fund. The proactive stance of Pakistan in advocacy reflects the critical need for resources to tackle extensive losses and damages from frequent climate-led disasters across the country. The operationalization of this fund is crucial for bolstering Pakistan’s climate resilience and protecting its most vulnerable groups, particularly women& girls in marginalized areas; where impacts of climate change are the most pronounced.
Despite the urgency, Ministry of Climate Change& Environmental Coordination (MoCC & EC) in Pakistan currently lacks institutional mechanisms necessary to effectively access and manage this international fund. This gap hinders country’s ability to deploy these funds for projects that manage climate-induced damages particularly those affecting vulnerable populations including women. To address this effectively, Pakistan needs to establish a dedicated task force within MoCC & EC. This team should include experts in fields of climate finance, adaptation, mitigation, policy development, and gender-responsive actions, and also representatives from Ministry of Finance, National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, and Ministry of National Food Security & Research. This holistic approach will facilitate development of a strategic plan that clearly defines eligibility criteria, streamlines application procedures, and establishes robust project monitoring &evaluation frameworks, ensuring effective utilization of funds.
Furthermore, forging partnerships with international organizations will be instrumental in enabling Pakistan to leverage global expertise and resources to ensure effective utilization of fund. By implementing these measures, Pakistan will not only secure necessary financial resources but also significantly bolster its ability to build inclusive climate resilient communities. As Pakistan strives for climate resilience and gender equity, effectively operationalizing this abovementioned fund is crucial. By establishing a dedicated task force within MoCC & EC, Pakistan will ensure strategic fund management and policy development for long-term resilience and inclusivity. Moreover, Pakistan’s active role in COP-29, advocating for rapid activation of the fund, highlights its commitment to global climate solutions and sets a collaborative example for others. Integrating immediate relief with sustainable strategies will enhance Pakistan’s mitigation efforts and foster a more equitable future, reinforcing its leadership in climate action and gender justice on the global stage.
—The writer is Technical Expert-Gender & Climate Change at National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW).
