Australia: 'Doha sets up $3bn hit for taxpayers as climate deal fails to deliver on emissions targets'

Experts fear that "loss and damage" aid pledged in the recent UN Climate Conference to help developing nations adapt to climate change may "lead to long/term demands on rich countries" to pay for recovery expenses following climate related disaster events, reports The Australian. However, Greg Combet, Climate Change Minister for Australia stated that ""loss and damage" provisions would not leave Australia exposed to financial claims," and that "the aim was merely to help countries adapt to change".

Head of the Greens, Senator Christine Milne said: "It's a good thing the world has recognised that some countries are already suffering loss and damage as a result of climate change. But the agreement doesn't create a new funding mechanism and the existing funding mechanisms aren't delivering."