The COP29 is in progress in Baku, Azerbaijan and Malawi is attending, carrying on its shoulders the heavy baggage of climate disasters that have battered this country in succession and from which Malawi is struggling to recover. Losses and damage in these climate disasters are usually confined to what can been seen such as houses or crops. But there are also non-economic losses and damages too such as culture and identity. So, what do Malawian representatives at COP29 want to see? CHARLES MPAKA sent questions to Chimwemwe Sakunda Ndhlovu, National Coordinator for Cadecom/Caritas Malawi of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi for her perspectives. Excerpts:
We had the Loss and Damage Fund where $100 billion was supposed to be paid out every year between 2009 and 2022. Of course, not much has happened in terms of funds disbursement. Now, we are having the Loss and Damage Fund being overhauled to become New Collective Quantified Goal. From what you have gathered there, what is this all about? What difference does it bring?
Initially, the Loss and Damage Fund was aimed at providing $100 billion per year to help developing countries cope with climate impacts especially now that they are becoming more frequent. However, there has not been much contribution to the funds and accessibility remains a challenge to some. The fund was intended to address the irreversible damages in vulnerable countries caused by weather events such as droughts, flooding, tropical cyclones and rising of sea levels, among others.
The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is intended to replace the Loss and Damage Fund by setting up a new financing target beyond the initial $100 billion. This new goal aims to bring greater financial commitments from developed countries, with funding needs estimated in trillions rather than billions to more adequately meet ever-escalating needs on climate impacts today. The goal seeks to take a more inclusive and ambitious approach like involvement of private sector among other innovative financial mechanisms to meet higher financing goals.
So, the key difference will be that the goal is expected to be larger with more comprehensive targets that reflect the current needs. It will also be more inclusive as it brings in both public and private investments. It is also expected to improve the mechanisms on management of the funds i.e. being more accessible to the Global South. The goal, apart from loss and damage, will also include broader adaptation and mitigation needs which will at least provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to climate change issues.
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The report you did about disaster recovery challenges in Maseya Village in Chikwawa District is illuminating. In your assessment, why is paying equal attention to Non-Economic Losses and Damages [Neld] important in the bigger scheme of the agenda of recovery from climate disasters?
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Neld has been overlooked since loss and damage discussion started. However, it is very crucial as it broadens the perspective of what communities truly lose and need to recover. To me this is usually what is at the heart of those affected as it touches on their identity and/or traditions/spiritual being. Without addressing these, communities often feel unsupported even if economic recovery is addressed. Addressing Neld allows communities to heal and reconnect with their roots, reinforcing social stability.
Climate shocks can lead to severe psychological trauma and disrupt social bonds like what we witnessed during the Cyclone Freddy. Addressing this will thus help those affected regain their mental well-being and hope which is key for long-term resilience.
Cadecom is one of the major players on climate change issues in Malawi. You are at COP29. What is it that you want to see happen or agreed there for you to say this COP is successful for communities whose plight your organisation works to alleviate here in Malawi?
I would like to see more funding towards the new goal and the operationalisation of the fund. We are also looking forward to see the integration of debt restructuring in the climate financing since many countries in the Global South are also in debt crisis which is also highly linked to the current humanitarian/climate crisis.
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Have you ever been optimistic about developed countries really making the funds available? What would you want the developing countries themselves like Malawi to do on their own for their people?
As someone from the Global South, I remain optimistic. With collective and continued advocacy, this is possible.
We need to begin talking about both economic and non-economic loss and damage. Let’s provide information and evidence that loss and damage financing is critical in addressing climate change impacts. We should also highlight the need to talk about Neld. Let’s not forget to communicate how this disproportionately affect different categories of people including women and children and other vulnerable groups.
Continued advocacy for climate financing in general is required. We need to embrace the principles of subsidiarity to ensure decisions on funding are made at the lowest level possible including the affected communities themselves.
Above all, let’s empower our communities to take lead on environmental protection and restoration.
Lastly but not least, let’s talk less and act more because as we talk people are dying from the effects of climate change.
