Loss and Damage governance must account for displacement

This policy brief emphasizes the need for COP29 decision-makers to prioritize displacement in loss and damage discussions, as it is one of the most significant yet underreported forms of climate impact. Comprehensive assessments that include displacement and its effects are essential to shape better policies, mobilize sufficient climate finance, and provide effective support for displaced communities. Existing tools and methodologies can aid countries in this effort, making it crucial for COP29 to place displacement at the forefront of decisions to avert, minimize, and address loss and damage.

Recommendations are as follows:

• incorporate disaster displacement in loss and damage assessments to ensure more accurate and targeted responses.
• conduct comprehensive assessments of displacement-related loss and damage to better inform policies and unlock climate funding, particularly for vulnerable and conflict-affected countries.
• build finance mechanisms that allow direct access to loss and damage funding for those addressing displacement and include loss and damage as a sub-goal in the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).