Africa Regional Symposium on Loss and DamageLilongwe -Malawi, April 5, 2022

AFRICA’S CSOS CALL ON GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO ACT FAST AND MAKE LOSS AND DAMAGE FACILITY OPERATIONAL WITH ADEQUATE AND HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE FUNDING

Malawi, April 5, 2022 ARSLD Malawi, Communique

Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), Tróciare, the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) and Christian Aid organized the Africa Regional Symposiuym on Loss and Damage aimed at providing a platform for African stakeholders and other global citizens to dialogue on how to move Loss and Damage forward with a focus on UNFCCC processes in Lilongwe, Malawi, April 03 –05, 2023.

Reflecting on the finding of the IPCC AR6 report that projects the region to experience more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires under all emission scenarios.

Further reflecting on the economic costs that are already piling up with the IPCC estimates pointing to  Africa as having  incurred annual losses of $7 billion due to climate change between 2010 and 2019, which could rise to $50 billion by 2040 under a high-emissions scenario, which could reduce gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Africa by 2-4% per year by 2040, and by 10-25% by 2100.

Taking into account testimonials of the lived realities of communities experiencing losses and damages, of all forms and magnitude as they grapple with extreme climate shocks trigered by cyclones, drought, strong wind, sea front erosions, heat waves.

Cognisant of COP28 as the cutoff date for operationalizing the loss and damage facility and therefore the accountability expectations on part of the Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage

Disturbed by the sad reality that the much hyped loss and damage fund may just be an empty fund with no money unless collectively, we as African actors amplify our voices, engage the global community based on irreducible minimums for COP28 and create the much needed sense of urgency for the making the Loss and Damage facility fully functional.

Drawing reference to institutional arrangements on other funding mechanisms under the UNFCCC that have adopted a business centred approach, have been hijacked by global business cartels and have largely remained inaccessible and unresponsive to the plight of communities at the frontline of the  climate crisis.

Reiterating that the magnitude of losses and damages will continue to grow unless urgent actions to cut on emissions by developed countries are instituted alongside stronger accountability oversights.

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